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Coordinates: 51°01′13″N 114°10′17″W / 51.02028°N 114.17139°W / 51.02028; -114.17139 (Battalion Park)
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'''Battalion Park''' is the site of a set of [[geoglyphs]] in south west [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], [[Canada]]. Numbered 137, 113, 151, and 51, they are located on [[Signal Hill, Calgary|Signal Hill]], overlooking the [[Tsuu T'ina Nation|Sarcee Nation]], and lands formerly known as Camp Sarcee and later Sarcee Training Area. Its heritage value is because of its dedication to the heroic efforts of Albertan soldiers during [[World War One]]. Of the four geoglyphs, number "113" is at its original location while the others had to be shifted from their original location to the present site on account of the need to develop the area for roads and other economic activities.
'''Battalion Park''' is a [[geoglyph]] site in south west [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], [[Canada]]. It is located on [[Signal Hill, Calgary|Signal Hill]], overlooking the [[Tsuu T'ina Nation|Sarcee Nation]], as well as lands formerly known as Camp Sarcee and later Sarcee Training Area, a military reserve used by the [[Canadian Forces]] from before the [[First World War]] up until the 1990s. The park extends over an area of {{Convert|93|ha}}, north of the [[Elbow River]]. Its heritage value is associated with its dedication to the heroic efforts of Albertan soldiers during [[World War One]]. The site contains four geoglyphs, numbered 137, 113, 151, and 51. The large, whitewashed stone, totaling 16,000 in all, form the centrepiece of the park. Arranged on the side of the hill, and visible from various parts of the city, they represent the battalions numbered 137, 113, 151, and 51.


