HMCS York

HMCS ''York'' is a Royal Canadian Navy Reserve Division (NRD) located in Toronto, Ontario. Dubbed a stone frigate, HMCS ''York'' is a land-based naval establishment for part-time sailors as well as a local recruitment centre for the Canadian Naval Reserve.

History

The unit was established in 1942 to replace the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve Half Company created in 1923. During World War II, it was a premiere naval recruiting depot in the British Commonwealth through which over 17,000 personnel passed during the years of the war.

HMCS ''York'' was named after the original name of the city of Toronto and the first British commercial craft on Lake Ontario.

''York'' is home to the Canadian Forces Sailing Association's Toronto establishment.

Athletics

During the Second World War, Toronto HMCS ''York'' fielded a football team in the Ontario Rugby Football Union (ORFU). Some of the notable players and coaches associated with the team were: Royal Copeland, Steve Karrys, Bob Stewart and the coach Teddy Morris.

Facilities

Although located on the Lake Ontario shoreline, York has no facilities for naval ships. Rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB) are deployed at the division, but the mooring facilities to the south of HMCS ''York'' belong to Toronto's branch of the Canadian Forces Sailing Association, th

ational Yacht Club, and Alexandra Yacht Club, and are for pleasure craft and such working vessels as serve the clubs.

Prior to 1947, the division was located at two other locations:

1395 Lake Shore Boulevard West: 1926–1959
* home to Sea Cadet Corps and the Navy League of Canada (RCSCC Vanguard merged with RCSCC Haida, Ark Royal and the Navy League Wrenettes Corps in 1958) until 1959
* sold Rameses Shrine Temple which remained here until 1983 when it became home to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344

Canadian National Exhibition Automotive Building: 1942–1947

HMCS ''York'' moved to its current location in 1959.

Band

HMCS ''York'' parades one of the five Canadian Forces Naval Reserve Ship's Bands in Canada. The band is a professional brass and reed band with approximately 30 members. Their primary operational and training period is from September to May.

The band is composed of the following assets:

*Brass quintet
*Jazz combos
*Big Band
*Concert Band
*Parade Band
*Soloists

It was formed in 1939 from the a Naval School of Music that was established at HMCS ''York'' by Lieutenant Commander Alfred Zeally (who is today regarded as the "Father of the Royal Canadian Navy bands"). A notable director of the band includes Robert Hartford Plunkett, who served as the band director in its early years as an official reserve band.

Badge

Description: Azure a white rose of York rayonne Or.Significance: HMCS ''York'' was named after the original name of the City of Toronto and the first British commercial craft on Lake Ontario. The badge design was designed by the Admiralty who granted its use as the ship's badge for York.

Personnel

HMCS ''York'' serves as a Naval Reserve Division with more than 350 full-time and part-time naval personnel. The current Commanding Officer is Commander Paul Smith,
MSM, CD.

Lodger units at HMCS ''York'':

* Naval Reserve air squadron, VC 920: 1953–1963.
* Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps ''Vanguard

1958–present.
* 618 "Queen City" Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadro

January 10, 1956 – present.

Notable former members

* Leading Seaman Robert Binder , recipient of the Medal of Bravery.
* Lieutenant(N) Chris Devita , recipient of the Medal of Bravery.
* Captain(N) Peter C. Newman , author of non-fiction Canadiana (mainly in the field of business) and former editor of The Toronto Star and Maclean's.

References

External links

HMCS ''York''

{{DEFAULTSORT:York
Canadian Forces Naval Reserve
Canadian Forces bases in Ontario
Naval installations of Canada
Organizations based in Toronto
Military units and formations of Canada in World War II
Military installations established in 1942
1942 establishments in Ontario