BATSUW Infantry units of the British Army have been using the Camp facilities and training areas of Canadian Forces Base, Wainwright since the early 1960’s. Throughout this time a small British temporary staff has been employed in Camp Wainwright to assist with the administrative requirements of visiting units. For these early training periods the majority of vehicles and equipment were hired from the Canadian Army with the British staff acting as a liaison organization between the visiting unit and the various Canadian logistic agencies. In 1984 the British Army Training Support Unit Wainwright (BATSUW) was formally established with a permanent staff of three, a temporary staff of 14, its own vehicle fleet, equipment scaling and miscellaneous account. The unit occupies building number 433, a purpose built contruction containing offices, stores, vehicle workshops and servicing bay. In 1986/87 and additional building was contructed in the transport compound, supplying extra storage space for vehicle equipments. One further new building was built in 1987/88, to provide covered, heated storage for the six 105mm light guns that became a permanent holding from mid 1987. The BATSUW staff now consists of an infantry LCol (QM), an infantry Major, an infantry RQMS, a REME AQMS, a Sgt RAOC Supplies and a Sgr RAPC on the permanent staff, with an incremental staff of eighteen soldiers from RA, RE, RAOC, REME and RCT on six month unaccompanied tours of duty. In addition, an Adv Trg Offr, an ATO RAOC, and an ATLO RCT, are posted in each year to cover the exercise period. BATSUW is responsible to HQ UKLF for the provision and maintenance of stores, equipment, vehicles and light guns used by three exercising battalion groups each summer, and for the detailed liaison with various Canadian agencies in Wainwright and Jasper National Parks. During the late autumn the unit moves the entire stock of stores equipment and vehicles to the USA where it supports a further two battalion group exercises, normally in Fort Lewis, Washington state.
The above information and pictures opposite have been supplied by the BATSUW staff, LCol Ron Bevan, MBE, Commanding Officer, 1990.
When “Pond Jump West” began in 1964, British troops received an improved aspect of training, wide open spaces. In Britain, it is impossible to be more than 75 miles from the sea, and due to population density, long range weapon firing and many air manoeuvres are not possible. In addition to range training at Camp Wainwright, a taste of the Rockies is scheduled which includes mountain climbing, white water rafting, canoeing, and hiking in mountainous territory. Sounds a bit like a holiday, but it has proven to be an exceptional training segment for British troops in Canada. Participation in the annual Wainwright Parade and Stampede is one activity in the Community that BATSUW has welcomed with exuberance. British regiment bands are a valued part of the parade and often the opening ceremonies of the stampede progam. Wild cow riding has always been a favorite event for the Brits, usually ending in more dragging and tugging than actual riding! During a complicated manoeuvre by British troops attempting to ride wild cows at this year’s stampede, the announcer quipped “So that’s how they do it in Britain!” One could plainly see, the lads were enjoying themselves and the crowd appreciated their participation.