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Vancouver Now & Then: The Seaforth Armoury in 1936 and 2020

It was once hailed as "the finest armoury in the British Empire."
John Bentley - Vancouver Now & Then
seaforth
Vancouver's Seaforth Armory, as seen in 1936, when it opened, and more recently, in 2020John Bentley/Vancouver Now & Then and Vancouver Archives

The Seaforth Armoury is located at 1650 Burrard St, and is the home of the legendary Seaforth Highlanders, formed in 1910.

Their members suffered heavy losses in battles over the years, including Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele.

During the Second World War, they collected 25 battle honours, and "wrote the book'"on urban combat for the Canadian Army.

In 1945, they were welcomed home by over 200,000 Vancouverites. 

Further reading: "The Seaforth Armoury: From Concept to Construction," and '"The Finest Armoury in the British Empire!"'

seaforth-armoury
Vancouver's Seaforth Armory, as seen in 1936, when it opened, and more recently, in 2020. John Bentley/Vancouver Now & Then and Vancouver Archives

John Bentley is an architectural photographer who has photographed the inside and outside of thousands of buildings around Vancouver. Using images from the Vancouver Archives he offers a glimpse of the past and present on his site Vancouver Now & Then.