Canadian Small Arms School @ Longbranch, Photos?

[Oddbawl]

I'm on the hunt for any documentation and photos, especially of personnel training at the Canadian Small Arms School, Eastern Canada (Longbranch) during the second world war.
I've been tracing my Great Grandfather's military career. It turns out he was the Queen's York Rangers RSM at the school, and I'm dying to track down more pictures and info. Any leads would be appreciated!

 

[plinker 777]

? Longbranch is in Toronto. There was a small arms manufacturing factory there during the second world war and after but no Small Arms School that I'm aware of? There are several military bases in Eastern Ontario and of course Canada's school for things Military is the Royal Military College (Kingston Ont.). The school is for officers in training (University degree) I believe an RSM being the highest attainable rank without a Royal Commission would not have been educated @ RMCC...though he may have polished some brass there {joke}

 

[green]

Longbranch was training area dating back to the late 19th century. I knew a vet who called it The Battle School during WW2, same sight as SAL.

 

[Oddbawl]

The S-3 Canadian Small Arms School occupied the former Long Branch Aerodome for small arms training during WWII.
From: http://militarybruce.com/abandoned-canadian-military-bases/abandoned-bases/ontario/

"In January 1917, the newly designated Royal Flying Corps, Canada, the forerunner to the Royal Canadian Air Force, opened the RFC Training Centre at Long Branch. The Long Branch training centre also provided instruction on flying boats at nearby Hanlan’s Point in Toronto Harbour, the first seaplane base in Canada.
By July 1917, the flight school re-located to the Armour Heights Aerodrome. Long Branch became the Cadet Ground Training School for the Royal Flying Corps. Both the school and the aerodrome closed in 1919.
Not the slightest trace remains of the aerodrome today.
In June 1940, Small Arms Limited, a crown corporation, was founded under orders of the Ordnance Branch of the Department of National Defence, who authorized the construction of the factory for production of small arms rifles. The factory was built on the east end of the former Long Branch Aerodrome property. The factory produced British-pattern small arms such as the Lee-Enfield and Sten sub machine-gun.
In October 1940, No. 21 Non-Permanent Active Militia Training Centre was established, remaining until March 1941, when A-25 Canadian Small Arms Training Centre (Eastern Canada) was formed in its place. The Army camp served not only as a training centre for soldiers, but as a proving establishment for firearms manufactured by Small Arms Limited.
Small Arms Limited was shut down in December 1945 and production was taken over by Canadian Arsenals Limited, with the facility being re-designated as the Small Arms Division of C.A.L.

The name of the camp was changed to S-3 Canadian Small Arms Training Centre (Eastern Canada) in November 1942 until closing in October 1945. The 2nd Infantry Training Battalion took over the camp until closing in May 1946. The firing ranges remained in use by the militia units in the Toronto area, along with the RCN, RCAF, RCMP, OPP and the range’s original occupant, the Ontario Rifle Association."

And being the camp RSM with DCM on the end of his name, I think his brass polishing days were well over

 

[plinker 777]

The S-3 Canadian Small Arms School occupied the former Long Branch Aerodome for small arms training during WWII.
From: http://militarybruce.com/abandoned-canadian-military-bases/abandoned-bases/ontario/

"In January 1917, the newly designated Royal Flying Corps, Canada, the forerunner to the Royal Canadian Air Force, opened the RFC Training Centre at Long Branch. The Long Branch training centre also provided instruction on flying boats at nearby Hanlan’s Point in Toronto Harbour, the first seaplane base in Canada.
By July 1917, the flight school re-located to the Armour Heights Aerodrome. Long Branch became the Cadet Ground Training School for the Royal Flying Corps. Both the school and the aerodrome closed in 1919.
Not the slightest trace remains of the aerodrome today.
In June 1940, Small Arms Limited, a crown corporation, was founded under orders of the Ordnance Branch of the Department of National Defence, who authorized the construction of the factory for production of small arms rifles. The factory was built on the east end of the former Long Branch Aerodrome property. The factory produced British-pattern small arms such as the Lee-Enfield and Sten sub machine-gun.
In October 1940, No. 21 Non-Permanent Active Militia Training Centre was established, remaining until March 1941, when A-25 Canadian Small Arms Training Centre (Eastern Canada) was formed in its place. The Army camp served not only as a training centre for soldiers, but as a proving establishment for firearms manufactured by Small Arms Limited.
Small Arms Limited was shut down in December 1945 and production was taken over by Canadian Arsenals Limited, with the facility being re-designated as the Small Arms Division of C.A.L.

The name of the camp was changed to S-3 Canadian Small Arms Training Centre (Eastern Canada) in November 1942 until closing in October 1945. The 2nd Infantry Training Battalion took over the camp until closing in May 1946. The firing ranges remained in use by the militia units in the Toronto area, along with the RCN, RCAF, RCMP, OPP and the range’s original occupant, the Ontario Rifle Association."

And being the camp RSM with DCM on the end of his name, I think his brass polishing days were well over

Interesting...how does one become a Camp Regimental Sergeant Major? I thought the rank denoted the Sergeant Major of a Regiment (Queens York Rangers)? Also, my comment on polishing brass was light hearted...clearly your hat's on too tight where this topic is concerned...so I'll wish you luck with your search for pictures.

 

[Oddbawl]

I was kidding too, holy!
It is interesting isn't it? I don't know how things worked back then as far as appointments, just going by records. The family knows very little, the ones who did are long gone.
From his MBE citation:
"This Warrant Officer served with distinction in the war 1914-1919, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He subsequently served for seven years in the Non-Permanent Active Militia and is presently holding the appointment of Regimental Sergeant-Major of S-3 Canadian Small Arms School (Eastern Canada). Prior to that he was Wing Sergeant-Major of the Platoon Weapons Wing, the largest and most important wing of that School. Regimental Sergeant-Major McCuish joined the staff of the School in March, 1941. His work has been outstanding. The overall high standard of smartness and efficiency of the assistant instructors of the School is largely due to his untiring efforts. His devotion to duty, resource, ingenuity and leadership under very trying circumstances have held both the instructional and administrative wings together as a unit, permitting the School to function smoothly"

 

[AP]

It sounds like he was a 'WO1'... a Chief Warrant Officer..which is the rank usually held by an RSM. I am just guessing but he may well have earned the rank as RSM of the QYR. And then was transferred to the 'school' as a WO1 continuing to wear the QYR cap badge etc..just a possibility... fwiw

 

[Oddbawl]

He was a WO1, yes. I think, though still researching, that the QYR probably staffed a lot of the school, the Regiment being down the road from it and largely delegated to home defense roles.
I went down to their armoury to get info but their museum is closed for renos.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Interesting...how does one become a Camp Regimental Sergeant Major? I thought the rank denoted the Sergeant Major of a Regiment (Queens York Rangers)? Also, my comment on polishing brass was light hearted...clearly your hat's on too tight where this topic is concerned...so I'll wish you luck with your search for pictures.

The Camp refers to the senior appointment at the installation, the same as a Station Warrant Officer or SWO, a Base Chief or Buffer (which is a term I've heard referring to a Navy stone frigate). Transient units and their command structures have to work with the permanent staff.