The Winged Lightning Bolt
The Not-So-Secret History of The Canadian Battle Drill School located at Coldstream Ranch
The Not-So-Secret History of The Canadian Battle Drill School located at Coldstream Ranch
A Canadian Battle Drill School Training Centre was located at the Coldstream Ranch from 1942 to early 1946.
The Canadian Battle Drill Schools were unique, the first of its kind in North America. It was used for advanced infantry training where real-world situations brought home from the European front were applied in life-saving training exercises. Hand picked NCOs and Officers were trained in a number of areas, including a purpose-built village to prepare them for fighting in urban areas. These NCOs and Officers then passed on all their training to soldiers of their regiments.
The Canadian Battle Drill Training Centre (CBDTC) was set up at Courtenay, B.C. where the first course ran June 6-27, 1942. The location at Courtenay was excellent for training. A small river ran through the camp and an abandoned Japanese Village was available within a few miles. Possibly due to fire hazard and for other reasons, the school was moved to Vernon, B.C. in July 1942.
Major Martin discovered the excellent training areas of the Coldstream Ranch and Mr. Tom Hill, the ranch manager, agreed to allow training to be carried on throughout the 11,000 acres of the ranch. Subsequently, the entire ranch was made into a maneuver area by Order in Council. Through the enthusiasm of the instructors and demonstration platoons, a log village was constructed for village fighting, and an obstacle course consisting largely of natural obstacles was laid out.
The CBDTC consisted of the Vernon Military Camp and the Coldstream Battle Drill School. The Commandant and original instructors were all from the Calgary Highlanders’ Battle Drill School in England: Lt Col J.F. Scott was the Commandant and Major A.E. Langston the Chief Instructor.
A bayonet assault course was built, and a trench was blasted from solid rock on the side of the hill. Soldiers were subjected to live fire overhead. An “English” type lane with hedges and gates was completed. A dam was built on the Coldstream Creek, to provide for river crossing drills. Pill Boxes with necessary wire and slit trenches were constructed and the entire camp was moved to the Coldstream Ranch. The background of the hills made possible the realistic firing of all platoon weapons at selected spots. To assist in illustrating the use of combat teams a carrier section was trained in Battle Drill for Carriers employing the Bren Gun Carrier.
It is estimated that over 20,000 men trained in Vernon during WWII. It is not known how many trained at the Battle Drill School, but with our estimation of six classes per year and 30 men per class, we can make an educated guess that approximately 780 NCOs and Officers trained in Vernon in advanced combat skills.
The Canadian Battle Drill Schools were unique, the first of its kind in North America. It was used for advanced infantry training where real-world situations brought home from the European front were applied in life-saving training exercises. Hand picked NCOs and Officers were trained in a number of areas, including a purpose-built village to prepare them for fighting in urban areas. These NCOs and Officers then passed on all their training to soldiers of their regiments.
The Canadian Battle Drill Training Centre (CBDTC) was set up at Courtenay, B.C. where the first course ran June 6-27, 1942. The location at Courtenay was excellent for training. A small river ran through the camp and an abandoned Japanese Village was available within a few miles. Possibly due to fire hazard and for other reasons, the school was moved to Vernon, B.C. in July 1942.
Major Martin discovered the excellent training areas of the Coldstream Ranch and Mr. Tom Hill, the ranch manager, agreed to allow training to be carried on throughout the 11,000 acres of the ranch. Subsequently, the entire ranch was made into a maneuver area by Order in Council. Through the enthusiasm of the instructors and demonstration platoons, a log village was constructed for village fighting, and an obstacle course consisting largely of natural obstacles was laid out.
The CBDTC consisted of the Vernon Military Camp and the Coldstream Battle Drill School. The Commandant and original instructors were all from the Calgary Highlanders’ Battle Drill School in England: Lt Col J.F. Scott was the Commandant and Major A.E. Langston the Chief Instructor.
A bayonet assault course was built, and a trench was blasted from solid rock on the side of the hill. Soldiers were subjected to live fire overhead. An “English” type lane with hedges and gates was completed. A dam was built on the Coldstream Creek, to provide for river crossing drills. Pill Boxes with necessary wire and slit trenches were constructed and the entire camp was moved to the Coldstream Ranch. The background of the hills made possible the realistic firing of all platoon weapons at selected spots. To assist in illustrating the use of combat teams a carrier section was trained in Battle Drill for Carriers employing the Bren Gun Carrier.
It is estimated that over 20,000 men trained in Vernon during WWII. It is not known how many trained at the Battle Drill School, but with our estimation of six classes per year and 30 men per class, we can make an educated guess that approximately 780 NCOs and Officers trained in Vernon in advanced combat skills.
GVMA #25127: Canadian Battle Drill School. 8th Platoon. 1st course #2 wing. October 1943.
GVMA #26747: A platoon of newly commissioned officers at the Canadian Battle Drill School (CBDTC). Lt. Fred Mills, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps back row, tall fellow centre. No. 10 Platoon. March 1943/
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GVMA #6498: Canadian Battle Drill School, Coldstream Ranch, Vernon. 12 Platoon, 2 Wing, 3rd Course, Canadian School of Infantry (C.S. of I.), Group photo, winter gear. January 1944.
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The current exteriror of the Officers Mess that was built at the Battles Drill School and one of the few remaining structures still standing.
Photo by Francois Arseneault
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The inside of the officers mess. This fireplace holds an original etching Photo by
Francois Arseneault
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The etching of the Winged Lightning Bolt on the fireplace in the officers mess. Photo by
Francois Arseneault
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Thank you to our sponsors
Construction Drilling Inc.
Fastik Printing and Packaging
Leslie Davis (Col J.Fred Scott's Granddaughter)
Kalamalka Rotary Club
Joanne Georgeson
2305 Rocky Mountain Rangers Cadet Corps - Kamloops
1705 British Columbia Dragoons Cadet Corps - Vernon
Construction Drilling Inc.
Fastik Printing and Packaging
Leslie Davis (Col J.Fred Scott's Granddaughter)
Kalamalka Rotary Club
Joanne Georgeson
2305 Rocky Mountain Rangers Cadet Corps - Kamloops
1705 British Columbia Dragoons Cadet Corps - Vernon