"Preserving our Past for the Future since 1973"
The Association & Museum of the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's) Inc.
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CampSussex

8/2/2017

39 Comments

 

Lead-up to the Creation of Camp Sussex

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  • In 1794, the first New Brunswick Parliament created its own Militia Act. Men from age 16 to 60 were to attend annual musters to train for few days. No funds were provided, but absentees were fined

  • Camp Sussex became a focal point for militia around the province because of its central location, easy access to rail, long flat stretch of soil, and proximity to clean water for horses

  • In 1876, a soldier's daily pay started at 50 cents, but horses were paid 75 centsPay was not always available, and many times militia volunteers did not expect it or the provision of rations
  • At the time, soldiers were so short of rucksacks and other equipment that men had no method of carrying their daily rations
  • Due to the chronic lack of government funding, the Hussars built their own stables for the horses by collecting money from members of the regiment
  • The Brighton Engineers were formed in Woodstock in 1881. The following year, equipped only with five augers, seven axes, one handsaw and one crosscut saw, the Engineers cut 450 trees over two days, going on to build a 111 ft bridge across Trout Creek in just over four hours. The bridge was then tested by a horse pulling an artillery cannon across
  • Whereas soldiers were often transported by rail, sudden movements of railcars could give horses concussions and other injuries. As a result, many soldiers were against the rail transport of horses

The Heyday of the Militia

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  • In 1891, the area around what became Camp Sussex was thoroughly examined by military planners and became a potential candidate for the establishment of a military camp

  • Prior to the formal establishment of Camp Sussex, much of the land in the area was rented out for military use

  • In the Spring of 1893, the Dominion of Canada purchased Morrison Farm, a 344 acre site just east of the present-day Town of Sussex, to be used for militia training. This date marked the formal establishment of Camp Sussex

  • 1894 - 1914 saw the greatest growth of the Canadian militia. In this time period, more men and horses were trained than ever before

  • The typical day of the militiaman began at 0530 and continued on until 2200 hours. A archetypal daily routine was as follows:

-Reveille: 5:30 AM
-Collection of Daily Rations: 6:00 AM
-Breakfast: 6:30 AM
-First Drill 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
-Officer Hour: 9:00 AM
-Second Drill: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
-Dinner: 12:30 PM
-Third Drill: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
-Tea: 5:00 PM
-Rations - Groceries: 5:30 PM
-Guard Mounting: 5:30 PM
-Retreat: 5:30 PM
-First Post: 9:00 PM
-Last Post: 9:30 PM
-Lights Out: 9:45 PM
  • Sick parade for ill soldiers was at 11:00 AM, but horses were to be attended to at 06:30 AM regardless of any ailments a soldier may have been suffering from

  • The loss of a horse would prompt an investigation and possibly even corrective action, as the animals were so valuable to the militia at the time. Nevertheless, there was a marked lack of veterinary kits

  • 1893 was the first year since 1881 that the Hussars could come to camp to train as a single unit. Before then, financial troubles made this difficult

  • The caretaker house was built in 1896, and permanent armouries in 1901. The rifle range was completed in 1906, and was in operation during both World Wars. During the same period the officer's mess, known as the Bungalow, was constructed and went on to become a major social hub in the Town of Sussex

  • In 1895, there were 395 horses stationed at Camp Sussex, but by the eve of WWI, that number increased to just over 1000

  • In 1897, members of the Militia represented the area at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee

  • As the camp became larger, brush clearing was conducted and dykes were built along Trout Creek. The Officers Bungalow

  • In 1913, no less than one-hundred automobiles visited the camp. The automobiles spooked horses, and many soldiers were sceptical of the new technology. Within three years, plans to manufacture tanks were being discussed

  • A company of 2nd (Special Service) battalion 2RCR was raised for the Boer War and consisted of 1000 men. Following the end of the Second Boer War, Camp Sussex served as one of the first military instillations to teach lessons learned from the conflict

