RCNA Reunion Parade, May 1983

The Royal Canadian Naval Association held its 29th reunion in Kingston on May 20-22, 1983. On Saturday the 21st, we went to City Hall to see the parade at which the vets received the key to the city. Over 1,500 delegates attended from all across Canada, with the parade under marshal Bill Schiek.

Form-up time on Ontario Street, two blocks south of the Ramada Inn, was 10 a.m., with the parade taking just a few minutes to reach City Hall at 11 a.m. (above). The salute was taken by Rear-Admiral (Ret'd) A.H.G. Storrs of Victoria, BC. A banquet that evening for 900, with music for a ball provided by a 12-person ensemble from Ottawa's Governor-General's Foot Guards band, was held at the Cataraqui Community Arena.

Photo-bombed by a cane-wielding vet (above). Oh, the stories these fellow could tell - Hearts of Oak.

Inspection underway (above) then ready to step off:

Rounding the corner from Brock Street onto King Street:

A naval warrant officer, likely from HMCS Cataraqui, is here to keep the parade in good order:

Down Johnson Street from St. George's Cathedral, making the turn onto Ontario Street:

Another parade on Sunday saw the veterans form up near the Cricket Field on Barrie Street and parade to the Cross of Sacrifice for laying of 25 wreaths. The Vimy Band (above) provided marching music for both parades. Reunion chairman was noted local naval veteran Art Sleap.

Kingston's diminutive naval division formed in 1939 consisted of 12 members under Lt.(N) W. Rigney, housed in the former feed mill building at the foot of Princess Street. By the end of the war, Canada's navy was the third largest in the world, charged with defending vital convoy sea lanes between Canada and Great Britain.

Ready, Aye, Ready.