HMCS Carleton

HMCS Carleton
Active 1941–present
Country Canada Canada
Branch  Royal Canadian Navy
Type Stone frigate
Role Reserve unit
Size Approx. 230
Garrison/HQ 79 Prince of Wales Dr Ottawa ON K1A 0K2
Motto(s) Vincemus Armus (With These Arms We Conquer)
Colors Scarlet and White
Equipment 24 ft RHIB (ZH-733 CDO)
Battle honours Lake Champlain, 1776
Commanders
Current
commander		 Commander Marc Zandvliet

HMCS Carleton is a Royal Canadian Navy Reserve Division (NRD) located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Dubbed a stone frigate, HMCS Carleton is a land-based naval establishment named after HMS Carleton, a Britishschooner which took part in the Battle of Valcour Island, in 1776, during the American War of Independence.

History

In 1923, the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) was established. This Reserve Force was organized into companies and half companies located in fourteen cities across Canada. In 1935, the name of the Ottawa Half-Company was changed to the "Ottawa Division of the RCNVR".

Just prior to Canada's declaration of war on Germany, the government called the Reserve into active service. For the duration of hostilities, the Ottawa Division concentrated on the recruitment and basic training of seamen. By the end of the war some 4,620 officers and men had enlisted through the Ottawa Reserve Division.

On 1 November 1941, the Ottawa Division was commissioned as HMCS Carleton after HMS Carleton, a schooner which took part in the Battle of Valcour Island, in 1776. The schooner was named after Governor Guy Carleton, who defeated Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold at the Battle of Quebec on 31 December, 1775.[1]

On 17 December 1943 HMCS Carleton moved to its current facilities at Canadian Forces Reserve Barrack Dow's Lake, when the new "stone frigate" was inaugurated in the presence of Major General Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone and the then Governor General of Canada. In 1944, a new type of naval presence was added to Carleton when the barracks blocks were occupied by the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRENS). New training facilities were then added to Carleton in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

A memorial anchor with plaques on a concrete base, and nine-pounder guns were erected by HMCS Carleton. This memorial, which was unveiled on 6 May 1973 by Governor General Roland C. Michener, C.C., C.M.M., C.D., is dedicated to the Naval Reservists and the Naval Reserve in the fiftiether year of the Naval Reserve.[2]

Since its establishment, members of Carleton have played an active role in the National Capital Region. In recognition of its contribution to the community, Carleton was presented with the Key to the City of Ottawa in 1976.

HMCS Carleton barracks at CFRB Dow's Lake, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Demolished in September 2013.

Operations

Until September 2013, HMCS Carleton operated continuously to provide employment and training for its sailors. Its facilities consisted of an administration building, drill hall, classroom building, shooting range, boat shed and a large vehicle compound.

On 19 March 2008 several main supports for the roof of the drill hall failed resulting in its closure and then demolition, and this accelerated plans to replace the 65-year-old administration building and drill hall. Temporary office and classroom spaces, as well as a temporary parade structure, were installed on site. At the end of September 2013 demolition of the administration building began. A new administration building and drill hall will be built for HMCS Carleton.[3] Construction began in late 2013 and is expected to be completed by 2015.[4] Currently, one building remains to host the reserve unit while the work is completed. Once the rest of the buildings are constructed, this building will also be demolished.[4]

Although most of the sailors who are members of HMCS Carleton work on a part-time basis through the training year (September to May), there is a staff of ten full-time members (five Class B Reservists and five Regular Force) who ensure the efficient operation and administration of the unit.

HMCS Carleton has administration nights every Tuesday, and training nights on Thursdays from mid-September through to early May. HMCS Carleton also has weekend training throughout the year in order to augment training.

Battle honours

Badge

Description: Barry wavy of eight Argent and Azure the crest from the Arms of Sir Guy Carleton, Baron Dorchester which is "A dexter arm embowed and naked at the elbow the shirt sleeve folded above the elbow Argent and vested Gules; the hand grasping an arrow in bend sinister point downwards proper."[5]

Significance: Although the division was named after the British schooner HMS Carleton (Battle of Valcour Island, 11 October 1776), there is no doubt that the original ship was named in honour of Sir Guy Carleton who is accredited with having saved Canada for the British in the defeat of Montgomery and Arnold at Quebec, New Year's Eve 1775–1776. Placing the Carleton crest upon the field of heraldic water indicates connection with the sea.[5]

Lodger units

See also

References

  1. ↑ General, The Office of the Secretary to the Governor. "HMCS Carleton [Military Institution]". reg.gg.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-10.
  2. ↑ "HMCS Carleton memorial". National Defence Canada. 16 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "Defence Construction Canada". MERX. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  4. 1 2 Pugliese, David (11 July 2014). "New 'stone frigate' under construction at HMCS Carleton". Defence Watch. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  5. 1 2 Personnel, Government of Canada, National Defence, Chief Military. "HMCS Carleton". www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-04-01.

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