For some, the events surrounding World War II might seem distant, but that couldn’t be further from the truth in Canada. Over a million Canadians enlisted, undergoing training, departing from, and later returning to Calgary to recover. The city still preserves numerous landmarks that serve as powerful reminders of this pivotal past. More details follow on calgaryes.
The Mewata Armory
The Mewata Armory is a National Historic Site located right in the heart of downtown Calgary. When World War II began in 1939, it was within this building that young men gathered to enlist for military service. Originally constructed during World War I, the Armory’s walls have seen countless soldiers hone their skills.
The Mewata Armory became synonymous with army recruitment. Josh Traptow, Executive Director of Heritage Calgary, noted that it remains the last large armory in Southern Alberta still in active use.
Currie Barracks
Calgarians are well-acquainted with Currie Barracks, now a residential neighbourhood in the city’s southwest quadrant. The area is situated on the former Canadian Forces Base Calgary, named after General Sir Arthur Currie. Currie Barracks falls within Ward 8 of the Calgary City Council, and according to the Calgary municipal census, 1,262 people reside in the Currie Barracks neighbourhood.
The military base at Currie Barracks played a key role during World War II. Photographs of the site are preserved in the Glenbow Archives at the University of Calgary. Soldiers either lived on the base or in nearby accommodation just outside the gates. Currie Barracks housed all the regiments and was the primary location for training, including live-fire exercises.
It is worth noting that despite official government announcements about clearing the land of unexploded ordnance (UXO), signs warning of the danger can still be seen today. These signs are placed along the banks of the Elbow River.
Calgary Military Aerodrome
Adjacent to Currie Barracks was the airfield—Currie Field, or the Calgary Military Aerodrome. This site established a flight school as part of the massive British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). The airport was closed in the 1960s as part of the transformation of internal facilities. The historical area, which later became known as CFB Calgary, went through several phases of development (Sarcee Barracks and Currie Barracks).
- The official closure of CFB Calgary occurred in 1997 (though effectively in 1998). The decision to close the Canadian military base in Calgary was officially announced in the 1996 federal budget. The main reason was the Canadian government’s drive to consolidate military units into significantly fewer facilities to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. The majority of the personnel and units at CFB Calgary were relocated to CFB Edmonton in Edmonton, Alberta. The closure of the Canadian military base was a significant event for Calgarians.
- The next phase involved preserving the buildings and commencing redevelopment by the Canada Lands Company. These structures are a vital part of Calgary’s heritage, reflecting the city’s military history. It is now difficult to precisely list all preserved buildings, as administrative offices, residences, and structures with architectural or historical value were often integrated into the new development plan.
- The only official military presence on the former CFB Calgary grounds today is a depot and the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC). The MFRC is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides services to Canadian Armed Forces members (active and veteran) and their families in Southern Alberta, including Calgary, Red Deer, and Lethbridge. Support for service members includes psychological assistance, personal and family counseling, programs for children and youth, health and mental well-being initiatives, personal development seminars, and various social events.
SAIT’s Heritage Hall
The Provincial Institute of Technology and Art (PITA), now SAIT, took on a different role after the start of World War II. Heritage Hall housed the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. A specialized school was also established to train aircrew as radio operators. Interestingly, the courses in Heritage Hall were attended not only by Canadians but also by radio operators from Australia and New Zealand.
For the Institute’s students, this meant one thing: relocation to the Stampede grounds. Students spent the majority of World War II taking classes there.
The building still stands today, and the polytechnic institute has since celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The Municipal Airport
As World War II began, Calgary was nearing the completion of its new Municipal Airport. In 1940, federal government representatives took control of the site. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was transferred here. Pilots trained at the aerodrome and marched on the grounds of the neighbouring training centre.
An intriguing fact is that the U.S. government purchased a quarter section of the Municipal Airport land to build its own hangar. This location played a crucial role in the Lend-Lease program during World War II (launched in March 1941). It was one of the key stops on the so-called “ALSIB – Alaska-Siberia Airway” route. Under this program, the USSR received over 14,000 aircraft, including P-39 and P-63 fighters.
Thus, Calgary served as a vital hub along the aircraft ferry route at the time, functioning as a service centre. Inspections, minor repairs, and refuelling were carried out in the hangar. Planes in Calgary were prepared for the most challenging and remote leg of the journey.
Among the available photographs, the old Municipal Airport hangar, which survives to this day, and a training hall can be seen. Interestingly, the Aerospace Museum of Calgary is located right in the Calgary hangar (4629 McCall Way), serving as another enduring reminder of the past.
The Ogden Shops
Initially, the Ogden Shops stored railway locomotives, but the mission changed after the war began. During World War II, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Ogden Shops manufactured naval guns and ammunition. At peak hours, nearly 2,500 men could be working in the shops. The guns produced here were subsequently installed on Canadian warships. Historians have analyzed the role of Calgary and the Ogden Shops specifically, noting that without the guns and ammunition, the number of casualties would have been significantly higher.
After the conclusion of World War II, the CPR Ogden Shops returned to their usual operation.
Colonel Belcher Hospital
We conclude this list of places that remind us of World War II in Calgary with the Colonel Belcher Hospital. It was established during World War I to treat wounded soldiers. After the outbreak of World War II, the government quickly realized the urgent need for a new location for the wounded. Construction of a new facility began in 1942 at the corner of 4th Street and 12th Avenue. The hospital opened a year later, with plans for expansion developed concurrently.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Defence purchased the nearby Burns Estate, building a new hospital there. Soldiers recovered and regained their strength at the Burns Estate. More than 375 patients were treated at the Belcher Hospital by the end of World War II.
The number of veterans gradually declined, and the building aged. It was demolished in the late 1990s. Today, the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre stands on the site of the former Belcher Hospital in Calgary. In 2003, a new facility—the Colonel Belcher Long Term Care Centre—was opened in Parkdale. A few Canadian veterans are still under the care of the Colonel Belcher facility.