Saskatchewan celebrates 100 years of Royal Canadian Navy Reserve

Saskatchewan is celebrating 100 years of the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve.

Established in 1923, the navy reserve has two divisions in the province. HMCS Unicorn in Saskatoon was founded April 27, 1923, and HMCS Queen in Regina was started just two months later, on June 26, 1923.

The primary mission of the naval reserve is to recruit, train and deploy “citizen sailors” to the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Armed Forces at sea, at home and abroad. During the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve became essential to recruitment efforts in Canada.

Commodore Pat Montgomery, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve, said he was happy to see a proclamation from the provincial government marking the 100th anniversary.

“As the members of these Naval Reserve Divisions commemorate a century of notable service and rich tradition, they also continue to proudly wear the uniform and serve both at home and abroad – exemplifying professionalism and poise in this historic yet modern institution,” Montgomery said in a statement.

“I couldn’t be more proud that they are receiving much-deserved recognition in the Saskatchewan legislature, formally marking their centenarian years.”

Greg Lawrence, the MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow and Saskatchewan military liaison, said the navy reserve has been an integral part of Saskatchewan’s military contributions over the past 100 years.

“Our Saskatchewan units were essential in helping recruit navy reservists to defend Canada’s freedom at home and abroad over the past century,” Lawrence said in a statement.

“Saskatchewan is proud to acknowledge and recognize the service and sacrifice of all our naval reservists over the past 100 years as we mark this milestone.”

Cmdr. Matthew Dalzell was at the Legislature for Tuesday’s event. He said his father, uncles and a great-uncle were also in the Navy Reserve, which he said makes it “a bit of a family business.”

“It feels like a real honour,” he said. “I’m really proud to have this opportunity to be part of this, to be here along with some representatives of some who are truly great Canadians of our Naval Reserve, serving sailors and officers and then of course also to have veterans here with us too from the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War, as well as from NATO missions (and) UN missions.

“It’s great to see sort of that whole 80 years of that century of service represented here today.”

Retired Sub-Lt. Ruth Bond-Martinson, who joined the Navy Reserve in 1943, said it was a “very big honour” to be in attendance.

“I’m so proud of my navy,” Bond-Martinson said. “You just need to meet my family and know.”

When asked why she wanted to join the navy, Bond-Martinson said: “The men.”

“I was a young girl, remember,” she said. “They all were so handsome. They’re the best-looking of the military.”

— With files from 980 CJME’s Lindsay Newman