Cave Block
Municipality/Province: Esquimalt, BC
Memorial number: 59005-076
Type: Building - barracks
Address: Lyall and Head Streets
Location: Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, Work Point
GPS coordinates: Lat: 48.4261391 Long: -123.3983846
Submitted by: Victoria Edwards. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Jack Bates.
Building 1075 in Work Point Barracks was built for the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1902. A bronze plaque was embedded in the outside south wall next to the entrance in 1957 that is dedicated to Lieutenant-Colonel (Lt.-Col.) J.C. Cave, CD, Commandant of Esquimalt Garrison. After a period of 18 years absence, during which the battalion saw service in two wars, and a two year tour of duty in NATO, the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry returned to Work Point Barracks in 1957. Foresight on the part of Lt.-Col. J.C. Cave, in having renovations of the old barrack block begun prior to the arrival of the advance party, avoided a difficult situation in barrack room space. Lt.-Col. Cave was quartered in the same building while serving with B Company before the Second World War.
Cave Block also retains the commemorative designation of Ypres Building in honour of the Canadians who through terrible fighting, withered with shrapnel and machine-gun fire, hampered by their issued Ross rifles which jammed, violently sick from a gas attack and gasping for air through soaked and muddy handkerchiefs, they held on during the First World War at the Battle of Ypres until reinforcements arrived. It was designated Ypres Building in 1977 by the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in honour of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry who fought in that battle and for which action they received a Battle Honour.
Inscription found on memorial
Bâtiment
YPRES
Block
[plaque]
CAVE BLOCK
CONSTRUCTED BY
ROYAL ENGINEERS – 1902
RENOVATED BY
ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEERS – 1957
Street view
Note
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