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Nanaimo Military Camp big part of city in Second World War

During the Second World War, the Nanaimo Military Camp served as a major training hub for thousands of soldiers. The Department of National Defence established the site to prepare troops for global deployment, utilizing Nanaimo's deep-sea port for transport.
Officials selected the isolated site in 1939 after acquiring more than 80 hectares of land to keep trainees focused. The facility was designed to house 16,000 soldiers, though its population only occasionally exceeded 10,000 during the conflict.
Elements of the 13th Infantry Brigade trained at the camp before joining the Aleutian Island Campaign. Almost 5,000 Canadian troops joined nearly 30,000 American and allied soldiers to invade Kiska Island, only to find Japanese forces had already evacuated.
Christine Meutzner, former manager of the Nanaimo Community Archives, described the era as the city's most exciting time. "That's when the Pygmy Pavilion was, like, crazy," she said of the vibrant atmosphere locals and soldiers shared.
By 1945, the site transitioned to a reserve-force training camp, while portions became the Nanaimo Indian Hospital. Today, the Nanaimo Military Museum preserves its history, as families of veterans still visit seeking information about their relatives' service.

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