In November 2014, the Department of National Defence received $452 million for the repair and upgrade of Canadian Armed Forces facilities. Revitalized defence infrastructure across Canada will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the facilities they need to provide support to troops and military families, to support the Reserve forces, to support operations at home and abroad, and to ensure the health and safety of our men and women in uniform.
The Department of National Defence has identified an opportunity to perform a number of improvements at its aging armouries across Canada. Over the next two years, $135 million will be invested in projects to repair roofs, siding, plumbing, and heating and ventilation systems.
Built in 1896, the New Westminster Armoury is a beautiful white wooden structure of the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style. It is home to the Royal Westminster Regiment, whose soldiers saw more combat than any other Canadian fighting unit during the Second World War. In addition, the Armoury houses the Regimental Museum. There are five Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps affiliated with the Regiment.
The Royal Westminster Regiment, formed in 1910, is an Army Reserve infantry unit of the 39 Canadian Brigade Group (39 CBG). The 39 CBG is the largest Army formation in British Columbia, with 11 units throughout the province. The Brigade is a force generator that recruits, trains, and retains Reserve soldiers and leaders in support of domestic and international operations. In addition to fighting during the First World War and the Second World War, some 45 soldiers of the Regiment have participated in Afghanistan operations. Unfortunately, the Regiment lost one soldier. Master Corporal Colin Bason was killed on July 4, 2007.
The Regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief is The Duke of Westminster, Colonel Gerald Grosvenor. The title Duke of Westminster was created by Queen Victoria in 1874 and bestowed upon Hugh Grosvenor, 3rd Marquees of Westminster.
Address:
The Royal Westminster Regiment
533 Queens Avenue, New Westminster, V3L 1K3
