WATCH ABOVE: The tribute at Signal Hill celebrated it’s 100th anniversary to commemorate Calgary’s contribution in WWI. More than 40 000 soldiers were trained at the camp and now one city councillor is pushing for national recognition. Carolyn Kury De Castillo Reports.
A special event was held in Calgary Sunday to remember World War One soldiers who trained here.
The tribute at Signal Hill marked the 100th anniversary of the stone markers and the camp the soldiers trained at.
A century ago it was the second largest military site in the country.
“The Canadian Army at the time was just over 3,000 plus with a small Navy,” said event organizer Phyllis Wheaton.
“So the fact that Alberta alone and just Calgary alone was able to train over 40,000 men was quite an accomplishment – an incredible event in history.”
The area became Sarcee Camp in 1915 on land leased from the Tsuu T’ina Nation.
More than 40,000 troops trained at the camp during the first world war – more than 6,000 never came home and half returned wounded.
“Men who trained here were not career soldiers,” said Wheaton.
“This was the beginning of our Military, and they were farmers and teachers and laborers and clerks and office workers. They didn’t know what military life was like.”
Members of Alberta battalions hauled up to 20,000 stones – laid out to represent their regiment numbers.
Councillor Richard Pootmans has drafted a motion that would designate the numbers a municipal historic resource. He also wants “national” designation to help secure funding to maintain the area.
“This site is tremendously important,” said Pootmans.
“This is where the soldiers from Western Canada were gathered in the first world war, and I think very much a part of nation building.”
“We contributed significantly in terms of tens of thousands of soldiers that were trained at the site and sent overseas to awful trench warfare.”
The motion goes to city council on Monday.
– With files from Carolyn Kury De Castillo
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