1

As the camps became larger and larger, wholesale clearing of brush was conducted to enlarge the training area and dykes were established along Trout Creek to stabilize the banks and preserve more training area. But it was clear the site was becoming too small and the formation of new units such as the 28th New Brunswick Dragoons (Cavalry), the Canadian Army Service Corp (Service Support) and the VIII Field Ambulance of the Canadian Army Medical Corp added to this congestion. To support the activities of the cavalry and the artillery additional training area was leased to the east of the camp called Morrison's Farm. Due to the demand it was also getting difficult to get enough quality horses to conduct the training each year. To ease congestion camps are split and the camp was open continuously for most of the summer.

A number of special events occurred during this period which enhanced the role of the militia and the men training at the Camp. In 1897 the area was represented by members of the militia at Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee including 4 Hussars and 4 infantry from the 62nd Battalion. A contingent from the Australian Mounted Infantry was hosted in the summer of 1910, which came to Canada to review cavalry infantry tactics and selected Camp Sussex due to the high level of efficiency being demonstrated by all units consistently over the years. The Coronation of King George V resulted in a large formal parade and the firing of a "fue de jouie" by the artillery at the Camp. Large crowds joined in this celebration in June of 1911.

Two newly developed forms of technology also entered the camp in this period. The telegraph and more so the telephone was in its infancy and the responsibility for maintaining these systems was assigned to the Engineers but was soon passed to the Signal Corp as one of their areas of responsibility which continues to this day. The other was the advent and the rising popularity of the automobile. In 1913 it was noted that no lees than 100 automobiles visited the Camp from various parts of the province during one camp alone.

As this period draws to a close it must be noted during this final camp in 1914, various discussions were conducted with senior personnel about a new central camp that was going to be developed near McGivney Junction adjacent to the Trans-Continental Railway in the middle of the province. This Camp would be large enough to accommodate all the units in the province at one time. However this idea would be shelved with the events of the next month following close of the 1914 camp and not followed up on for 40 years.

2

The 74th Battalion (The New Brunswick Rangers)
1903
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
New Brunswick Public Archives - P37-509 / No.6 Co. 74 Regt. Sussex, September 11, 1901
Kings County Historical Society
A Historical Outline, The New Brunswick Rangers
Annual Report, Department of Militia and Defence of the Dominion of Canada

3

74th Bn Flag
1910
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
Tom McLaughlan photo
Town of Sussex
A Historical Outline, The New Brunswick Rangers

4

74th Battalion Pay list 1908
1907-1908
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
Archives Canada
Annual Report, Department of Militia and Defence of the Dominion of Canada

5

The First Permanent Buildings - The Armoury
1903
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
New Brunswick Provincial Archives - P11-151 / The Armoury - Camp Sussex
Annual Report, Department of Militia and Defence of the Dominion of Canada

6

The Guns on the Firing line
Circa 1903
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
New Brunswick Provincial Archives - P13-154 / Artillery in the field
Annual Report, Department of Militia and Defence of the Dominion of Canada

7

Reviewing Officer
Circa 1903
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
New Brunswick Provincial Archives - P13-160 / Woodstock Battery of Artillery passing in review before Col. Vidal
Annual Report, Department of Militia and Defence of the Dominion of Canada
Militia General Orders

8

Members, 74th Battalion (New Brunswick Rangers)
1900
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
Kings County Historical Society
A Historical Outline, The New Brunswick Rangers
Annual Report, Department of Militia and Defence of the Dominion of Canada

9

74th Battalion (New Brunswick Rangers) on Parade
1900
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
Kings County Historical Society
Militia General Orders
Annual Report, Department of Militia and Defence of the Dominion of Canada
A Historical Outline, The New Brunswick Rangers

10

Camp Sussex Tent City
Circa 1900
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
New Brunswick Provincial Archives - P13-140 / Bell tents - Camp Sussex
Annual Report, Department of Militia and Defence of the Dominion of Canada

11

Camp Sussex Tent Lines
July 1900
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
New Brunswick Provincial Archives - P13-141 / Bell tents - Camp Sussex
Annual Report, Department of Militia and Defence of the Dominion of Canada

12

General view of Sussex, NB
1900
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
Gary Bowser