30th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA

Morrison Artillery Park

30 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (30 RCA) is a unit of 33 Canadian Brigade Group (33 CBG), whose task is to augment Canada’s military with trained artillerymen and act as the National Capital Region’s salute troop.

30 RCA is always hiring intelligent, fit, and confident men and women with an interest in dynamic and challenging training as artillery soldiers. Primarily, new members are High School or University students with time to work one evening a week and one or two weekends a month during the school year (Sept – May). Within their first few years of service, new members must also be available to attend full-time courses during the summer (Jul-Aug) where technical skills are acquired for employment on operations and training during the part-time training year.

When you join our unit, you will receive competitive pay for your part time or full time work as well as be eligible for on the job training that could benefit you in civilian life. Also, there are medical, dental and educational benefits available to Army Reservists.

Here are all the details:

• Serve part time in the CAF
• Competitive pay
• On the job training
• Medical and dental benefits
• Paid education

• Commander: LCol Jennifer Causey 
• Regimental Sergeant Major: Chief Warrant Officer Peter Thibault 

30th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Morrison Artillery Park
307 De Niverville Rd
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

Phone: 613-993-7901

30th Field Regiment’s nickname, “The Bytown Gunners,” honours Ottawa, its hometown, which was originally named for its founder, Lieutenant-Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers, builder of the Rideau Canal. In September 1855, 30th Field Regiment was formed (as the volunteer Militia Field Battery of the City of Ottawa) to replace British troops withdrawn from the North American colonies to fight in the Crimean War.

30th Field Regiment is the oldest serving militia unit and the oldest military organization created by the Government of Canada. In 1866 and 1870, the 2nd Field Battery was called out for the Fenian Raids. The Bytown Gunners also contributed soldiers to the force that fought Louis Riel in 1885. 2nd Bty sent a two-gun section to the South African War in 1899.

In the First World War, the Bytown Gunners raised the 1st Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. The Brigade Surgeon, Major John McCrae was serving as an artillery officer in May 1915 when he wrote In Flanders Fields.

In the Second World War, the Ottawa Field Brigade produced four batteries for overseas service, of which three saw action with the fourth seeing action as coastal defence in anticipation of a Japanese invasion force. The batteries saw action in Italy, North-West Europe, and the failed raid at Dieppe. Two famous Bytown Gunners were the late Chief Justice of Canada, Brian Dickson who lost a leg in Normandy and the famous author, George Blackburn.

Bytown Gunners fought during the Korean Conflict, and have served on various UN/NATO missions around the globe. The Regiment takes pride in its duty as National Salute Troop, firing salutes for special occasions such as Remembrance Day and Canada Day. In recent years, 30th Field Regiment has deployed over 30 troops on operations to Afghanistan.

More History