Military Barracks

In 1940, the immediate need for housing was met by the construction of rows of H-Huts - standard Military-style barracks designed for single men.

Barracks Construction 1940 — Barracks Construction in 1940.

Abanodoned Barracks — The Barracks standing abandoned.

Meals were provided in Mess Halls so these units were similar in purpose to motels. The occupants were here for a short time. They were functional. Officers' Quarters were a bit more permanent - more of a home.

Barracks Hallway — A Hallway connected the two halves of an H-Hut.

The role of the barracks would have changed somewhat during the peacetime role of the Base - more of a home for single staff.

A Memory from Bill Hillman

"...in the early '60s, while earning tuition money for university, I worked summers in the CE section painting PMQs, hangars, fuel tanks, etc. I boarded in one of the barracks throughout the week but many nights I climbed onto the military shuttle bus to Brandon -- guitar slung over my shoulder -- to play with one of the country, rock or TV bands I was playing with at that time."

In the mid 1990's, the RCAF returned to the former RCAF Station Rivers, with the help of some movie magic, in the movie “For The Moment”, a film about an Australian pilot who comes to Manitoba to train under the BCATP, starring Russel Crowe. While most of the movie was filmed at the Brandon Airport, scenes of the actors standing outside their barracks were filmed at Rivers, requiring a fresh coat of green paint to be applied to the old buildings.