The Millbrook Armory Hall circa 1927.
By Dan Bourgeois
Most people in this part of the world know the local Legion Hallon King St in Millbrook.
Many have attended various events in this venerable building. However, not that many know that the building was originally an armoury, built by the federal Department of the Militia (now Department of Defense) in 1913.
So, how did an army installation end up the middle of a village in peaceful east-central Ontario, Canada? Well, a dive into local and national history helps answer this question.
In the early 1800s in Upper Canada it was required that all(non-Indigenous) able bodied men between 16 and 60 years old register with a local militia. These units were to support the regular British army units in the province in the case of invasion, rebellion, or other major civic disturbances. The militia was required to muster as a unit at least once a year. These were often held at the local fairgrounds with its wide open space to pitch tents as well as for a parade ground. Marching and other drills, games and other competitions, as well as instructional courses for officers were carried out, along with much socializing. In the early years, each man was required to bring “a musket, fusil (a small flintlock musket) or gun and six rounds of ammunition”. Later on, the firearms were provided. Pay was minimal or non existent. Some units paid enlisted men a shilling for attending muster. Usually, officers were not paid. After all, they were almost always the “fine gentlemen” of the community and could afford to donate their time. Plus, being a militia officer was considered a prestigious position in society by most.
Militia units (as well as Indigenous allies) were much involved during the invasion of Canada during the American Revolutionary War, as well as during the War of 1812. In some cases, they turned the tide of battle leading to an American defeat. They also helped put down the Mackenzie-Papineau Rebellion of 1837.Depending on one’s political leaning some would consider this a blemish on their record, but that’s another issue. Since local European settlement was sparse or non existent in those days, no area militias were involved in these campaigns.
In 1846, the Durham militia regiment was formed. Cavan was part of Durham County at the time and its men formed the 4th battalion. In the 1850s it was decided that the militia be organized into Class A units of volunteers, who were paid, properly equipped and trained, available to be called up on short notice.
This was the precursor of the regular Canadian Army. Class B units were issued arms and some equipment and received no pay, but still had to attend muster. A Class A militia company was formed in Millbrook and a second later formed in Springville.
In 1866 a wood frame drill shed was built behind the Town Hall in Millbrook. This became the local hub for military training and drill. The space is now occupied by Nexicom storage buildings. Around this time the Millbrook Light Cavalry Band was formed, the first mounted band in Canada. Using instruments of special design from France, they were very popular at parades and other events. Also in 1866, the Fenian Raids into Canada from the USA started. This strange episode of history is well summarizedathttps://thecanadianency-clopedia.ca/en/article/fenian-raids. The Millbrook company was called up, led by Captain Richard Howden, Lieutenant Dr H Turner (a prominent local physician) and Ensign John Hunter, with 54 local volunteers. They patrolled the Lake Ontario waterfront from Kingston to Toronto, but saw no action.
The local units were well regarded. In an 1870 report by the Inspector General it was noted “Lieutenant Colonel Williams (commander and a prominent federal Tory MP and businessman from Port Hope) and staff deserve high praise….There is a fine band, numbering 15 musicians”.
In the spring of 1885, the Northwest (Riel) Rebel-lion broke out. The Millbrook company led by Captain C. H.Winslow was called up as part of the Midland battalion. They took part in the Battle of Batoche and were involved in the final charge which led to the surrender of the Metis and Cree forces, effectively ending the rebellion. The Millbrook contingent returned with a prize of war, the Bell of Batoche. It’s actually from Frog Lake, but that’s another story.
The combination of the Northwest Rebellion as well as ongoing threats and border disputes from our neighbours to the south (it’s not just a recent issue) led the Canadian government to upgrade the military, especially since the British army was no longer stationed in Canada. From the 1870suntil the early 1900s, over100 drill halls and armories were built in Canada, eleven in Ontario. These served as training centres and headquarters for local military units. The Millbrook armoury cornerstone was laid in 1913. It was of a standard design for smaller centres, similar to others in Elora, Gananoque and Kemptville. There was a firing range in the basement with offices for administration and officers in a loft on the east side. The interior was otherwise open upto the rafters. There were large double doors at the front with a ramp to allow soldiers to march into the building while in formation, as well as to allow easy access of large equipment into the drill hall.
It’s unclear to me why Millbrook was chosen for an armoury out of so many other communities, many of them of much larger size, in Ontario. I suspect it was partly out of recognition to the long his-tory of military service from so many in the community. It likely didn’t hurt that many of the officers were quite prominent politically and had the ear of the decision makers of the time. In particular, the Minister of Militia and MP for Victoria County (now City of Kawartha Lakes) at the time was Sam Hughes, who was of Protestant Irish descent and member of the Orange Order, like many in Cavan. He had served in the Durham militia as a young man and would certainly have been acquainted with the gentlemen officers of the Cavan and Mill-brook militia. It would not be a surprise if he had some influence in the decision, especially given his reputation for favouring friends and political allies.
The armoury opened just in time for the start of the First World War, in 1914. It served as a recruitment and primary training center. Most local recruits later went to Kings-ton for further training before heading off to Europe. To Be Continued