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81-828: The Royal Naval Reserve ( RNR ) is one of the two volunteer reserve forces of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom . Together with the Royal Marines Reserve , they form the Maritime Reserve . The present RNR was formed by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve, created in 1859, and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve ( RNVR ), created in 1903. The Royal Naval Reserve has seen action in World War I , World War II ,

162-713: A mine off Ramsgate on 12 October 1915 in an explosion that killed at least five other seamen. One casualty, a Newfoundlander serving with the Royal Naval Reserve, was subsequently buried in the Hamilton Road Cemetery, Deal , Kent. A number of RNR officers qualified as pilots and flew aircraft and airships with the Royal Naval Air Service , whilst many RNR ratings served ashore with the RN and RNVR contingents at Gallipoli and at

243-590: A Cadet Forces commission, introduced in 2017 and restated in 2018; previously they were appointed within their respective Corps, rather than commissioned (unless they already held a commission separately). They are titled ‘(SCC) RNR’ or ‘(CCF) RNR’ to differentiate from the deployable Royal Naval Reserve. The modern RNR has sixteen Royal Naval Reserve Units (with three satellite units). These are: Previous units that closed due to recommendations in Options for Change: The RNR had an exceptional war record, as evidenced by

324-550: A Cadet Rating and proceed for officer training at HMS  King Alfred . Those who did not meet and maintain the required standards while as CW Candidates or while training at King Alfred would continue to serve as RN ratings. Those who were successful would become Temporary Probationary Acting Sub-Lieutenants in the RNVR (those under the age of 21 became Midshipmen ). After a month of satisfactory service they would no longer be Probationary and their ranks were confirmed (effectively

405-497: A base was established at St. George's in 1794, with the fleet anchoring at Murray's Anchorage in the northern lagoon, named for Vice Admiral Sir George Murray , who became the Commander-in-Chief of the new River St. Lawrence and Coast of America and North America and West Indies Station . The Admiralty also began purchasing land at Bermuda's West End, including Ireland Island , Spanish Point , and smaller islands in

486-536: A branch of service. RNR Officers join as a General Duty Reserve, and specialise after commissioning and passing their Fleet Board while RNR Ratings join as General Entry and specialise after basic training. Most branches are open to both ratings and officers with the exception of fleet protection (ratings only) and a small number which recruit exclusively from the officer ranks. Listed below is an overview of branches, each of which contains further sub-specialisations. The University Royal Naval Units , although under

567-581: A large number with the West Indies Squadron who became casualties at the Battle of Coronel and later at Jutland . Fishermen of the RNR section served with distinction on board trawlers fitted out as minesweepers for mine clearance operations at home and abroad throughout the war, where they suffered heavy casualties and losses. One such casualty was armed naval drifter HMT Frons Olivae , which hit

648-587: A number of conflicts including the Boer War and the Boxer Rebellion . Prior to the First World War , one hundred RNR officers were transferred to permanent careers in the regular navy—later referred to as "the hungry hundred". In their professional careers, many RNR officers went on to command the largest passenger liners of the day and some also held senior positions in the shipping industry and

729-472: A number of overseas deployments, including four ships deployed on operations to British Guiana and the West Indies in 1965. The Ton-class minesweepers were replaced by new River-class ships in the mid-1980s, with all but one of the 12-strong class being assigned to RNR divisions. From 1938 until 1957, the RNVR provided aircrew personnel in the form of their own Air Branch. In 1947, their contribution

810-839: A permanent Naval Yard were purchased by the Royal Navy in 1758 and the Yard was officially commissioned in 1759. The Yard served as the main base for the Royal Navy in North America during the Seven Years' War , the American Revolution , and the French Revolutionary Wars . The economy of Bermuda had been entirely dependent on maritime activities, including privateering , since the 17th Century. Following American independence in 1783, Bermuda

891-502: A promotion from Acting to 'full' Sub-Lieutenant) after three months. Men over the age of 25 who had earned a watchkeeping certificate were eligible for lieutenant rank after one year's service. By 1945 there were 43,805 officers in the RNVR, nicknamed the "Wavy Navy", after the 3/8-inch wavy sleeve 'rings' that officers wore to distinguish them from their RN and RNR counterparts. These new officers were primarily assigned to anti-submarine warfare / convoy escort , amphibious warfare and

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972-492: A register of people who could be mobilised and trained swiftly in the event of war to quickly provide a core of new personnel. By September 1939 there were around 2,000 RNV(S)R members, mostly yachtsmen, who when mobilised were sent to active service after a 10-day training course while the RNVR began with a regular 12-week course for officers. On the outbreak of the Second World War, no more ratings were accepted into

