Work Point Barracks (Victoria) | military

 military  Add category

 Upload a photo

Work Point Barracks, on the west side of the entrance to Victoria Harbour, is part of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. It was designated a Canadian military base in 1887. That year C Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery came by train from Quebec to Esquimalt, where they were to instruct the military in gunnery. To do so they had to clear the forest and build their own barracks, some of which are still in use today. The first permanent infantry unit to garrison at Work Point was B Company, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), from 1920 until 1939, when they shipped to England at the outbreak of war.


When the artillery and engineers left Work Point in 1957, 1st Battalion PPCLI returned to the property and remained there until 1963, when it was replaced by the 1st Bn, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. In 1970, 1 QOR was renamed the 3rd Battalion PPCLI (3 PPCLI), which has since been relocated to Edmonton.

In 1968, as part of the integration of the Canadian Forces, Work Point was incorporated into CFB Esquimalt. Work Point now houses Naval Officer Training Centre Venture (recently relocated from Naden) as well as housing and recreation facilities for military personnel.