CFB London
Encyclopedia
Canadian Forces Base London (also CFB London) is a former Canadian Forces Base
that was located in London
, Ontario
, Canada
. It was downsized and closed during defence budget cutbacks in the 1990s. Local Primary Reserve
units are now supported by Area Support Unit (ASU) London which is located in some of the remaining base buildings.
As the site of the first purpose-built infantry training school erected by the federal government and an early symbol of the establishment of a permanent military force in Canada, part of the base was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1963.
farm property on "Carling Heights" for the downtown Victoria Park, which had been owned and occupied by the military up to that time. Wolseley Barracks became the home of "C" Company of the (Canadian) Infantry School Corps with the completion of Wolseley Hall in 1886. The Infantry School Corps later became The Royal Canadian Regiment
. Wolseley Hall was the first structure purposely built by the Canadian Government for a unit of the new Permanent Force. It was the headquarters of Number-1 District Depot in 1939 when war was declared on Germany. Servicemen with the prefix "A" in front of their Second World War service numbers were processed here.
Wolseley Barracks was named for Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley and was used for training regular and reserve units of the Canadian Army since its establishment. Various buildings were constructed on the property although many have since been demolished as the site reverts to civilian use. The two oldest structures on base are Wolseley Hall and the Royal School Building. The newest building on the property where the remaining logistics services of ASU London are consolidated, is the Captain Neil Logistics Facility.
Wolseley Barracks was renamed Canadian Forces Base London (CFB London) on April 1, 1966 in advance of the unification of all military services
that would form the Canadian Forces
.
Originally part of Material Command, CFB London supported the 27 Ordnance Depot and the First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
(1RCR). On November 1, 1968, CFB London transferred to Mobile Command
.
In 1992 the base was downsized from a Canadian Forces Base to a detachment of CFB Toronto. 1RCR moved later that year to CFB Petawawa
.
On 1 April 1996 Detachment London closed. Garrison Support Unit London (GSU London) was subsequently established at Wolseley Barracks to provide the local Reserve, Cadet and remaining Regular Force units with administrative and logistical support as an element of Land Forces Central Area. GSU London was re-named Area Support Unit London in 1998.
In addition to its 4th Battalion at ASU London, The Royal Canadian Regiment
continues to maintain the Royal Canadian Regiment Museum
at Wolseley Barracks, in the historic Wolseley Hall.
The south half of the Wolseley Barracks and associated properties have been sold off and redeveloped for housing in recent years. The former base gym is now the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre.
CFB London contains a recognized and a classified Federal Heritage building on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings.
Canadian Forces base
A Canadian Forces Base or CFB is a military installation of the Canadian Forces. For a facility to qualify as a Canadian Forces Base, it must station one or more major units .Minor installations are named Canadian Forces Station or CFS A Canadian Forces Base or CFB (French Base des forces...
that was located in London
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It was downsized and closed during defence budget cutbacks in the 1990s. Local Primary Reserve
Canadian Forces Primary Reserve
The Primary Reserve is a reserve force of the Canadian Forces. It is the largest of the four sub-components of the CF reserves; those being the Primary Reserve, the Supplementary Reserve, the Canadian Rangers, and the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service .The reserve force is...
units are now supported by Area Support Unit (ASU) London which is located in some of the remaining base buildings.
As the site of the first purpose-built infantry training school erected by the federal government and an early symbol of the establishment of a permanent military force in Canada, part of the base was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1963.
History
The Wolseley Barracks was established in the 1880s on the outskirts of London when the city traded the John CarlingJohn Carling
Sir John Carling, PC, KCMG of the Carling Brewery was a prominent politician and businessman from London, Ontario, Canada...
farm property on "Carling Heights" for the downtown Victoria Park, which had been owned and occupied by the military up to that time. Wolseley Barracks became the home of "C" Company of the (Canadian) Infantry School Corps with the completion of Wolseley Hall in 1886. The Infantry School Corps later became The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...
. Wolseley Hall was the first structure purposely built by the Canadian Government for a unit of the new Permanent Force. It was the headquarters of Number-1 District Depot in 1939 when war was declared on Germany. Servicemen with the prefix "A" in front of their Second World War service numbers were processed here.
Wolseley Barracks was named for Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley and was used for training regular and reserve units of the Canadian Army since its establishment. Various buildings were constructed on the property although many have since been demolished as the site reverts to civilian use. The two oldest structures on base are Wolseley Hall and the Royal School Building. The newest building on the property where the remaining logistics services of ASU London are consolidated, is the Captain Neil Logistics Facility.
Wolseley Barracks was renamed Canadian Forces Base London (CFB London) on April 1, 1966 in advance of the unification of all military services
Unification of the Canadian Forces
Unification of the Canadian Forces took place in 1968 when the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force were merged to form the Canadian Armed Forces....
that would form the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
.
Originally part of Material Command, CFB London supported the 27 Ordnance Depot and the First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...
(1RCR). On November 1, 1968, CFB London transferred to Mobile Command
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
.
In 1992 the base was downsized from a Canadian Forces Base to a detachment of CFB Toronto. 1RCR moved later that year to CFB Petawawa
CFB Petawawa
Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, commonly referred to as CFB Petawawa, or simply "Pet", is a Canadian Forces Base located in Petawawa, Ontario. It is operated as an army base by Canadian Forces Land Force Command.-Base facts:...
.
On 1 April 1996 Detachment London closed. Garrison Support Unit London (GSU London) was subsequently established at Wolseley Barracks to provide the local Reserve, Cadet and remaining Regular Force units with administrative and logistical support as an element of Land Forces Central Area. GSU London was re-named Area Support Unit London in 1998.
In addition to its 4th Battalion at ASU London, The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...
continues to maintain the Royal Canadian Regiment Museum
Royal Canadian Regiment Museum
The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum is a military museum located at Wolseley Barracks in London, Ontario, Canada, the historic home of the The Royal Canadian Regiment .-History:...
at Wolseley Barracks, in the historic Wolseley Hall.
The south half of the Wolseley Barracks and associated properties have been sold off and redeveloped for housing in recent years. The former base gym is now the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre.
CFB London contains a recognized and a classified Federal Heritage building on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings.
- Block A Classified - 1989
- Block O Recognized - 1992