1053-527: A royal announcement that the RNR and RNVR were to lose their distinctive insignia. Both reserves would now use the same style as the regular RN - officers would wear the straight stripes of lace but with an 'R' in the executive curl while ratings would be distinguished by 'RNR' and 'RNVR' cap tallies or shoulder flashes as required. In 1954 the RNVR's role in the British armed forces for the Cold War era

1134-617: The "South American Squadron" , but this had been withdrawn due to financial constraints in 1921, since when the British flag has been shown there only by special visits (such as during the world cruise of the First Cruiser Squadron in 1924 or by HMS Repulse during the March to October, 1925, tour of Africa and South America by the Prince of Wales '), or by detaching a ship from the North America and West Indies Station. In 1942

1215-754: The Admiral Commanding, Reserves , the RNR was administered jointly by the Admiralty and the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen at the Board of Trade throughout its separate existence. In 1910, the RNR (Trawler Section) was formed to recruit and train fishermen for wartime service in minesweepers and other small warships. Officers and men of the RNR soon gained the respect of their naval counterparts with their professional skills in navigation and seamanship, and served with distinction in

1296-627: The Battle of the Somme with the Royal Naval Division . Merchant service officers and men serving in armed merchant cruisers , hospital ships , fleet auxiliaries and transports were entered in the RNR for the duration of the war on special agreements. Although considerably smaller than the RN and the RNVR (which was three times the size of the RNR at the end of the war), the RNR had an exceptional war record, members being awarded twelve Victoria Crosses . On commencement of hostilities in

1377-508: The Boer War showed that it would not be possible to call up a sufficient number of reservists without negatively impacting the work of the merchant and fishing fleets. In 1903 an Act of Parliament was passed enabling the Admiralty to raise a second reserve force – the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. While the RNR consisted of professional civilian sailors, the RNVR was open to civilians with no prior sea experience. By

1458-479: The Coastal Forces division - these being the areas of the naval service which saw the most growth during the Second World War, and which were most suitable for employing temporary officers who were quickly-trained in specific areas of expertise. In 1942 the Admiralty revised its arrangements for manning the fleet, reflecting the expansion of the service, the numbers of experienced career officers available and

1539-708: The Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet , flying his flag back in the United Kingdom. SNOWI also served as Island Commander Bermuda (ISCOMBERMUDA) in the NATO chain of command, reporting to Commander-in-Chief, Western Atlantic Area, as part of SACLANT . The ships of the command were reduced to two Station Frigates. All remaining Admiralty land, including Admiralty House at Clarence Hill and Ireland Island, along with War Department lands in Bermuda, were sold to

1620-662: The Great Sound with the intent of building the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda , and a permanent naval base there, with its anchorage on Grassy Bay . The construction of this base was to drag on through much of the Nineteenth Century. Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren was appointed Commander-in-Chief in 1812, and he and his staff seem to have spent most of their time at Bermuda during the War of 1812 (he

1701-774: The Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan . The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) has its origins in the Register of Seamen, established in 1835 to identify men for naval service in the event of war, although just 400 volunteered for duty in the Crimean War in 1854 out of 250,000 on the Register. This led to a Royal Commission on Manning the Navy in 1858, which in turn led to the Naval Reserve Act of 1859. This established

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1782-630: The Jamaica Station , and in 1816 it was renamed the North America and Lakes of Canada Station . The headquarters was initially in Bermuda during the winter and Halifax during the summer, but Admiralty House, Bermuda , became the year-round headquarters of the station in 1821, when the area of command became the North America and Newfoundland Station (with the absorption of the Newfoundland Station ). In 1818 Halifax became

1863-726: The Navy List on VE Day , all but 600 had returned to civilian life by the time the RNVR was officially reconstituted in its original peacetime form in October 1946, now with 12 Divisions across the UK. The post-war RNVR was permitted its own independent sea-going capability - something which had not been the case before the war - with Divisions being given charge of surplus Motor Launches and Motor Minesweepers , which were commissioned, given new names and used for training duties as well as supporting larger RN units. In 1951 King George VI issued

1944-827: The Peninsular War , and joined with the naval and military forces already at, or operating from, Bermuda to carry out the Chesapeake campaign , a punitive expedition which included the Raid on Alexandria , the Battle of Bladensburg , and the Burning of Washington was launched in August, 1814. In 1813, the area of command had become the North America Station again, with the West Indies falling under

2025-757: The Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR), the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNZNVR), and the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve . Previously there were also colonial RNVR units, such as the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve , Ceylon Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (CRNVR), Hong Kong Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (HKRNVR), Straits Settlements Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (SSRNVR) and

2106-504: The Second World War , the RN once again called upon the experience and professionalism of the RNR to help it to shoulder the initial burden until sufficient manpower could be trained for the RNVR and 'hostilities only' ratings. Again, RNR officers found themselves in command of destroyers, frigates , sloops , landing craft and submarines, or as specialist navigation officers in cruisers and aircraft carriers . In convoy work,

