History
In the Canadian Forces, an armoury is a place where a reserve unit trains, meets, and parades.
After the fire (July 2008)"JE ME SOUVIENS" (1989) by André Gauthier (sculptor), a 6’ X 9’ bronze 'haut-relief' bronze and granite wall memorial, was erected at Place George V in front of the Grande Allée Armoury in Québec City, Quebec. Unveiled on November 11, 1989, the sculpture honours the memory of the soldiers from the Royal 22e Régiment (R 22e R or "Van Doos French Canadian regiment who were killed during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. The sculpture was inspired by A.T.C. Bastiens' painting “L’Avance” at the Canadian War Museum. The names of soldiers are inscribed in granite on the monument.
The Voltigeurs du Quebec Armoury was destroyed by a fire on April 4, 2008. All but a rear wall and turrets beside the front door were burned. Les Voltigeurs de Quebec Museum in the amoury which housed various artifacts from the regiment was also lost in the fire. However, officials estimate that 90 percent of the artifacts were saved due to the efforts of members of the regiment and local firefighters. The armoury was to have been one of the venues for the celebration of Quebec's 400th birthday. The armoury's wooden roof was one of the largest of its kind in Canada.
Calls have been made by politicians to rebuild the armoury, to which the federal government has responded positively by allocating $2 million for reconstruction planning. In the fall of 2008, the regimental association launched a lawsuit against the Department of National Defence, blaming negligence on the part of the federal government for the blaze. In 2010, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Josée Verner announced federal plans to rebuild the armoury by 2016.
Read more about this topic: Quebec City Armoury
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