Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve

Recruiting poster from 1915.

The Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (RNCVR) was a naval reserve that was established in Canada in May 1914 and existed until 1923.

Origins

Established on 14 May 1914 under the provisions of the Naval Service Act, the RNCVR's initial authorized strength was 1,200 men, who enrolled as volunteers, agreeing to serve in wartime, either with the Royal Canadian Navy or the Royal Navy.^[1] As initially created, the RNCVR consisted of three geographic commands, or subdivisions:

• Atlantic (from the Atlantic coast to a line just west of Quebec City)
• Lake (from the line just west of Quebec City to west of Brandon, Manitoba)
• Pacific (from west of Brandon to the Pacific coast)^[2]

First World War

During the First World War, an Overseas Division was created to recruit Canadians for service with the Royal Navy. Some 8,000 officers and men joined the RNCVR for service at home or overseas.^[3]

At the end of the war 6,000 men served in the RNCVR at home and abroad. The RNCVR crewed 160 vessels, mainly patrol vessels protecting the shores around Canada and convoy escort duty.^[4]

Demise

The RNCVR quickly rose to prominence during the war, but, along with the Royal Canadian Navy, was neglected after the war drew to a close. Reservists were demobilized, and the organization of the RNCVR was allowed to lapse, being replaced by the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1923.^[5]

See also

• Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve 1923-1946
• Royal Canadian Navy (Reserve) 1946-1968
• Canadian Forces Naval Reserve 1968-present

References

External links

• Canadian Naval Reserve History