CFB London

Canadian Forces Base London (also CFB London) is a former Canadian Forces Base that was located in London, Ontario. 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.

History

The Wolseley Barracks was established in the 1880s on the outskirts of London when the city traded the John Carling 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.

Wolseley Barracks was named for Field Marshal Garnet 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 that year to CFB Petawawa and the full-time military presence at the facility was reduced to Area Support Unit London (ASU London), which functioned to support reserve units in the southwestern Ontario region for Land Forces Central Area.

In addition to its 4th Battalion at ASU London, The Royal Canadian Regiment continues to maintain its Regimental Headquarters and The RCR Museum at Wolseley Barracks, in Wolseley Hall.

Parts of the Wolseley Barracks and associated properties have been sold off and redeveloped in recent years.

External links

* [http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=1554 ASU London Consolidation]
* [http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=1555 ASU London to be Consolidated at Wolseley Barracks]
* [http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/LF/ENGLISH/7_0.asp?action=City&id=39&ProvID=5 Canadian Army Units - London, Ontario]