This refurbished saluting base commemorates the presence of the military in Chilliwack. In 1942, A6 Canadian Engineering Training Centre was relocated from Dundurn, Saskatchewan to Chilliwack, British Columbia. Initially, the personnel were housed in temporary accommodation, but shortly after their arrival, permanent infrastructure began being built. In July 1949, a concrete saluting base was constructed, complete with military engineering accoutrements, including two wrought-iron “UBIQUE” inserts and a cast Engineer crest. Overlooking the parade square, the saluting base served until CFB Chilliwack was closed in 1997. The parade square fell into disuse until it and the immediate surrounding area was purchased by the University of the Fraser Valley. In November 2012, the Retired Sappers Reunion Committee and the CFB Chilliwack Historical Society initiated a project to refurbish the former saluting base as a monument to the presence of the military in Chilliwack. After a frenzied fund raising drive, design and construction phases, the Saluting Base was rededicated as a monument on October 12, 2013.
Chilliwack Saluting Base
[front/devant]
UBIQUE UBIQUE
[plaque/plaque]
CANADIAN FORCES BASE CHILLIWACK MEMORIAL – UBIQUE – EVERYWHERE
This plaque recognizes the history of its surrounding area as a former Military Camp. In 1942 the government of Canada, in response to the perceived threat of an attack on the coast of British Columbia, authorized the establishment of an Army Camp in the vicinity of Vedder Crossing. For the first half of its existence, Camp Chilliwack was the Home of the Royal Canadian Engineers, comprising: the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering, that trained officers and engineer tradesmen for the Army; a Field Engineer Regiment and/or Field Squadron; and the Royal Canadian Engineer Band; plus various other support elements.
In the late 1960s, with the Unification of the Canadian Forces, the Camp was re-designated Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack with an expanded role that now included Military Engineer training for officers and engineer technicians for the former Navy, Army and Air Force. In addition, the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School was established here to assess and give basic training to all officer candidates for the Canadian Forces. The Army field unit that remained here was eventually re-named 1 Combat Engineer Regiment.
Following the end of the Cold War, the Base was selected for closure in 1997 as part of the reduction of the Canadian Forces and its role was minimized to an Area Support Unit to support Regular and Reserve units in mainland BC. But the Support Unit was also closed in 2013.
During its lifetime, the Base was the area’s second highest employer and also provided vital support to the local communities in times of crisis or difficulties. In 2006, this portion of the former Base lands was acquired by the University of the Fraser Valley that preserved the saluting base, enabling the installation of this Memorial so that all may realize the rich, proud military history of this site.
