Up-Park Camp facts for kids
Up-Park Camp is a very important military base in Kingston, Jamaica. For a long time, it was the main base for the British Army in Jamaica. This was from the late 1700s until Jamaica became an independent country in 1962. After that, it became the main home for Jamaica's own army, called the Jamaica Defence Force. The camp even has a special landing area for helicopters, known as a heliport, which the Jamaica Defence Force uses.
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History of Up-Park Camp
Early Days and Challenges
When the British Army was in Jamaica, many soldiers got very sick. Sadly, a lot of them died, especially from a serious illness called yellow fever. To help with this, the British government's army department, known as the War Department, bought a large piece of land in 1784. This land was 156-acre (0.63 km2) and was called Up Park Pen. They wanted to build army living quarters, or barracks, there.
Moving to Higher Ground
Even after building the barracks, soldiers still faced many health problems. The situation only got better when many soldiers were moved to a special base high up in the mountains. This place was called Newcastle, located in the cool Blue Mountains. Being in the cooler mountain air helped them stay healthier.
Growth of the Camp
Over time, Up-Park Camp grew bigger. During the 1800s, it became a key base for different army groups, including the West India Regiments. These regiments were made up of soldiers from the Caribbean.
