Sussex Military Camp
Encyclopedia
The Sussex Military Camp, frequently shortened to Camp Sussex, was a training facility for the Permanent Active Militia and Non-Permanent Active Militia, later known as the Canadian Army
. It was located on the southeastern edge of the town of Sussex, New Brunswick
.
Camp Sussex was established in May 1885 when New Brunswick militia
units assembled in a large tented camp at the site south of the Intercolonial Railway mainline to prepare for service in the North West Rebellion. Few permanent buildings were constructed, although a large area of forest and farm land was cleared on the flat floodplain in the Kennebecasis River
valley.
During World War I
, Camp Sussex hosted the First Training Battalion of the New Brunswick Regiment
, later renamed the 1st Depot Battalion in 1918.
The start of World War II
saw the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
authorized in 1940 under the command of Major-General E.W. Sansom. The army decided to concentrate the 3 CID in the Maritimes and one of the areas selected was Camp Sussex. The camp was enlarged to handle a brigade
with units arriving that fall for training. After the 3 CID units departed for overseas deployment, they were replaced by units from the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division
. Following deployment of the 4 CID, the 17th Infantry Brigade of the 7th Canadian Infantry Division
began to use the training facilities; the 7 CID being the general reserve for Atlantic Command
. In April 1943 the 17th Infantry Brigade consisted of the Victoria Rifles of Canada
, The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada and Les Voltigeurs de Quebec
. The A-34 Special Officer's Training Centre was established at Camp Sussex from 1944-1945 to train officers for the CANLOAN program
Following World War II, the Canadian Army used Camp Sussex as a minor facility for training reserve units in New Brunswick until the construction of Camp Gagetown
in the early 1950s at which time Camp Sussex was closed. Its land was purchased from the Department of National Defence
by the town of Sussex however few landmarks remain.
Modern-day Leonard Drive runs through the middle of the training camp and the modern Brigadier Milton Gregg VC Armoury has been constructed on a tiny portion of the former camp to house B Squadron 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's)
, a local armoured reserve unit. A nearby rifle range that dates to the days of Camp Sussex remains DND property but is not used for training. The most visible remnant of Camp Sussex is a former tank
hangar, now used by the New Brunswick Agricultural Museum.
History of the Canadian Army
The Canadian Army as such originally only existed under that name from November 1940 to February 1968. However, the term has been traditionally applied to the ground forces of Canada's military from Confederation in 1867 to the present...
. It was located on the southeastern edge of the town of Sussex, New Brunswick
Sussex, New Brunswick
Sussex is a Canadian town in Kings County, New Brunswick.Sussex straddles the Kennebecasis River, 70 km northeast of Saint John, and is a major dairy products producer in the province...
.
Camp Sussex was established in May 1885 when New Brunswick militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
units assembled in a large tented camp at the site south of the Intercolonial Railway mainline to prepare for service in the North West Rebellion. Few permanent buildings were constructed, although a large area of forest and farm land was cleared on the flat floodplain in the Kennebecasis River
Kennebecasis River
The Kennebecasis River is a tributary of the Saint John River in southern New Brunswick, Canada. The name Kennebecasis is thought to be derived from the Mi'kmaq "Kenepekachiachk", meaning "little long bay place." It runs for approximately 95 kilometres, draining an area in the Caledonia Highlands,...
valley.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Camp Sussex hosted the First Training Battalion of the New Brunswick Regiment
The Royal New Brunswick Regiment
The Royal New Brunswick Regiment is a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces based in New Brunswick. It consists of two battalions, both of which are part of 37 Canadian Brigade Group. The regiment as it is now, was formed in 1954 by the amalgamation of the Carleton and York Regiment,...
, later renamed the 1st Depot Battalion in 1918.
The start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
saw the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
3rd Canadian Infantry Division
The Canadian 3rd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army from 1940 to c.1945.- History :The formation of the division was authorized on 17 May 1940...
authorized in 1940 under the command of Major-General E.W. Sansom. The army decided to concentrate the 3 CID in the Maritimes and one of the areas selected was Camp Sussex. The camp was enlarged to handle a brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
with units arriving that fall for training. After the 3 CID units departed for overseas deployment, they were replaced by units from the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division
4th Canadian (Armoured) Division
The 4th Canadian Division was created by the conversion of the 4th Canadian Infantry Division at the beginning of 1942 in Canada. The division proceeded overseas in 1942, with its two main convoys reaching the United Kingdom in August and October....
. Following deployment of the 4 CID, the 17th Infantry Brigade of the 7th Canadian Infantry Division
7th Canadian Infantry Division
The 7th Infantry Division of the Canadian Army was mobilized in the spring of 1942 and assigned for home defence within Atlantic Command.At the time is was assumed it would consist of volunteers and proceed overseas...
began to use the training facilities; the 7 CID being the general reserve for Atlantic Command
Atlantic Command (Canadian Army)
Atlantic Command was a formation of the Canadian Army created during the Second World War to strengthen and administer home defence facilities on Canada's Atlantic Coast.A second major function was to train reinforcements to be sent to...
. In April 1943 the 17th Infantry Brigade consisted of the Victoria Rifles of Canada
Victoria Rifles of Canada
The Victoria Rifles of Canada was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army...
, The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada and Les Voltigeurs de Quebec
Les Voltigeurs de Québec
Les Voltigeurs de Québec is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The name of the regiment commemorates another older French-Canadian militia light infantry unit, the Canadian Voltigeurs...
. The A-34 Special Officer's Training Centre was established at Camp Sussex from 1944-1945 to train officers for the CANLOAN program
Following World War II, the Canadian Army used Camp Sussex as a minor facility for training reserve units in New Brunswick until the construction of Camp Gagetown
CFB Gagetown
Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, referred to as CFB Gagetown is a large Canadian Forces Base located in southwestern New Brunswick.- Construction of the base :...
in the early 1950s at which time Camp Sussex was closed. Its land was purchased from the Department of National Defence
Department of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
by the town of Sussex however few landmarks remain.
Modern-day Leonard Drive runs through the middle of the training camp and the modern Brigadier Milton Gregg VC Armoury has been constructed on a tiny portion of the former camp to house B Squadron 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's)
8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's)
The 8th Canadian Hussars is one of the longest serving armoured regiments in the Canadian Army. A Squadron being Regular Force served in CFB Gagetown and B, C and HQ Squadrons served in Sussex, Moncton and Sackville...
, a local armoured reserve unit. A nearby rifle range that dates to the days of Camp Sussex remains DND property but is not used for training. The most visible remnant of Camp Sussex is a former tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
hangar, now used by the New Brunswick Agricultural Museum.