⚫
==Geography==
The park, which extends over an area of {{Convert|93|ha}}, is located to the north of the [[Elbow River]], and was a military reserve used by the [[Canadian Forces]] from before the [[First World War]] up until the 1990s. The glyphs, which form the centre piece of the park, are large whitewashed stones, arranged on the side of the hill. They represent the battalions numbers 137, 113, 151, and 51. The numbers were created using 16,000 stones. The glyph with number "113" is located on {{Convert|0.265|ha}} area of land on a high ridge, and each numeral of "113" measures {{Convert|36.5|m}} in length and {{Convert|1.8|-|3.7|m}} in width. The stones can be seen from many parts of the city.
The {{Convert|93|ha}} park on Signal Hill overlooks the Sarcee Nation.<ref name="Park"/> It is situated to the north of the [[Elbow River]], beside the Westhills shopping complex,<ref name="DixonHoward2012">{{cite book|last1=Dixon|first1=Joan|last2=Howard|first2=Barb|title=Embedded on the Home Front: Where Military and Civilian Lives Converge|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Vy_1xou0RskC&pg=PA69|accessdate=21 February 2013|date=4 September 2012|publisher=Heritage House Publishing Co|isbn=978-1-927051-58-0|pages=69–}}</ref> on the city's western outskirts.<ref name="BagleyDuncan1993">{{cite book|last1=Bagley|first1=Fred|last2=Duncan|first2=Harvey Daniel|title=A legacy of courage: "Calgary's own" 137th Overseas Battalion, C.E.F.|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=88xmAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=21 February 2013|year=1993|publisher=Plug Street Books|isbn=978-0-9697162-0-4|page=93}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
;Early history
The park was a military reserve used by the [[Canadian Forces]] from before the [[First World War]] up until the 1990s.<ref name="Park">{{cite web|url=http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/SW-parks/Battalion-Park.aspx#|title=Batallion Park|publisher=City of Calgary|accessdate=18 February 2013}}</ref> The Sarcee Indian Reserve leased a part of their land in the summer of 1914 to the Canadian militia to enable them to establish a prospective training site for military personnel. It was then known as Sarcee Camp (as it overlooks the [[Sarcee Nation]]), as it was an exclusive area in Alberta to provide training to the soldiers who were to be assigned to fight during World War I. In all, 45,000 men were trained at the the training camp; the trainees who formed part of 30 units, were drawn from various parts of the province. With this strength, the camp was the largest military training establishment in Canada during the war time. It took a day's ride to approach the camp from [[Calgary Fort]]. The camps of the many training units were housed in tents. Each unit established their identity using marking stones around the assigned areas in the camp. Army engineers were also associated with the mapping of the area and to mark the stones. They also used the stones to clearly mark their unit numbers. Several military units collaborated in assembling thousands of stones to draw the serif-type numerals of the battalions. The trainees gathered stones from the river and carried it to the site as part of their training.<ref name="Historic">{{cite web|url= http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=5724|title=Battalion Numbers|publisher= Historicplaces.ca/Parks Canada | accessdate=18 February 2013}}</ref> Among those who did so were the four battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Members of the Calgary, Lethbridge, Central Alberta, and Edmonton battalions) were trained in the area. After the training they were assigned to war regions abroad to fight in World War I. The battalion numbers of these battalions are now permanently part of the Calgary's heritage and landmark.<ref name="Park"/> Before they attained the heritage value, after the battalions moved to the war front, the numbers were almost forgotten, overgrown by shrubs and grass and almost were obscured till a local historian found them; he found these stones prior to grading and protecting the hill which was subject to erosion, and to enable construction activity in the area. Getting the site its present historical status involved concerted efforts by the cadets of units, particularly of the 157 Battalion, stationed in Calgary; this effort stretched to several years of pursuing with the authorities. The stones were safely kept by Stewart Green Properties Ltd until they were restored; Battalion Park officially opened on 3 November 1991.<ref name="Park"/><ref name=Battallion>{{Cite web|url=http://www.calgaryplus.ca/calgary/venues/battalion-park|title=Battalion Park |accessdate=18 February 2013|publisher=Calgaryplus.ca}}</ref><ref name=Park>{{Cite web|url=http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/SW-parks/Battalion-Park.aspx|title= Battalion Park|publisher=The City of Calgary}}</Ref>
The Sarcee Indian Reserve leased a part of their land in the summer of 1914 to the Canadian militia to enable them to establish a prospective training site for military personnel. It was then known as Sarcee Camp (as it overlooks the [[Sarcee Nation]]), as it was an exclusive area in Alberta to provide training to the soldiers who were to be assigned to fight during World War I. The military reserve was used by the [[Canadian Forces]] from before the [[First World War]] up until the 1990s.<ref name="Park">{{cite web|url=http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/SW-parks/Battalion-Park.aspx#|title=Batallion Park|publisher=City of Calgary|accessdate=18 February 2013}}</ref> In all, 45,000 men were trained at the the military camp. With this strength, the camp was the largest military training establishment in Canada during the war time. The 30 various units, housed in tents, included trainees drawn from various parts of the province. From [[Calgary-Fort]], it took a day's ride to approach the camp.
⚫
[[File:Colonel Harwood and staff of 51st Battalion, Sarcee Army Camp, Calgary, Alberta.jpg|right|thumb|51st Battalion, Sarcee Army Camp in 1915]]
⚫
The 151st (central Alberta), battalion, raised in the Red deer, Battle River, and south Edmonton districts, were part of the training at the Sarcee Camp from December 22, 1915 until October 4, 1916; Lieutenant Colonel J.W. Arnott commanded their battalion.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://aboutcalgary.ab.ca/remembrance/battalion_park/battalion_park08.html|title=About Calgary Calgary's Battalion Park, The 151th Infantry Battalion. C.E.F|accessdate=19 February 2013|publisher= Aboutcalgary.ab.ca}}</ref> The 137th Infantry Battalion, which comprised the men of "Calgary's Own", were trained in the Sarcee Camp from December 1915 to August 1916. They were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George W. Morfitt. On August 21, 1916, they embarked to Europe to participate in the war. They were amalgamated with the 21st Reserve Battalion for service. Those men who survived the war met at the park, till 1960s, to carry out weeding operations and also to re-paint the stones of their battalion number which they had erected in the past.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aboutcalgary.ab.ca/remembrance/battalion_park/battalion_park04.html|title=Calgary's Battalion Park The 137th Infantry Battalion. C.E.F|accessdate=19 February 2013|publisher= Aboutcalgary.ab.ca}}</ref> The 113th Battalion consisted of 883 men and officers who were trained at the Sarcee Camp from late May 1916 until September. The Battalion used painted rocks to construct their Battalion Number on the Signal Hill. The bold white stone "113" is now preserved as a part of the park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cefresearch.ca/matrix/Army%20Corps/Divisions/Reorganized%20Units/Reinforcements/113th%20Battalion.htm|title= Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group, "The Matrix Project", 113th Battalion|accessdate=19 February 2013|publisher= Great War Research Company}}</ref> The 51st Battalion of the [[Canadian Expeditionary Force]], under the command of Colonel Harwood, was also at the Sarcee Army Camp, in 1915.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ww2.glenbow.org/search/archivesPhotosResults.aspx?AC=GET_RECORD&XC=/search/archivesPhotosResults.aspx&BU=&TN=IMAGEBAN&SN=AUTO19226&SE=269&RN=0&MR=10&TR=0&TX=1000&ES=0&CS=0&XP=&RF=WebResults&EF=&DF=WebResultsDetails&RL=0&EL=0&DL=0&NP=255&ID=&MF=WPEngMsg.ini&MQ=&TI=0&DT=&ST=0&IR=40558&NR=0&NB=0&SV=0&BG=&FG=&QS=&OEX=ISO-8859-1&OEH=ISO-8859-1|title=Glenbow archives NC-6-1407|accessdate=19 February 2013|publisher= Glenbow Museum}}</ref> As reported, the 51 Battalion is still a reserve unit of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. The 137 Battalion exists as a reserve unit of the King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC). The 151 Battalion was disbanded after the war, in 1936, and the 113 Battalion of the [[Lethbridge Highlanders]] was merged with other units on their return to [[England]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geocaching.com/track/log.aspx?LUID=338fd0e5-60e1-4191-9343-dc528b252629|title=View Trackable Log|accessdate=19 February 2013|publisher=Geocaching.com}}</ref>


