Good Evening Yorkers!
Welcome Back! After what seems a very short summer, we are reaching out to let you know of a few updates coming soon in the near future. We would like to welcome our new NLO Cdr Robert Johnston, CD (ret’d) who represented the Association at the recent change of command on Sept 12th and presented the outgoing CO with a gift from the York Association (see below). It was a packed house with a Ship’s Company at nearly 400, you can imagine that space was at a premium! Members Capt(N) Matthew Davies,CD (ret’d), Cdr Walter Moniz, CD and ASLT Anthony Francis (ret’d), our new Secretary, also attended and offered photos from the event. Thank you!
To give you a bit of background on the photo gifted to the CO. This picture was taken by an RCAF plane the 10th Anniversary of NATO
A website re-construction is underway with the assistance of our web-host Aidan and Comms guru Jeff. While this take place the website will be down for a bit of time as this takes place and any time sensitive messaging we have will take place through email and the Alumni Facebook Page for the time being.
On Sept 19 and 20 the HMCS York Jazz Band performed at the Roncesvalles Polish Festival on the Main Stage. And now for a little bit of Band history; the HMCS YORK Jazz Band started in 1942 as the unit was moving over to the Automotive Building from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344 (at 1395 Lakeshore). Stay tuned for details on the Remembrance Concert soon to come.
Archives update: As you may know YORK’s Archives was able to have the leopard skins Bass Drum Leopard skin apron restored by the Canadian Conservation Institute in time for the 2023 Gala. We are waiting on our next application to be approved in order have the 2 tenor drummer aprons restored to the same quality. We hope they will be displayed in a prominent place in the ship one day. These types of projects can take years as the Conservation Institute is short staffed and underfunded. Approvals will take place in December. We’ll let you know! Fingers crossed!
Padre Mulholland
S/M Larry Barwick has passed on the information that LCdr David Mulholland, CD has been accepted to Sunnybrook Hospital in the Veterans’ Long Care Term unit. The transfer will likely take place next week. Please keep him in your prayers.
Coming up:
- General Meeting Nov 14th
Our General Meeting will take place at the Naval Club of Toronto (1910 Gerrard St.E) at 1300 with a link available for those who are too far away to attend in person. We will provide munchies and the bar will be open. Keep an eye out for a link from our comms-guru Jeff Elep as we get closer to the date.
- HMCS CONESTOGA’s 84th Anniversary Commemoration Parade
The Region of Waterloo Detachment of HMCS STAR and Lieutenant Commander Keith Miller CD, cordially invites you to the HMCS CONESTOGA’s 84th Anniversary Commemoration Parade in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion on 17 October 2026. We will be meeting at Queen’s Square at 1315 with the Commemoration beginning at 1330 in front of the Navy WREN Statue. Seating will be available.Reception to follow at the Galt Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 121 on 4 Veterans Way, Cambridge, ON N1R 3K7 This commemoration is open to the public but please RSVP to Petty Officer First Class Don Durant at donald.durant@forces.gc.ca
- **NEW** Membership year re-set Jan 1st, 2027
As was related at our last AGM, our dues member-specific deadlines were too sporadic for members (and the Executive) to keep track of expiry dates. Accordingly, all York Association memberships have been re-set to Jan 1st (with the exception of members who pre-paid for additional years) to make it easier. A reminder e-mail will be sent to members in December. We’re are also requesting that payment be made to The HMCS York Association by cheque or e-transfer (to hmcs.york.association@gmail.com) while the website undergoes re-construction.
Bon Espoir!
Maggie Birtch, CD
President
York Association
