His Majesty's Canadian Ship 'Hunter' celebrates the Naval Reserve Centennial

His Majesty's Canadian Ship Hunter is celebrating the Naval Reserve's 100 years of service to Canada this year.

The celebration will feature a Freedom of the City Parade and many other community engagement activities throughout the year. 

For HMCS Hunter, the Naval Reserve's Centennial launched with a "Colours" ceremony at Charles Clark Square in downtown Windsor on January 30. 

During that ceremony, local Naval Reservists hoisted the Centennial flag over the city, the Commanding Officer of HMCS Hunter delivered remarks, and Windsor Mayor, Drew Dilkens, gave a formal Proclamation declaring the launch of Centennial celebrations. 

His Majesty's Canadian Ship Hunter is celebrating the Naval Reserve's 100 years of service to Canada this year. Feb. 2, 2023 (Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Department of National Defence / Government of Canada)

The local Naval Reserve Division partnered with the Royal Canadian Naval Association to unveil a refurbished plaque that honours hometown hero and Father of the Naval Reserve, Rear-Admiral Hose. 

This plaque is one of three in all of Canada. There is one on each Coast and one here at HMCS Hunter, as Windsor is Rear-Admiral Hose's resting place. 

On January 31, 1923, after years of sustained effort, Rear-Admiral Hose saw the creation of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. 

The RCNVR was seen as a great way for the fledgling Royal Canadian Navy to build support so that every major city across Canada would field a Naval Reserve Division. 

Through the Second World War, its strength grew to 77,000 men and women, forming the backbone of the Royal Canadian Navy.

HMCS Hunter now has a strength of about 130 members from across Windsor-Essex.