Namesake of Armoury in Vernon

[Gorgo]

To Anyone from the British Columbia Dragoons (or other units) who can answer this question:

I've looked and looked and looked for all information concerning the namesake of the Brig Murphy Armoury in Vernon next to the Army Cadet camp.  Try as I might, I can't find a thing.  Does anyone know the actual name of the fellow the armoury was named in tribute to.

Appreciated!

 

[daftandbarmy]

To Anyone from the British Columbia Dragoons (or other units) who can answer this question:

I've looked and looked and looked for all information concerning the namesake of the Brig Murphy Armoury in Vernon next to the Army Cadet camp.  Try as I might, I can't find a thing.  Does anyone know the actual name of the fellow the armoury was named in tribute to.

Appreciated!

Voila https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_fhbro_eng.aspx?id=8151

 

[Cloud Cover]

" Designed from a standard plan, it features a prominent roof, concrete construction and occupies a large flat site within Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack. "

There are lots of (really nice) mobile homes in BC, didn't know the army was a fan.

 

[GR66]

Found this site (http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/histoires_de_chez_nous-community_stories/pm_v2.php?id=story_line&lg=English&fl=0&ex=00000653&sl=5315&pos=1&pf=1) which gives the history of the 9th Armoured Regiment (BC Dragoons) during WWII and references Lt. Col. W.C. Murphy who was appointed Commanding Officer in May 1942 and later commander of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade from Feb 1944 to the end of the war.

 

[daftandbarmy]

" Designed from a standard plan, it features a prominent roof, concrete construction and occupies a large flat site within Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack. "

There are lots of (really nice) mobile homes in BC, didn't know the army was a fan.

I've been in that armoury. It's pretty bare bones!

The 'CFB Chilliwack' reference is related to the fact that it is administered by the ASU there, I assume.

 

[Kilted]

That probably the same thing as all the armouries in the GTA being part of Garrison Toronto (which was CFB Toronto before they changed the names of all the bases).

 

[exspy]

Voila https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_fhbro_eng.aspx?id=8151

Good info about the construction of the armoury in 1913, but nothing about who it was named after. As the Brigadier Murphy mentioned upthread was not a Brigadier until 1944, two questions arise. Was it named the Brigadier Murphy Armoury in 1913 and, if so, who was it named after? Conversely, if it was named after the Second World War Brigadier Murphy, what was the name of the armoury prior to it being renamed?

Still some interesting research to be done.

Cheers,
Dan.

 

[Blackadder1916]

. . . Was it named the Brigadier Murphy Armoury in 1913 and, if so, who was it named after? Conversely, if it was named after the Second World War Brigadier Murphy, what was the name of the armoury prior to it being renamed?

In 1952 it was just "Vernon Armoury"

https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/image-image.aspx?id=9504#i2

And it was still being called "Vernon Armoury" in 1973 according to newspaper clippings. http://www.armycadethistory.com/Cadet%20Corps%20DB/CC1705/db_cc_1705_1973.htm

 

[exspy]

In 1952 it was just "Vernon Armoury"

And it was still being called "Vernon Armoury" in 1973 according to newspaper clippings.

Aha! The game is afoot! Good find.

Cheers,
Dan.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Good info about the construction of the armoury in 1913, but nothing about who it was named after. As the Brigadier Murphy mentioned upthread was not a Brigadier until 1944, two questions arise. Was it named the Brigadier Murphy Armoury in 1913 and, if so, who was it named after? Conversely, if it was named after the Second World War Brigadier Murphy, what was the name of the armoury prior to it being renamed?

Still some interesting research to be done.

Cheers,
Dan.

BC Dragoons:

"Lt. Col. W. C. Murphy was appointed commanding officer in May 1942. Murphy was a Vancouver lawyer, physically fit, and an amateur boxer, but with no training in tanks. Nevertheless, for the better part of the next year, until he left in March 1943, "Spud," as he was known, drove himself and the men hard in sports and training, correcting morale and training problems. He moulded the Regiment into a fighting unit by example, and by his rigorous standards of training and discipline. The improvement coincided with the delivery of tanks in the spring and summer of 1942. The first tanks were American built General Lee M-3 and the General Stuart M-2A4, but later most were the Canadian built Ram I and Ram II."

"In May Lt. Col. Murphy went off to become the Chief of Staff for the Division and later given command of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade from February 1944 to wars end. He was replaced each time by an old lime BCD, Lt. Col. H. H. Angle, who was a Militia Capt. before the war."

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/histoires_de_chez_nous-community_stories/pm_v2.php?id=story_line&lg=English&fl=0&ex=00000653&sl=5315&pos=1&pf=1

 

[Gorgo]

Thanks everyone!