Camp Sussex was the largest Military Base in Atlantic Canada. It was officially opened in 1893. However, the land had been used for training by local militias as early as the 1870s. For example, the 8th Princess Louise's New Brunswick Regiment of Cavalry trained on the grounds in 1885; there were so many men in attendance that the band was brought in for the duration of the Regiment’s time in Camp. In addition to this, the regiment would parade at the future camp in 1889. As the decades passed, Camp Sussex would become the premier military training installation of the Maritimes until it was eclipsed, and eventually shut down in the 1970s, by the opening of CFB Gagetown. The area chosen by the Dominion Government in 1893 for the Militia Camp was located near the heart of the Town of Sussex. The Camp Ground’s terrain consisted of field, forest, and stream. The terrain would be suitable for cavalry, infantry, and artillery. The most prominent cavalry regiment at Camp Sussex were the 8th Hussars. The 74th Battalion trained at the camp every year until the regiment was disbanded following the Second World War. The Newcastle and Woodstock artillery regiments frequented Camp Sussex numerous times. However, training in these early decades would be performed mostly in the summer and fall months as the camp had no permanent buildings. For the cavalry, this allowed them to perform drills in the dry summer months, which helped prevent injury to horse and rider.
For the men attending camp, they would make use of the Bell tent, with 10 men assigned per tent. Eventually, these tents would be mounted on a wooden base to keep the men and their equipment off the damp ground. The first permanent structure that came to Camp Sussex was the Armoury. It was built in 1904 by the Dominion Government. The Armoury would be assigned to the 74th Battalion and the 8th Hussars to use for storage and supplies. This building would remain in service until after the Second World War.
In the years leading up to the First World War, militia training would reach its zenith at Camp Sussex. This is despite the fact that a soldier’s pay was often negligible. For example, a soldier in the 74th Battalion could receive anywhere from 0.50 to 0.85 cents per day in 1907. The 8th Hussars used a comparable pay structure. However, the Hussars could receive an extra $1.50 as the Government would rent their horses. Notwithstanding the low wages, many militia regiments would train in Camp Sussex leading up to the First World War. Annual militia training was a key component of Dominion defense; as such, the militia regiments were mobilized annually to take part in 1 to 2 weeks of training in the summer. This annual training did not preclude the regiment’s from conducting their own training camps throughout the year. In Military District No. 7, New Brunswick, this annual training often saw over 1000 men gathered in Camp Sussex to perform drills, practice their shooting, and go on parade.
In the years leading up to the First World War, militia training would reach its zenith at Camp Sussex. This is despite the fact that a soldier’s pay was often negligible. For example, a soldier in the 74th Battalion could receive anywhere from 0.50 to 0.85 cents per day in 1907. The 8th Hussars used a comparable pay structure. However, the Hussars could receive an extra $1.50 as the Government would rent their horses. Notwithstanding the low wages, many militia regiments would train in Camp Sussex leading up to the First World War. Annual militia training was a key component of Dominion defense; as such, the militia regiments were mobilized annually to take part in 1 to 2 weeks of training in the summer. This annual training did not preclude the regiment’s from conducting their own training camps throughout the year. In Military District No. 7, New Brunswick, this annual training often saw over 1000 men gathered in Camp Sussex to perform drills, practice their shooting, and go on parade.
As a result, the annual militia training became a local attraction for the citizens of the Town of Sussex and the surrounding countryside. A lively social life was struck up centering around the officers and men in Camp Sussex. The Cavalry charges and ceremonies often brought out the men and ladies of the town to watch. For example, the Camp held a parade, which many people flocked to attend, on 22 June 1911 to celebrate the Coronation of King George V. These were the idyllic years of Camp Sussex; however, they were not to last, the Camp was about to undergo a metamorphosis in the explosive years of the First World War.
The First World War would highlight the importance of Camp Sussex. For example, a Serbian Mobilization Battalion was established at the camp to train Serbs for combat. Besides this, 1000s of men would be shipped by train through the Sussex train station and into the Camp. Some of these regiments were: the 55th Battalion, 104th Overseas Battalion, 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion, 74th Battalion (New Brunswick Rangers), 64th Battalion (The Princess Louise Fusiliers). These regiments all made Camp Sussex their home before they embarked for the United Kingdom, and the battlefields of Europe. The training done by these men was done primarily in a Camp with few permanent buildings. While there were some dining halls for the officers and administrative buildings, the men would spend most of their time in the Bell tents used since the Camp opened.
As the First World War approached its final year, the Canadian Government placed an emphasis on recruiting more soldiers. In response, the 1st Mobilization Depot Battalion was raised and headquartered at Camp Sussex in April of 1918. Their task was to increase the number of recruits training to replace those men lost at the front. Overseeing the Battalion was Lieutenant-Colonel James McAvity. However, the establishment of the Depot Battalion would be the last great development at Camp Sussex for the next two decades.
As the First World War approached its final year, the Canadian Government placed an emphasis on recruiting more soldiers. In response, the 1st Mobilization Depot Battalion was raised and headquartered at Camp Sussex in April of 1918. Their task was to increase the number of recruits training to replace those men lost at the front. Overseeing the Battalion was Lieutenant-Colonel James McAvity. However, the establishment of the Depot Battalion would be the last great development at Camp Sussex for the next two decades.