Kapyong Barracks memories (Split Thread)

[R. Wpg. Rif.]

I am not even going to pretend, That I am qualified to add to this discussion, in the matter of what should be done for the future of the Canadian military.
But I do have to say, that is sure is sickening to watch the old Kapyong Barracks in Winnipeg, slowly falling apart.
The day they shut this base down, was a sad day indeed. It worked so well with the location and it's place in the community, for the families that were here, and the overall contribution to the local economy. The base is there, just add a unit!!

 

[dangerboy]

I am not even going to pretend, That I am qualified to add to this discussion, in the matter of what should be done for the future of the Canadian military.
But I do have to say, that is sure is sickening to watch the old Kapyong Barracks in Winnipeg, slowly falling apart.
The day they shut this base down, was a sad day indeed. It worked so well with the location and it's place in the community, for the families that were here, and the overall contribution to the local economy. The base is there, just add a unit!!

Unfortunately it needed a lot of upgrading to be able to meet the needs of a modern Infantry BN.

 

[OldSolduer]

Unfortunately it needed a lot of upgrading to be able to meet the needs of a modern Infantry BN.

From what I have heard it would need major upgrades even for 38 Bde units.

 

[pbi]

I had the pleasure to live in KB for six months in 2002 when I was initially posted on IR to 38 CBG HQ."Pleasure" because I was living with fellow Patricia's, not because of the state of the camp itself. That was crap and was quite obviously being allowed to run down by the RCAF who were pinching pennies as hard as they could go in light of the impending closure.

As Jim and Dangerboy commented, it was an outdated 1950's facility and would have cost a huge amount to upgrade. 2 PP is much better off in its new digs in Shilo.

38 CBG HQ was in the old Base Ration building across the street from the south edge of KB; it eventually moved up onto 17 Wing to occupy the old Wing HQ bldg. We never seriously considered moving into KB: my understanding was that Govt wanted to be rid of it.

I do agree that it was sad to see it standing empty and forgotten, especially the good times I enjoyed in the Mess as a guest of 2PP.

 

[PPCLI Guy]

I worked in KB from 88-91.  It was, indeed, a tad run down, but no worse than Pet was 5 years later.  The real value of KB was the sense of community - Bn lines far from the Bde was a good thing.....

 

[pbi]

I worked in KB from 88-91.  It was, indeed, a tad run down, but no worse than Pet was 5 years later.  The real value of KB was the sense of community - Bn lines far from the Bde was a good thing.....

Amen to that. The last Patricia mess. I started my Regimental duty in 3PP at Work Point, which was about as far away from Bde HQ as you could get. Mess life was great. We've lost something, I think.

 

[Edward Campbell]

I worked in KB from 88-91.  It was, indeed, a tad run down, but no worse than Pet was 5 years later.  The real value of KB was the sense of community - Bn lines far from the Bde was a good thing.....

Thus satisfying the 11th principle of war: Always site your HQ as far away from the next higher HQ as possible ... then hope for a comms failure so you can got one with your battle in peace.

 

[OldSolduer]

I worked in KB from 88-91.  It was, indeed, a tad run down, but no worse than Pet was 5 years later.  The real value of KB was the sense of community - Bn lines far from the Bde was a good thing.....

Kapyong Barracks was what I called "home" from 90-99. PPCLI Guy makes a good point. 2 VP was a tight knit unit because we were far away from Bde HQ plus we were the "red headed step kids" on 17 Wing. The ....activities....between the 2 VP JRC and 17 Wing JRC were legendary.

 

[Sigs Pig]

Kapyong Barracks was what I called "home" from 90-99. PPCLI Guy makes a good point. 2 VP was a tight knit unit because we were far away from Bde HQ plus we were the "red headed step kids" on 17 Wing. The ....activities....between the 2 VP JRC and 17 Wing JRC were legendary.

Ok sir, I then invite you and others to start a thread that will record these 'legends', they should be jotted down before forgotten. Already I am waiting in anticipation for some good reads!
Anytime I drive by there, I wonder what 'ghosts' are lurking inside the grounds.   

ME

 

[Kat Stevens]

The ghost of Max "the Axe" I'm sure still prowls the grounds, looking to leap on unsuspecting young troops and charge them for some imagined infraction of Max's Law.

 

[Sigs Pig]

The ghost of Max "the Axe" I'm sure still prowls the grounds, looking to leap on unsuspecting young troops and charge them for some imagined infraction of Max's Law.

Heard about Max last year... 

ME

 

[Kat Stevens]

Memorable guy, especially the pre Christmas bug out and kit inspection.

 

[OldSolduer]

The ghost of Max "the Axe" I'm sure still prowls the grounds, looking to leap on unsuspecting young troops and charge them for some imagined infraction of Max's Law.

Max was walking across the main road in Kapyong. He decided to cross the road right in front of me. I was driving my car and caught a glimpse of someone stepping in front of it. Brakes on......and he glared right at me as if to say...."how dare you almost hit me?". When I told the boys about this they dissed me some hard....