  • Camp Sussex artillery fired a "feu de joie" for the Coronation of George V in June, 1911

  • In July 1914, on the eve of the First World War, military planners started to realize the size limitations of Camp Sussex and began to discuss construction of a new, larger military base in New Brunswick at either Gagetown or McGivney. However, the outbreak of the Great War in the following month shelved these plans for almost 40 years


The Interwar Years

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  • The first summer camp after the First World War took place in 1920; however, given that the public viewed the First World War as "the war to end all wars", there was very little support from the general population for any military activity

  • Soldiers would sometimes go on half pay to double the number of camp attendees. On one occasion all pay was forfeited to cover the expenses of the camp. This went on until the mid-1930's

  • In the summer of 1931, only the 8th Hussars and the 74th Battalion (New Brunswick Rangers) trained at Camp Sussex

  • Camp repairs were funded at the expense of unit officers, and the Federal Government gave only partial reimbursements

  • Between 1923 - 1926 funds were so restricted that camp attendance was often limited to officers and NCOs

  • Between 1931 - 1936 volunteer soldiers continued the military presence without pay

  • Nevertheless, the 8th Hussars traveled to a machine-gun competition in Valcartier and won the national competition, all at the expense of the commanding officerThe first training on motorized vehicles took place in 1936. Vehicles (mostly Model T Fords) were rented from local owners for $10.00 a day. Bootleggers'' cars that had been seized by the Mounties were also used. Many had rumble seats that the officers would stand up on. Naturally, many accidents occurred

WWI and WWII

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  • Shortly after the First World War broke out, Camp Sussex was established as the 1st Training Depot Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel James McAvity

  • Units established or trained in Camp Sussex during WWI included the 40th Battalion (Moncton), the 64th Battalion (Moncton), and the 104th Battalion (Sussex)

  • During the First World War, Camp Sussex hosted the Serbian Mobilization Camp, where Serbs recruited in Canada were mobilized before being sent overseas to fight in the Serbian Army.

  • During both World Wars, the camp rose to prominence due to its easy rail access and proximity to Halifax. Troops could be transported by rail from Sussex to Halifax in a single night, under the cover of darkness to aid in secrecy

  • During WWII, the camp was built to hold 10 000 men, so entire divisions could be moved in and out easily

  • Units trained in Camp Sussex during this time included the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Divisions

  • During WWII, it was common knowledge that once your husband was posted to Camp Sussex, it was not long until he was deployed overseas

  • By 1944, the camp focus changed to individual training of soldiers and became the A-34 Special Officers Training Center, under the command of Brigadier Milton Gregg, VC

  • At the conclusion of the Second World War, a significant portion of Camp Sussex was soon decommissioned. This meant that a large portion of the Camp infrastructure was sold or else demolished

  • Many of the buildings were towed across the frozen Trout Creek during the winter, as there was no bridge crossing Trout Creek until the 1970s. Other buildings were repurposed as homesteads on Peter Street

  • The larger buildings, including the Drill Halls, were repurposed as Sports Centres. One became the King's County Stadium, and the other was taken to Fredericton were it became the York Arena.

  • The Headquarters of Camp Sussex became the King's County Hospital.

  • The death of Camp Sussex was not swift, it continued until 1971, which saw the majority of the land that was formerly Camp Sussex sold to the Town Sussex. This land became what is today the Industrial Park, our ball parks, and the 8th Hussars Sports Centre.

  • The only remnants of Camp Sussex are the Gregg Armoury, which houses B Squadron of the 8th Hussars.


39 Comments
Richard,
9/5/2017 21:39:23

I remember the early years of 1970's that went beyond 1971. Just saying. The Sgt's Mess,Mess Hall, Barracks and the Drill Hall.

