HMCS York


HMCS York is a Royal Canadian Navy Reserve Division 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]. 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 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, the National 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:
HMCS York moved to its current location in 1959.

Band

HMCS York parades one of the six 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. 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.Image:HMCSYork-plaque-Toronto-CNEGrounds Sept1-05.jpg|thumb|HMCS York plaque at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds in TorontoSignificance: 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:

Notable former members