This memorial is dedicated to the men and women, military and civilian, who served at Camp and CFB Chilliwack. Camp Chilliwack was established in February 1942 in the rural community of Vedder Crossing, near Chilliwack, British Columbia, partly in response to Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, two months earlier. At the time, there were few Army troops stationed in British Columbia and Camp Chilliwack was seen as a vital part of the defence against the perceived Japanese threat. No. 112 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre was established at Chilliwack and A6 Canadian Engineering Training Centre (A6 CETC) was relocated to Chilliwack from Camp Dundurn, Saskatchewan.
Following the end of the Second World War, A6 CETC was renamed Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering and eventually the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, following unification in 1968. Camp Chilliwack itself was also renamed Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack and in 1970, the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School (CFOCS) was moved to Chilliwack. Over the years, the Base was home to numerous military engineer units and in 1994, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was moved to the installation. Defence budget cuts and the need for consolidation led to the Base closure in 1997 and the relocation of its units.
