This cairn commemorates the three occasions that the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) garrisoned at Work Point Barracks, which total 52 years that they were stationed in Esquimalt. It was unveiled on June 8, 2014. PPCLI was founded for service in the First World War on August 10, 1914.
At the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Association AGM in 2014, Jack Bates presented the idea of a commemorative cairn and it was well received. Jack's father, Captain A.A. Bates, was stationed with “B” Company, PPCLI at Work Point Barracks from 1921 to 1937. He transferred to Currie Barracks in Calgary from 1938 until 1945, retiring from the PPCLI in 1947 in Victoria. He enlisted in Victoria in 1915 for the First World War.
Jack then ran into his friend, Tony Miller who worked for Western Grater, a local blasting firm. After hearing Jack's idea, they met at Bear Mountain development where they picked out a blasted rock. Tony delivered it within an hour to the side of the Guardhouse on Head street. The cairn was inscribed by Mortimer’s Monument Works. Larry Gollner, a retired Brigadier-General PPCLI and the Association Vice President Ed Widenmaeir, a retired Warrant Officer PPCLI, helped with the inscription details. A time capsule was placed by Ed in the concrete pad under the cairn.
