Borden in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Camp Borden

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

1. Camp Borden Marker

Inscription.
Camp Borden was established during the First World War as a major training centre of Canadian Expeditionary Force battalions. The Camp (including this structure) was officially opened by Sir Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia and Defence, on July 11, 1916, after two months of intensive building. This military reserve, comprising over twenty square miles, was soon occupied by some 32,000 troops. Training facilities were expanded in 1917 with the institution of an air training program under the Royal Flying Corps, Canada, and the construction of the first Canadian military aerodrome, regarded as the finest military aviation camp in North America. Following the armistice, Camp Borden continued as an important army and air force centre and became one of the largest armed forces bases in Canada.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Recreation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 11, 1916.

Location. 44° 16.933′ N,

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79° 53.846′ W. Marker is in Borden, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It is on Ortona Road just south of Falaise Road, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located on the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 199 Ortona Road, Borden ON L0M 1C0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country

and specifically in Georgian Bay Country.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Worthington Park Memorial (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); United States M5A1 "Stuart" Light Tank / Char léger américain M5A1 Stuart (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Mine Plow / Charrue de Déminage (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); British Churchill Infantry Tank MK IV / Char d'infanterie britannique Churchill MK IV

Camp Borden Marker (<i>north side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

2. Camp Borden Marker (north side)

Looking south along Ortona Road.

(approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Canadian Armoured Corps 50th Anniversary (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); British Centurion MK5 Main Battle Tank / Char de combat principal britannique Centurion MK5 (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Canadian Tank School 50th Anniversary (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); British Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) MKII / Véhicule blindé de dépannage britannique (VBD) MKII (approx. 0.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Borden.

More about this marker. Both sides of this marker have the same English inscription.

Also see . . .
1. Canadian Forces Base Borden (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The historic birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force, CFB Borden is home to the largest training wing in the Canadian Armed Forces. At the height of the First World War, the Borden Military Camp opened at a location on a glacial moraine west of Barrie in 1916 to train units for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. It was named for Sir Frederick William Borden, former Minister of Militia. In May 1916, the Barrie and Collingwood companies of the 157th Battalion (Simcoe Foresters), CEF (perpetuated
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

3. Camp Borden Marker (south side)
Looking northeast; the east end of building T-47, a former bathhouse, is visible on the left. Built during World War I, it is the oldest extant building at Camp Borden.
today by The Grey and Simcoe Foresters), under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D.H. MacLaren, began construction of the camp. Camp Borden was selected in 1917 for a military aerodrome, becoming the first flying station of the Royal Flying Corps Canada.

(Submitted on November 1, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Camp Borden – The birthplace of the RCAF and the historic home of the Canadian Armoured Corps.

(by Bruce Forsyth) Excerpt: Camp Borden was originally established on 18, 500 acres of land in Simcoe County, a lot of it sand dunes. As part of the training environment, 11 Miles of training trenches were built throughout the training area, replicating the trenches in the European theatre. The Royal Flying Corps arrived the next year, establishing an aerodrome at the camp. On 2 May 1917 Canada’s first military airfield officially opened, designated No. 42 Wing Camp Borden. By the time the Royal Canadian Air Force was established in 1924, RCAF Station Camp Borden would be the largest military flying station of its time.

(Submitted on November 1, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 559 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.