Reply
Joyce
9/6/2017 01:47:28

Sussex as military base was destroyed by town of Sussex that spent great amounts of money attracting short term business ..tore up the largest parade square in NB. 1957 saw 8hussars formed 2 regiments..hq was in Sussex attached to tank hanger that had Sherman tanks operating out of this WW2 hanger..until late70s camp Sussex was active military base with militia hussars numbering 300men and women serving..there was Sgt. Mess&officers mess&other old hospital was a military hospital for military ww2..many famous Canadian soldiers were of 104 & 8hussars ..had camp Sussex remained a military base town would have benefited. When gage town was established 1055 many evicted came to live in&arround sussex ...but the Canadian senate only chose 1053...the Saunders horse forerunner of hussars was a loyalist reg ..used Sussex as headquarters. Camp Sussex has been a historic place in history of New Brunswick. (Before confederation camp Sussex trained militias and the British regiments prior to 1867...

Reply
Richard
9/6/2017 11:08:03

Very nice comments.

joyce L bourgeois
4/1/2021 19:31:16

in the years of 1970s a batallion of the Black Watch of Canada were stationed at Camp Sussex under command of Major McDonald.

otty
10/24/2018 18:06:09

Colonel Kennedy of Hampton was instrumental in keeping the 8th hussars (princess louise) milita after WW2,with HQ in sussex, Csqn Sackville, Bsqn Hampton....Lt Colonel Otty Corbett who was commanding officer of the 8th Hussars from 1957 to _____, & served as hon colonel of regiment for many years. (Colonel Corbett was CO of militia regiment when the government of canada formed a regular regiment of 8th Hussars..quite an honour for the Sussex military camp ... militia regiment numbered 250 persons in sussex alone & number of reg force stationed in sussex 8th Hussars HQ....the tank hangar had 6 sherman battle tanks & mechanics etc. ..a tank track went around hospital,passed parade square etc.----lasted past time city allowed the 'chicken plucking plant' near the historic parade square & contributed to the 'turkeygate' during one 'exercise'. the militia 8th hussars contributed greatly to the people of Sussex,Sackville, Hampton and later Moncton.---- until 1979-80. Colonel Corbett (who had been awarded the MBE for actions with the North Shore (NB) Regiment during WW2) was a strong Colonel & instrumental in the forming of the regular regiment 8CH that kept the militia regiment relative&battle ready for many years. Colonel Corbett died in 1981.

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Have you ever heard rumors about the tunnels?

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Troy Middleton
8/30/2020 15:21:14

very interesting, my great grandfather (74th) and several other family members trained there over the years. It is a shame that most of the camp is gone. today it would have made a great museum.

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11/19/2020 12:56:11

I have heard rumor of tunnels once built as a part of the Sussex military camp. My childhood was filled of rumors and conspiracy of what could be found under the old camp. Has anyone else heard similar rumors?

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3/24/2021 09:47:50

Yes there are tunnels around but even more so huge a round water concrete storage tank was recently discovered in the industrial park area after part of the roof of it broke away revealing the hole. Water was pumped out to reveal it seemed like a cistern of some kind with heavy concrete support columns capped with corrugated steel and and concrete cap on it. I have pictures of how it was discovered and what's inside. It was too sketchy to explore so we covered it back up with sheet steel and dirt.

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    Welcome to the 8th Hussars Museum
     The 8th Hussars Museum is located in the historic Train Station in Sussex, NB. The building has been restored to its original grandeur and is situated in the hub of the Town of Sussex. The Victorian-era structure houses many of the important artifacts of the museum and is accessible to the general public. Since the later part of the 19th century, countless Hussars arrived by rail to train at Camp Sussex and later to serve in the South African War, WWI and WWII.
    The collection includes many items representing the life of the Regiment with original uniforms dating back to 1881, original Routine Orders dating back to 1893, memorabilia from members who represented the Regiment at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, WWI, WWII, UN/NATO peacekeeping tours as well as the Afghanistan engagement. Of particular interest are the flags from each of these eras. The Museum also proudly holds the original accouterments of HRH The Princess Royal who is Colonel Commandant of the Regiment.

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