Wainwright’s Alternative As war lifted the doom of the Depression from Canada’s shoulders, with industry and agriculture expanding into every vacant nook, Wainwright suffered from the blow of losing a park, its buffalo and the tourist industry that for many years had offered considerable prosperity and employment to their community. Its citizens, represented by the Board of Trade sent four delegates to the Liberal government in Ottawa to encourage military usage of the abandoned park. The delegation consisted of Dr. Middlemass, Leland Baxter, J. A. MacKenzie, adn Walter Huntingford. W. L. M. King, now experiencing his third interval as Canada’s Prime Minister, had already considered the possiblity of the Department of National Defence utilizing this ideal area as a training facility for troops needed overseas. Parliament’s decision accepted the proposition and preparations to receive the troops in training were begun. Bud Cotton had continued as warden tending to the maintenance of the park. The cattalo operation still existed within the enclosure, and it had been arranged that the remainder of the large fenced area be used as community pasture. The DND leased nearly 132,000 acres to serve as the training area. In 1943 and 1944 Buffalo Park Training Camp was occupied by troops of the 6th Canadian Infantry Division from Pacific Command, together with some units engaged in coastal defense. Lt. Col. E. Brown held position as Commander at the summer camp. Training at the brigade level was then undertaken, each brigade given artillery support in manoeuvres. A company of tanks “D” Coy. 781, on loan from the United States participated in smoke trials. Exercises labelled YAK, HAWK, OWL, PORCUPINE, and KING would be familiar to those participating,. Most training camps were tented, however huts were available for some. Electricity, water and sewer facilities were not supplied, but plenty of water was obtainable for showers. Mosquitoes and sand, extreme heat and muddy conditions following rain were overcomeable obstacles listed in several military reports concerning training exercises. Construction of about one hundred buildings at the camp took place during these years, most work completed by Bennett and White Contractors. Wainwright’s boundaries were also expanding as additional housing was necessary. Wainwright’s alternative proved to be historical, in that it was the beginning of an extensive training facility in Canada’s western provinces.

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_________image_________ Left: Members of 19 Platoon D Coy _________image_________ Above: Tent Lines of 6 Infantry Division, 1943. There was enough tentage for 15,000 troops.