Army engineers mapped the area. Each unit established its identity within its prescribed area by using stones that were hauled in sacks by hand from the river by soldiers as part of their training programme, over a distance of {{Convert|2|km}} during off-duty hours. Several military units collaborated in collecting the stones to create the battalion numerals. They were gathered from the river and carried it to the site as part of the training exercies.<ref name="Historic">{{cite web|url= http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=5724|title=Battalion Numbers|publisher= Historicplaces.ca/Parks Canada | accessdate=18 February 2013}}</ref> Among those who did so were the four battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Members of the Calgary, Lethbridge, Central Alberta, and Edmonton battalions) who were trained in the area.
⚫
==Geography==
⚫
[[File:Colonel Harwood and staff of 51st Battalion, Sarcee Army Camp, Calgary, Alberta.jpg|left|thumb|51st Battalion, Sarcee Army Camp in 1915]]
⚫
After their training was over, the battalions were assigned to war regions abroad to fight in World War I. The 151st (central Alberta) Battalion, raised in the Red deer, Battle River, and south Edmonton districts, trained at the Sarcee Camp from December 22, 1915 until October 4, 1916; Lieutenant Colonel J.W. Arnott commanded.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://aboutcalgary.ab.ca/remembrance/battalion_park/battalion_park08.html|title=About Calgary Calgary's Battalion Park, The 151th Infantry Battalion. C.E.F|accessdate=19 February 2013|publisher= Aboutcalgary.ab.ca}}</ref> The 137th Infantry Battalion, which was comprised of the men of "Calgary's Own", were trained in the Sarcee Camp from December 1915 to August 1916; they were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George W. Morfitt. On August 21, 1916, they embarked to Europe to participate in the war. They were amalgamated with the 21st Reserve Battalion for service. Those men who survived the war met at the park, till 1960s, to carry out weeding operations and also to re-paint the stones of their battalion number which they had erected in the past.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aboutcalgary.ab.ca/remembrance/battalion_park/battalion_park04.html|title=Calgary's Battalion Park The 137th Infantry Battalion. C.E.F|accessdate=19 February 2013|publisher= Aboutcalgary.ab.ca}}</ref> The 113th Battalion consisted of 883 men and officers who were trained at the Sarcee Camp from late May 1916 until September. The battalion used painted rocks to construct their battalion number on Signal Hill. The 51st Battalion of the [[Canadian Expeditionary Force]], under the command of Colonel Harwood, was also at the Sarcee Army Camp, in 1915.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ww2.glenbow.org/search/archivesPhotosResults.aspx?AC=GET_RECORD&XC=/search/archivesPhotosResults.aspx&BU=&TN=IMAGEBAN&SN=AUTO19226&SE=269&RN=0&MR=10&TR=0&TX=1000&ES=0&CS=0&XP=&RF=WebResults&EF=&DF=WebResultsDetails&RL=0&EL=0&DL=0&NP=255&ID=&MF=WPEngMsg.ini&MQ=&TI=0&DT=&ST=0&IR=40558&NR=0&NB=0&SV=0&BG=&FG=&QS=&OEX=ISO-8859-1&OEH=ISO-8859-1|title=Glenbow archives NC-6-1407|accessdate=19 February 2013|publisher= Glenbow Museum}}</ref>


