Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Hospital
Municipality/Province: Halifax, NS
Memorial number: 12004-153
Type: Building - hospital
Address: 5955 Veterans Memorial Lane
Location: Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Hospital
GPS coordinates: Lat: 44.6439786 Long: -63.5869252
Submitted by: Marilyn Gurney
The Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building supports residents diverse in life experiences, but united by their service to our country. During the First World War, the Military Hospital Commission in Canada built military hospitals across the country to provide medical and supportive care to returning soldiers.
Camp Hill Hospital opened its doors in the fall of 1917, and even though it was meant as a temporary hospital, it continued to provide support during the Second World War and Korean War and in the years that followed.
Only months after opening, on December 6, 1917, the city was devastated by the Halifax Explosion. Camp Hill played a role in response efforts. Originally built to care for 225 soldiers, within the first 24 hours following the explosion it cared for 1,400 of the most critically injured. Because of its location on the hill, it was not damaged. Soldiers gave up beds and medical staff worked without relief until people from away could help.
By 1928, Camp Hill’s care expanded to provide residential care to Veterans. A hundred years since it opened, there was a shift in the type of support needed from a rehabilitation focus right after the war to caring for an aging generation of Veterans.
Along with providing medical care, Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Hospital provides many social programs, recreation projects and outdoor space. The QEII’s Veterans Memorial Garden, came to fruition with commitment and fundraising efforts led by Shirley Robertson, a former resident’s wife, in collaboration with the QEII Foundation. The relaxing and safely gated atmosphere houses many social events and five commemorative celebrations each year. Twice a year, about 80 Canadian military soldiers come to clean and upkeep the Garden. The Veterans all watch from their windows and comment on how they are doing.
Inscription found on memorial
[building/bâtiment]
CAMP HILL
VETERANS
MEMORIAL
BUILDING
[plaque]
1917 CAMP HILL 2017
Celebrating 100 years of service to Veterans and the community
"Some lines I must write
for old Camp Hill
Where the boys lay in
when they're feeling ill,
The staff is so courteous,
the Sisters so kind,
A place like Camp Hill
is sure had to find"
-MacDonald undated
Camp Hill first opened as a military hospital in
1917 to provide active treatment and convalescent
care to soldiers returning from WWI. In 1928,
the mandate was expanded to provide long term
care to Veterans. Since that time, thousands
of exceptional men and women who served our
country have called Camp Hill their home. While
Camp Hill has seen many changes over the past
century its commitment and pride in providing
the very highest standard of care to Veterans and
the community has stool the test of time.
"It's up to you the
younger ones
To carry on what
we've begun
Take up the torch
and hold it high
Let memory's flame
light up the sky"
Camp Hill Veterans' Songwriters Group, 2010
[stone/pierre]
THIS STONE WAS LAID BY
THE HONOURABLE
GEORGE HEES, P.C. M.P.
MINISTER OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
OCTOBER 1987
CETTE PIERRE FUT POSÉE PAR
L'HONORABLE
GEORGE HEES, P.C. M.P.
MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES
DES ANCIENS COMBATTANTS
OCTOBRE 1987
[stone/pierre]
THIS STONE WAS LAID BY
THE HONOURABLE
JOHN M. BUCHAN, P.C. Q.C.
PREMIER OF
NOVA SCOTIA
OCTOBER 1987
CETTE PIERRE FUT POSÉE PAR
L'HONORABLE
JOHN M. BUCHAN, P.C. Q.C.
PREMIER MINISTRE DE
LA NOUVELLE-ÉCOSSE
OCTOBRE 1987
Street view
Note
This information is provided by contributors and Veterans Affairs Canada makes it available as a service to the public. Veterans Affairs Canada is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or reliability of the information.
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