This armoury, Colonel R. S. McLaughlin Armoury, is named in honour of Colonel Robert Samuel McLaughlin, CC, ED, CD. The armoury was built in 1914 by the Department of National Defence.
Colonel Robert Samuel McLaughlin, CC, ED, CD (September 1871 – January 1972) was an influential Canadian businessman, philanthropist and the longest serving Honorary Colonel of the Ontario Regiment (RCAC). He started the McLaughlin Motor Car Company in 1907, one of the first major automobile manufacturers in Canada, which evolved into General Motors of Canada. In 1921, McLaughlin was appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 34th Ontario Regiment (renamed the Ontario Regiment (RCAC) in 1958) and held this position until 1931, at which time he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the same unit. Affectionately known as “Colonel Sam,” McLaughlin served as Honorary Colonel until 1967, earning the distinction as the longest continuously serving Colonel in the history of the Canadian Forces. In 1967, Sam McLaughlin was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada.
