Historic Sites of Manitoba: McGregor Armoury / Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury / Fort Garry Horse Museum and Archives (551 Machray Avenue, Winnipeg)

The McGregor Armoury was designed by Winnipeg architect Herbert Edward Matthews and built in 1913. The Fort Garry Horse Museum and Archives was established in the Armoury in 1978.

Martin Park, a small green space on the north side of the Armoury building, is named in honour of Lieutenant-Colonel G. J. Martin who was killed on a training accident on Mount Worthington on 9 June 1969. The park was dedicated on 27 November 1970 (Cambrai Day) by Major General B. F. MacDonald and rededicated by Lieutenant General J. A. Fox on 18 October 2003. A Sherman tank plaque was unveiled on 17 October 1987 for the regiment’s 75th anniversary.

On 20 November 2018, the armoury was officially renamed Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury, the 101st anniversary of the first Battle of Cambrai where Harcus “Henry” Strachan won the Victoria Cross.

McGregor Armoury

McGregor Armoury (November 2014)
Source: Nathan Kramer

Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury

Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury (December 2018)
Source: George Penner

Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury

Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury (May 2023)
Source: Glen Toews

Aerial view of the Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury

Aerial view of the Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury (August 2023)
Source: George Penner

Interior of Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury

Interior of Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury (May 2023)
Source: Glen Toews

Interior of Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury

Interior of Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan VC MC Armoury (May 2023)
Source: Glen Toews

Martin Park commemorative plaque

Martin Park commemorative plaque (2010)
Source: City of Winnipeg

Sherman tank at the McGregor Armoury

Sherman tank at the McGregor Armoury (November 2014)
Source: Nathan Kramer

Grounds at the McGregor Armoury

Grounds at the McGregor Armoury (May 2023)
Source: Glen Toews

Light Armoured Vehicle used in the Afghan War at the McGregor Armoury

Light Armoured Vehicle used in the Afghan War at the McGregor Armoury (October 2024)
Source: George Penner

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.92784, W97.14032
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Herbert Edward Matthews (1868-1941)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Fort Garry Horse Monument (Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Holy Trinity Anglican Church (256 Smith Street, Winnipeg)

Memorable Manitobans: Harcus “Henry” Strachan (1887-1982)

The Fort Garry Horse Regimental Home Page

Sources:

Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.

We thank Nathan Kramer, Glen Toews, and George Penner for providing information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 7 November 2024

Historic Sites of Manitoba

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