The Armoury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Armoury |
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The Armoury
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| General information | |
| Type | Drill Hall / armoury |
| Location | New Westminster, British Columbia |
| Address | 530 Queens Avenue |
| Coordinates | 49°12′26″N 122°54′44″W / 49.2072°N 122.9121°W |
| Current tenants | The Royal Westminster Regiment |
| Inaugurated | 1896 |
| Renovated | 1898 (gun room) |
| Owner | Canadian Armed Forces |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Floor area | 1,400 square feet |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Thomas Fuller |
| Structural engineer | David Bain |
The Armoury, sometimes called The Armouries, is a historic military building in New Westminster, British Columbia. Located at 530 Queens Avenue, it is a special place for the Canadian Armed Forces. It is the oldest wooden military building in Canada that is still in use today.
The Armoury is the official home of The Royal Westminster Regiment. This is a reserve infantry unit, which means its members are part-time soldiers who train to serve their country.
Contents
A Building That Survived a Great Fire
The Armoury is made of wood and is one of the few buildings in New Westminster that survived a huge fire in 1898. Even though it is one building, soldiers in the regiment often call it "The Armouries."
Construction on the building started in 1895. A contractor named David Bain built it based on designs by architect Thomas Fuller. The main building was finished in 1896, and a special Gun Room was added in 1898.
Inside, there is a large open space called a parade square where soldiers practice drills. The building also has a museum, offices, and storage rooms. It also has special dining rooms for officers and sergeants. The Canadian government has named it a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical importance.
Home of a Famous Regiment
The first group of volunteer soldiers in New Westminster was formed way back in 1863. The Armoury has been the headquarters for the local regiment ever since, including during World War I and World War II.
During World War II, the soldiers of the Westminster Regiment fought in many battles in Italy. They were known for their bravery and spent more time in continuous combat than any other Canadian unit. In 1966, Queen Elizabeth II gave the regiment the special title "Royal" to honor its amazing service.
Remembering Heroes
Outside The Armoury, there are two stone monuments called cairns. One cairn honors two very brave soldiers from the regiment: Major John Keefer Mahony and Acting Corporal Filip Konowal. Both men received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for bravery.
The other cairn is dedicated to the entire Royal Westminster Regiment. Both monuments used to have copper plaques, but they were stolen. They have since been replaced with new plaques carved from marble.
You can also see some historic military equipment outside. On one side of the entrance is a large cannon from the 1800s. It was once on a British warship. On the other side is a Universal Carrier, an armored vehicle that was often called a Bren Gun Carrier.
A Museum Inside the Armoury
The Royal Westminster Regimental Museum is located inside The Armoury, in the room that was originally the Gun Room. The museum opened in 1973 to share the history of the soldiers from New Westminster.
It tells the stories of many military groups, including the first Westminster Volunteer Rifles from 1863. The museum has displays of old uniforms, medals, weapons, and photos. These items help preserve the history of the brave people who have served in the regiment.
See also
- List of Armouries in Canada