2187-657: The Secretary of State for Defence under specific circumstances: (a) if it appears to [the monarch] that national danger is imminent or that a great emergency has arisen; or (b) in the event of an actual or apprehended attack on the United Kingdom. However, in the case of lesser events, the Secretary of State can call-out those who have accepted a "special agreement" making them liable for up to 12 months of active service if required. North America and West Indies Station The North America and West Indies Station

2268-588: The South East Coast of America Station ) was added to the geographic limits of the North America and West Indies Station and the station was renamed the "America and West Indies Station" . In May, 1928, Dauntless was recommissioned and transferred to the Station from the Mediterranean to augment the vessels of the 8th Light Cruiser Station. South American waters had previously been patrolled by

2349-615: The "Future Reserves 2020" review conducted in 2012, the Volunteer Reserves (excluding University Service Units) will be fully integrated with the Regular Armed Forces and better prepared for overseas deployments and operations. Under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 , fully mobilising or "calling-out" the Volunteer Reserves for active service can only be made by a royal proclamation on the advice of

2430-665: The America and West Indies Squadron continued to be based at the South Yard of the former Royal Naval Dockyard, where the Royal Navy maintained a Berthing Area under the command of a Resident Naval Officer (RNO), but were detached from the Home Fleet , and their refits and repairs were thenceforth to be carried out in Britain. The RNO had his own office in one of the houses of Dockyard Terrace. Admiralty land not required for

2511-554: The Bering Straits. While any of the vessels of this squadron are in the Pacific their headquarters will be at Esquimalt. The squadron is to be composed of four of the most powerful light cruisers afloat, and will be in command of Vice-Admiral Sir Trevelyn Napier , who will have his headquarters at Bermuda. There will also be smaller craft attached to the squadron for police duties. and, in 1928, South America (what had once been

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2592-453: The Fleet", mainly in the roles of logistics and communications - specialist support roles the need for which would expand significantly in the event of a major deployment or extended conflict but which it was not seen as viable to maintain within the regular RN's peacetime strength. This left the mine-warfare, seaman and diving specialists in "limbo" until the Iraq War (second Gulf War), when

2673-549: The Navy and the media in times of crisis - this followed several unfortunate public relations errors during the War. Defence reviews over the last 50 years have been inconsistent. Successive reviews have seen reserve forces cut then enlarged, allocated new roles, then cuts withdrawn, then re-imposed. Options for Change in 1990 reduced the RNR by 1,200 and closed many training centres, including HMS Calpe (Gibraltar), HMS  Wessex (Southampton) and HMS Graham (Glasgow). By 1995

2754-517: The Pacific coast of Canada was also transferred to the dominion government in 1905. An official letter sent by the Commander-in-Chief during the Venezuelan crisis of 1902–1903 listed the following ships at the station on 1 January 1903: cruisers HMS Ariadne , HMS Charybdis , HMS Pallas , HMS Indefatigable , HMS Retribution , and HMS Tribune ; sloops HMS Fantome and HMS Alert ; destroyers HMS Quail and HMS Rocket ; and

2835-667: The Parachute Regiment) was posted to the Dockyard to guard SNOWI. While Bermuda had been the ideal base of operations for the North America and West Indies Station, at a thousand miles north of the Virgin Islands, it was far too distant to serve as an effective headquarters for only the West Indies. This meant that both SNOWI and the Station Frigates spent little time in or near Bermuda. On 1 April 1976,

2916-594: The RN, as well as in mobilised posts in Afghanistan, the Middle East, the Balkans and the UK. The centenary of the formation of the RNVR was commemorated by the RNR in London in 2003 with a parade on Horse Guards, at which Prince Charles took the salute. The Merchant Navy officers within today's RNR commemorated RNR 150 in 2009. In 2002 the RNR ceased to be issued its own identity cards , with reservists being issued

2997-558: The RNR as a reserve of professional seamen from the British Merchant Navy and fishing fleets, who could be called upon during times of war to serve in the regular Royal Navy. The RNR was originally a reserve of seamen only, but in 1862 was extended to include the recruitment and training of reserve officers. From its creation, RNR officers wore on their uniforms a unique and distinctive lace consisting of stripes of interwoven chain. A number of drill-ships were established at

3078-419: The RNR's total strength was 2600 - 800 officers and 1800 ratings. The Strategic Defence Review in 1998 continued this by disbanding the 10th Minesweeping Squadron, meaning that the RNR no longer had its own ships and sea-going capability. In return the RNR was to gain 350 members in total strength. The restructured RNR was designed to "provide an expanded pool of personnel to provide additional reinforcements for

3159-618: The RNVR and new intake to the RNR stopped. The RNVR became the route by which virtually all new-entry commissioned officers joined the naval service during the war – the exception being professional mariners who already held master's tickets , who would join the RNR. All new ratings would go direct to the regular Royal Navy. With the exception of the RNV(S)R and a proportion of recruits taken on as Direct Entrants (men with qualifications who would serve in specialist roles such as surgeons , engineers and those selected for intelligence duties), all