;Later history
This region is located to the north of the [[Elbow River]], beside the West hills shopping complex,<ref name="DixonHoward2012">{{cite book|last1=Dixon|first1=Joan|last2=Howard|first2=Barb|title=Embedded on the Home Front: Where Military and Civilian Lives Converge|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Vy_1xou0RskC&pg=PA69|accessdate=21 February 2013|date=4 September 2012|publisher=Heritage House Publishing Co|isbn=978-1-927051-58-0|pages=69–}}</ref> on the city's western outskirts.<ref name="BagleyDuncan1993">{{cite book|last1=Bagley|first1=Fred|last2=Duncan|first2=Harvey Daniel|title=A legacy of courage: "Calgary's own" 137th Overseas Battalion, C.E.F.|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=88xmAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=21 February 2013|year=1993|publisher=Plug Street Books|isbn=978-0-9697162-0-4|page=93}}</ref> Development involved work on a gravel pit by Richmond Road, slope grading, rock replacement, and stairs construction.<ref name="SandalackNicolai2006">{{cite book|last1=Sandalack|first1=Beverly Ann|last2=Nicolai|first2=Andrei|title=The Calgary project: urban form/urban life|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=_GNPAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=21 February 2013|date=21 September 2006|publisher=University of Calgary Press|isbn=978-1-55238-217-2|page=155}}</ref> The glyphs, which form the centre piece of the park, are large whitewashed stones (16,000 of them), arranged on the side of the hill and represent the battalions numbers 137, 113, 151, and 51.<ref name="Park"/> The park, which extends over an area of {{Convert|93|ha}},<ref name="Park"/> consists of a walkway up the hill along paved and mud paths with several interpretative displays of the numerals and a “lookout landing”. The numbers were created using 16,000 stones<ref name="Park"/> that were hauled in sacks by hand from the river by soldiers as part of their training programme, over a distance of {{Convert|2|km}} during off duty hours. While the numerals 137, 151, and 51 are in a cluster, the glyph representing number “113” is further away in an undisturbed state as made in-situ initially from 1916/07/01 to 1916/08/31, but located within the park.<ref name="Historic">{{cite web|url= http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=5724|title=Battalion Numbers|publisher= Historicplaces.ca | accessdate=18 February 2013}}</ref><ref name=Calgary>{{Cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM24FK_Battalion_Park_Signal_Hill_Calgary_Alberta|title= Battalion Park - Signal Hill - Calgary, Alberta|accessdate=18 February 2013|publisher=Waymarking.com}}</ref>
With the battalions gone, the numbers were almost forgotten, overgrown by shrubs and grass. The stones were almost obscured till a local historian found them; he found the stones prior to grading as part of a protection strategy for the hill which was subject to erosion, and to enable construction activity in the area.<ref name="Park"/> Getting the site its present historical status involved concerted efforts by the cadets of units, particularly of the 157 Battalion, stationed in Calgary; this effort stretched to several years of pursuing with the authorities. The stones were safely kept by Stewart Green Properties Ltd until they were restored.<ref name="Park"/> Development involved work on a gravel pit by Richmond Road, slope grading, rock replacement, and stairs construction.<ref name="SandalackNicolai2006">{{cite book|last1=Sandalack|first1=Beverly Ann|last2=Nicolai|first2=Andrei|title=The Calgary project: urban form/urban life|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=_GNPAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=21 February 2013|date=21 September 2006|publisher=University of Calgary Press|isbn=978-1-55238-217-2|page=155}}</ref> Battalion Park officially opened on 3 November 1991.<ref name="Park"/><ref name=Battallion>{{Cite web|url=http://www.calgaryplus.ca/calgary/venues/battalion-park|title=Battalion Park |accessdate=18 February 2013|publisher=Calgaryplus.ca}}</ref><ref name=Park>{{Cite web|url=http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/SW-parks/Battalion-Park.aspx|title= Battalion Park|publisher=The City of Calgary}}</Ref>


