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The Beatty Street Drill Hall is a
The building was designed by architect T.W. Fuller and opened on 30 September 1901 by the
"History 2290 BCR Army Cadet Corps,"
2290 BCR Army Cadet Corps page on the DND website. Retrieved 24 March 2007.
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; , FAC) are the unified Military, military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Under the ''National Defenc ...
armoury located at 620 Beatty Street in Vancouver
Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...
, British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...
. It is the home of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own), an armoured reconnaissance
In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...
reserve regiment, the oldest military unit in Vancouver, and the most senior militia in the province.
Architecture
The building was designed by architect T.W. Fuller and opened on 30 September 1901 by the Duke of Cornwall
Duke of Cornwall () is a title in the Peerage of England, traditionally held by the eldest son of the reigning Monarchy of the United Kingdom, British monarch, previously the English monarch. The Duchy of Cornwall was the first duchy created i ...
(later King George V
George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936.
George was born during the reign of his pa ...
). With two large castle-like turrets complete with battlements, and two tanks and a 64-pounder gun
A gun is a device that Propulsion, propels a projectile using pressure or explosive force. The projectiles are typically solid, but can also be pressurized liquid (e.g. in water guns or water cannon, cannons), or gas (e.g. light-gas gun). So ...
alongside the large white structure, Beatty Street Drill Hall has long been a Vancouver landmark and is listed as a class-A heritage building. The walls are three and a half feet thick, and the building rests on huge granite blocks. Limestone from Gabriola Island was used for the parapet and it features a rusticated stone trim.
The Drill Hall includes a parade square, offices, and store rooms. It formerly contained a firing range and bowling alley. Originally, the Cambie Street Grounds, now a parking lot across the street, was also used as part of the regiment's training facilities.
Memorials
A stone cairn was dedicated to the local war dead of the First and Second World Wars and the local veterans of the Korean War and peacekeeping. Presented by the grateful Dutch Canadians of Vancouver in 1970, a copper plaque is dedicated to the memory of the B.C. Regiment who helped liberate Holland in the 1944 - 1945 campaign. A wooden Celtic cross was dedicated to the officers, NCO's and men who fell at Vimy Ridge. A plaque was erected by their fellow officers and men in honour of the men of the 28th Canadian Armoured Regiment who died while serving in the Second World War. A plaque is dedicated to members of the 6th Regiment Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles who lost their lives in South African War of 1899 - 1902. A plaque was dedicated to Lt. Colonel George McSpadden and the fallen heroes of the 11th Regiment Irish Fusiliers of Canada. A plaque was dedicated 17 October 1994 to commemorate the affiliation of and the B.C. Regiment.Regimental Museum of the BC Regiment
The Regimental Museum of the BC Regiment (DCO) is housed in the Beatty Street Drill Hall,Metro Vancouver
The Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD), or simply Metro Vancouver, is a Canadian political subdivision and Corporation, corporate entity representing the metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver, designated by provincial legislation as o ...
. Military displays date back to 1883, including uniforms, weapons, medals, Nazi
Nazism (), formally named National Socialism (NS; , ), is the far-right politics, far-right Totalitarianism, totalitarian socio-political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany. During H ...
regalia
Regalia ( ) is the set of emblems, symbols, or paraphernalia indicative of royal status, as well as rights, prerogatives and privileges enjoyed by a sovereign, regardless of title. The word originally referred to the elaborate formal dress and ...
, and a large collection of photographs documenting the history and artifacts of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) and the Beatty Street Drill Hall. The museum was established in 1982 and is open to the public Wednesdays. In addition to the BC Regiment (DCO), the 2290 British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) Cadet Corps also parades at the armoury.2290 BCR Army Cadet Corps page on the DND website. Retrieved 24 March 2007.
See also
* List of armouries in Canada * List of heritage buildings in VancouverReferences
External links
* {{Canadian Forces Armouries in Canada Museums in Vancouver Canadian Forces bases in British Columbia Regimental museums in Canada Heritage buildings in Vancouver Drill halls in Canada British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)