A History of Brunswicker
In 1923 the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) was created with a complement of 1000 officers and men. It was formed by the Director of Naval Service – Capt Walter Hose. He wanted a Reserve Division to be created in each of the principle cities across Canada. This volunteer Reserve was for civilians who did not want to serve full-time at sea. These reservists were intended to provide a group of partially trained personnel for use in emergency. In June of 1923, a Reserve Division of 100 – a full company – was formed in Saint John called the Saint John Full Company. In 1925 a Naval Board of Inquiry recommended that the unit be reduced to a ‘Half Company ‘ (50 men) despite the efforts of the Commanding Officer Lt(N) Cross to keep it a full company. This change came about in January 1927.
Although some of its particulars have changed throughout the years, the primary mission of BRUNSWICKER has remained largely unchanged in spirit – to provide trained sailors to Canada’s navy. The 1923 training schedule included rigging, cutlass, compass and helm, semaphore, and a large measure of squad drill. Today the topics include diesel mechanics, electronic communications, digital data processing, and service assault rifle. Of course some topics such as ropework and military drill never change.
Unlike its counterparts in the Army and the Air Force, the Naval Reserve is responsible for a number of tasks, which are distinct from those of the Regular Force. These include manning Canada’s 12 new Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels, 4 Naval Cooperation and Guidance to Shipping Units, 4 Port Security Units, Mine Countermeasures, Administrative & Logistic Support, Recruiting Base, Community & Public Relations, and Naval presence in 24 cities across Canada. In addition to above, the Naval Reserve mission is to provide Maritime Command with trained personnel for the manning of combat and support elements to meet Canada’s Defence objectives in time of peace, crisis and war, which is undertaken co-operatively with the Regular Force.
Although the BRUNSWICKER “stone frigate” represents a very modern and well-equipped training facility, the sailors are the most important part of the organization. These are very dedicated and capable men and women who have decided to embark on a rewarding part-time career while serving their country at the same time. At present, a full time support staff of five Regular Force and five Reserve Force members support BRUNSWICKER’s crew of approximately 130. Naval Reservists, aside from their military commitment, represent a broad cross section of the local community including lawyers, teachers, accountants, mechanics, engineers and students. Without these “citizen sailors” the Naval Reserve would not exist.
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