Preserving Westmount’s Military Heritage
Westmount, Quebec – 05 June 2026: On 14 May 2026, The Royal Montreal Regiment (RMR) was pleased to welcome members of the Westmount Historical Association (WHA) to the Major-General Charles Basil Price Armoury for the Association’s Annual General Meeting.
The evening provided WHA members with a unique opportunity to learn more about one of Westmount’s most significant heritage buildings and the Regiment that has called it home for more than a century. Guests gathered in the Armoury to hear presentations exploring both the history of the RMR and the architectural significance of military armouries in Canada.
Lieutenant-Colonel (ret’d) Colin Robinson, former Commanding Officer and Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, presented an overview of the history of the RMR, tracing its origins from the First World War through more than a century of service to Canada. His presentation highlighted the sacrifices and achievements of generations of RMR soldiers while underscoring the Regiment’s continuing role within the Canadian Army and the Westmount community.
The second presentation was delivered by architect Laurent Généreux, who examined the history and design of Canadian armouries, with particular emphasis on the RMR’s Armoury. His presentation provided valuable insight into the architectural heritage of these distinctive military buildings and their importance as both functional military facilities and community landmarks. The RMR Armoury itself has been recognized as an important part of Westmount’s built heritage and was recently featured in the Westmount Historian.
At the conclusion of the evening, Lieutenant-Colonel (ret’d) Robinson presented Généreux with a copy of Glory Never Dies, the illustrated history of The Royal Montreal Regiment, as well as a commemorative coin struck in November 2025 marking the 100th anniversary of the Armoury.
Following the event, Caroline Breslaw, the WHA’s Vice-President, expressed its appreciation to the Regiment, noting that members were delighted to visit the Armoury and learn more about both the building and its storied regiment. The successful evening served as a reminder that preserving military history is strengthened through partnerships between organizations dedicated to safeguarding our shared heritage.