The 51st Battalion is still a reserve unit of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. The 137 Battalion exists as a reserve unit of the King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC). The 151 Battalion was disbanded after the war, in 1936, and the 113 Battalion of the [[Lethbridge Highlanders]] was merged with other units on their return to [[England]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geocaching.com/track/log.aspx?LUID=338fd0e5-60e1-4191-9343-dc528b252629|title=View Trackable Log|accessdate=19 February 2013|publisher=Geocaching.com}}</ref>
Glyph with number "113" is located on {{Convert|0.265|ha}} area of land on a high ridge. The number is made up of white-painted stones. Each numeral of "113" measures {{Convert|36.5|m}} in length and {{Convert|1.8|-|3.7|m}} in width.<ref name="Historic"/>

==Features==
The glyphs, which form the centre piece of the park, are large whitewashed stones (16,000 of them), arranged on the side of the hill and represent the battalions numbers 137, 113, 151, and 51.<ref name="Park"/> The numbers, serif-type numerals, were created using 16,000 stones.<ref name="Park"/> While the numerals 137, 151, and 51 are in a cluster, the glyph representing number “113” is further away in an undisturbed state as made in-situ initially from 1916/07/01 to 1916/08/31, but located within the park.<ref name="Historic">{{cite web|url= http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=5724|title=Battalion Numbers|publisher= Historicplaces.ca | accessdate=18 February 2013}}</ref><ref name=Calgary>{{Cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM24FK_Battalion_Park_Signal_Hill_Calgary_Alberta|title= Battalion Park - Signal Hill - Calgary, Alberta|accessdate=18 February 2013|publisher=Waymarking.com}}</ref> Number "113" is at its original location, on a high ridge, while the others had to be shifted from their original location to the present site because of the need to develop the area for roads and other economic activities. The glyph with number "113" is located on {{Convert|0.265|ha}} area of land on a high ridge, and each numeral of "113" measures {{Convert|36.5|m}} in length and {{Convert|1.8|-|3.7|m}} in width.<ref name="Historic"/> The number is made up of white-painted stones.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cefresearch.ca/matrix/Army%20Corps/Divisions/Reorganized%20Units/Reinforcements/113th%20Battalion.htm|title= Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group, "The Matrix Project", 113th Battalion|accessdate=19 February 2013|publisher= Great War Research Company}}</ref> The park consists of a walkway up the hill along paved and mud paths with several interpretative displays of the numerals and a “lookout landing”.


