Park Farm Field Punishment Camp _________image_________ July 1951 - 1953 To the onlookers from the haymeadows near Park Farm, the Field Punishment Camp appeared to be a re-enactment of POW days. the men in detention there, however, may have described it as much worse. The commanding officer of the punishment camp and #1 Special Training Company (Canadian Provost Corps), was Captain J. Wallis. The tough WO2, Brennan, was a memorable character of the staff. The detention camp enclosure was indeed similar to the POW confines. High page wire fencing surrounded the area, guards were posted, head counts and regular inspections of the inmates quarters were carried out. The men interned at this establihment may have been AWOL, charged with insubordination, left their post during training exercises, charged with theft, or any number of various reasons. It was the duty of #1 Special Training Company to discipline and reform the men under their supervision. Daily routine for the prisoners was excrutiating. Their commander and his staff did anything and everything to make life as difficult as possible for their charges. Everything was to be spic and span within the enclosure, which was a chore in itself with the quarters being tented. If a shine could be found on dirt or canvas floors, this was the place to find it. The tiniest imperfection had to be remedied immediately. Punishment methods are similar in any detention camp within the military, seeming cruel to civilians not familiar with the army’s stringent policy. Inmates were often ordered to mark quick time while shaving, do laps of the compound or unending pushups for the slightest hesitiation in carrying out instructions. Backpacks were loaded with 60 pounds of rocks and a lengthy cross-country march would ensue. Rations were very basic and no personal belongings were allowed. Harsh commands and strict regulations were the daily lot of the soldier for the length of his sentence. No kind words spoken here! If he stayed with the army upon his release from the punishment camp, there was every chance this man who knew discipline would be promoted to higher rank within a short time.