==Commemoration==
==Commemoration==
Line 29: Line 35:


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
{{Commons}}
*[[Hillside letters]]
*[[Hillside letters]]
*[[Military history of Canada]]
*[[Military history of Canada]]
*[[Fovant Badges]] (hill figures of military badges in Wiltshire, England)


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
⚫
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo6/no2/history-histoire-02-eng.asp History of the Canadian Forces Museums 1919-2004]
* [http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo6/no2/history-histoire-02-eng.asp History of the Canadian Forces Museums 1919-2004]


Revision as of 05:08, 12 March 2013

Battalion Park
Map
Established3 November 1991
LocationCalgary, Alberta, Canada on Signal Hill
Typegeoglyphs

Battalion Park is a geoglyph site in south west Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is located on Signal Hill, overlooking the Sarcee Nation, as well as lands formerly known as Camp Sarcee and later Sarcee Training Area, a military reserve used by the Canadian Forces from before the First World War up until the 1990s. The park extends over an area of 93 hectares (230 acres), north of the Elbow River. Its heritage value is associated with its dedication to the heroic efforts of Albertan soldiers during World War One. The site contains four geoglyphs, numbered 137, 113, 151, and 51. The large, whitewashed stone, totaling 16,000 in all, form the centrepiece of the park. Arranged on the side of the hill, and visible from various parts of the city, they represent the battalions numbered 137, 113, 151, and 51.

Geography

The 93 hectares (230 acres) park on Signal Hill overlooks the Sarcee Nation.[1] It is situated to the north of the Elbow River, beside the Westhills shopping complex,[2] on the city's western outskirts.[3]

History

Early history

The Sarcee Indian Reserve leased a part of their land in the summer of 1914 to the Canadian militia to enable them to establish a prospective training site for military personnel. It was then known as Sarcee Camp (as it overlooks the Sarcee Nation), as it was an exclusive area in Alberta to provide training to the soldiers who were to be assigned to fight during World War I. The military reserve was used by the Canadian Forces from before the First World War up until the 1990s.[1] In all, 45,000 men were trained at the the military camp. With this strength, the camp was the largest military training establishment in Canada during the war time. The 30 various units, housed in tents, included trainees drawn from various parts of the province. From Calgary-Fort, it took a day's ride to approach the camp.

Army engineers mapped the area. Each unit established its identity within its prescribed area by using stones that were hauled in sacks by hand from the river by soldiers as part of their training programme, over a distance of 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) during off-duty hours. Several military units collaborated in collecting the stones to create the battalion numerals. They were gathered from the river and carried it to the site as part of the training exercies.[4] Among those who did so were the four battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Members of the Calgary, Lethbridge, Central Alberta, and Edmonton battalions) who were trained in the area.

51st Battalion, Sarcee Army Camp in 1915

After their training was over, the battalions were assigned to war regions abroad to fight in World War I. The 151st (central Alberta) Battalion, raised in the Red deer, Battle River, and south Edmonton districts, trained at the Sarcee Camp from December 22, 1915 until October 4, 1916; Lieutenant Colonel J.W. Arnott commanded.[5] The 137th Infantry Battalion, which was comprised of the men of "Calgary's Own", were trained in the Sarcee Camp from December 1915 to August 1916; they were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George W. Morfitt. On August 21, 1916, they embarked to Europe to participate in the war. They were amalgamated with the 21st Reserve Battalion for service. Those men who survived the war met at the park, till 1960s, to carry out weeding operations and also to re-paint the stones of their battalion number which they had erected in the past.[6] The 113th Battalion consisted of 883 men and officers who were trained at the Sarcee Camp from late May 1916 until September. The battalion used painted rocks to construct their battalion number on Signal Hill. The 51st Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, under the command of Colonel Harwood, was also at the Sarcee Army Camp, in 1915.[7]

Later history

With the battalions gone, the numbers were almost forgotten, overgrown by shrubs and grass. The stones were almost obscured till a local historian found them; he found the stones prior to grading as part of a protection strategy for the hill which was subject to erosion, and to enable construction activity in the area.[1] Getting the site its present historical status involved concerted efforts by the cadets of units, particularly of the 157 Battalion, stationed in Calgary; this effort stretched to several years of pursuing with the authorities. The stones were safely kept by Stewart Green Properties Ltd until they were restored.[1] Development involved work on a gravel pit by Richmond Road, slope grading, rock replacement, and stairs construction.[8] Battalion Park officially opened on 3 November 1991.[1][9][1]

The 51st Battalion is still a reserve unit of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. The 137 Battalion exists as a reserve unit of the King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC). The 151 Battalion was disbanded after the war, in 1936, and the 113 Battalion of the Lethbridge Highlanders was merged with other units on their return to England.[10]

Features

The glyphs, which form the centre piece of the park, are large whitewashed stones (16,000 of them), arranged on the side of the hill and represent the battalions numbers 137, 113, 151, and 51.[1] The numbers, serif-type numerals, were created using 16,000 stones.[1] While the numerals 137, 151, and 51 are in a cluster, the glyph representing number “113” is further away in an undisturbed state as made in-situ initially from 1916/07/01 to 1916/08/31, but located within the park.[4][11] Number "113" is at its original location, on a high ridge, while the others had to be shifted from their original location to the present site because of the need to develop the area for roads and other economic activities. The glyph with number "113" is located on 0.265 hectares (0.65 acres) area of land on a high ridge, and each numeral of "113" measures 36.5 metres (120 ft) in length and 1.8–3.7 metres (5 ft 11 in – 12 ft 2 in) in width.[4] The number is made up of white-painted stones.[12] The park consists of a walkway up the hill along paved and mud paths with several interpretative displays of the numerals and a “lookout landing”.

Commemoration

In a homage paid by 104 cadets who gathered at the Battalion Park Monument, a plaque was erected as dedication to their ancestors who were part of the action during 1915 and 1916 in the World War I. The names of the battalions are mentioned on the plaque. On this occasion they also painted the stones which mark the numbers of the battalions. The units involved in its assembly, mentioned on the plaque, are: 85 RCSCC Calgary, 604 Moose Sqdn RCAC, 22 Undaunted RGSCC, 781 Calgary Sqdn, RCAC 1292 LdSH (RC), RCACC 2554, PPCLI CC 1955, Service Bn RCACC, Buffalo Sqdn 538, RCAC 2509, Royal Cdn Signals, CC 2137 Calgary Highlanders, and CC 52 City of Calgary Sqdn RCCA.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Batallion Park". City of Calgary. Retrieved 18 February 2013. Cite error: The named reference "Park" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ Dixon, Joan; Howard, Barb (4 September 2012). Embedded on the Home Front: Where Military and Civilian Lives Converge. Heritage House Publishing Co. pp. 69–. ISBN 978-1-927051-58-0. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  3. ^ Bagley, Fred; Duncan, Harvey Daniel (1993). A legacy of courage: "Calgary's own" 137th Overseas Battalion, C.E.F. Plug Street Books. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-9697162-0-4. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. ^ a b c "Battalion Numbers". Historicplaces.ca/Parks Canada. Retrieved 18 February 2013. Cite error: The named reference "Historic" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ "About Calgary Calgary's Battalion Park, The 151th Infantry Battalion. C.E.F". Aboutcalgary.ab.ca. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Calgary's Battalion Park The 137th Infantry Battalion. C.E.F". Aboutcalgary.ab.ca. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Glenbow archives NC-6-1407". Glenbow Museum. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  8. ^ Sandalack, Beverly Ann; Nicolai, Andrei (21 September 2006). The Calgary project: urban form/urban life. University of Calgary Press. p. 155. ISBN 978-1-55238-217-2. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Battalion Park". Calgaryplus.ca. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  10. ^ "View Trackable Log". Geocaching.com. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  11. ^ "Battalion Park - Signal Hill - Calgary, Alberta". Waymarking.com. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  12. ^ "Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group, "The Matrix Project", 113th Battalion". Great War Research Company. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  13. ^ "About Calgary Calgary's Battalion Park Monument". Aboutcalgary.ab.ca. Retrieved 19 February 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Battalion Park.

51°01′13″N 114°10′17″W / 51.02028°N 114.17139°W / 51.02028; -114.17139 (Battalion Park)

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