3240-661: The Royal Navy realised it had a pool of reservists with no real sea post. Echoing the Royal Naval Division in the First World War, the Above Water Force Protection branch was formed "from RN reservists with no draft appointment at the outbreak of war". Because of a lack of full-time personnel, mine-warfare returned (in part) to the RNR. Officers and ratings serve on active service in Full Time Reserve Service billets throughout

3321-506: The Royal Navy rebrand in 2003 that cost circa £100,000, the Royal Naval Reserve has been without its own logo; when one is required, the Royal Navy logo is used with the word Reserves added below, and there is no logo for the entire Maritime Reserve. The older Royal Naval Reserve logo is still used as the watermark for passing out certificates issued to Royal Naval Reserve ratings at HMS  Raleigh . All RNR personnel, regardless of rank, enrol as general service before being later assigned to

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3402-576: The South African Division of the RNVR. Volunteer Reserves (United Kingdom) The Volunteer Reserves also includes the armed forces University Service Units (incl. below). These training units are not liable for military service, rather, they provide engagement and military training for undergraduate students at UK universities. The Volunteer Reserves primarily consist of four elements, each being an integrated part of their parent service and liable for military operations. University Service Units are listed with their parent organization: As part of

3483-399: The West Indies Guard Ship, a role which was rotated among the fleet's escorts, which took turns operating extended patrols of the West Indies. Years after the disestablishment of the SNOWI post, the West Indies Guard Ship task was redesignated Atlantic Patrol Task (North) . Commanders of the station have included: [REDACTED] N = died in post After the end of the Second World War

3564-403: The analysis of the conflict it was decided that a reserve of personnel with experience of handling large merchant ships and trained in joint operations should be maintained, with serving Merchant Navy officers as the main focus. The Falklands War also led to the formation of the Public Affairs Branch (now Media Operations), providing a body of trained specialists to manage the relationship between

3645-477: The civilian Officer in Charge, Works). In December, 1967, the position of RNO Bermuda was abolished, with its duties passing to SNOWI's secretary and SNOWI taking over command of HMS Malabar . As SNOWI was frequently in the West Indies, he was unable to effectively command HMS Malabar and a Lieutenant-Commander was consequently appointed to the roles of Commanding Officer of HMS Malabar and RNO in 1971. The former Royal Naval wireless station land at Daniels Head

3726-409: The colonial government between 1957 and 1965. That part of the dockyard still required for naval operations remained under Admiralty control under a ninety-nine year lease as the South Yard Berthing Area, which was commissioned on 1 June 1965 as HMS  Malabar , under the command of the RNO, with the headquarters of SNOWI and the RNO in Moresby House (originally built in the 1899s as the residence of

3807-436: The continued naval operations was sold to the colonial government. There was also an RNO in Nassau . In 1952, the Commander-in-Chief, Vice Admiral Sir William Andrewes , became the initial Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic . On 29 October 1956, the post of Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station, was abolished, leaving the Senior Naval Officer, West Indies as his replacement. SNOWI reported directly to

3888-493: The convoy commodore or escort commander was often an RNR officer. As in the First World War, the RNR acquitted itself well, winning four VCs. An intermediate form of reserve, between the professional RNR and the civilian RNVR, had been created in 1936. This was the Royal Naval Volunteer (Supplementary) Reserve, open to civilians with existing and proven experience at sea as ratings or officers. In peacetime this carried no obligation or requirement for service or training, being merely

3969-506: The dozen Victoria Crosses awarded in WWI; and demonstrations of exceptional merit continued in peacetime. The Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom has been worn since 1865 by British-registered merchant vessels commanded by active or retired officers of the RNR, when authorised by Admiralty warrant. The flag dates from 1801; this usage dates from 1865. A number of RNR formed before World War II : There are also naval reserve forces operated by other Commonwealth of Nations navies, including

4050-556: The duration of their university studies. Training Officers attached to URNUs are appointed as temporary officers in the RNR, without commission or call-up liability, who wear the 'R' in their executive curl. As nominal members of the RNR (SCC RNR), officers of the Sea Cadet Corps and the RN CCF Combined Cadet Force retain the use of the former RNVR 'wavy navy' lace. However, unlike their traditional RNVR counterparts, they are civilians, do not come under General Trained Strength and are not liable to be called up or deploy. Officers receive

4131-462: The generally good conduct and performance of the temporary officers taken into the RNVR. A Fleet Order of that year stated that "the Fleet must be manned by Reserve officers with a leavening of Active Service officers, and not manned by RN Officers diluted with Reserve officers." This opened up new postings and promotion paths to temporary RNVR officers, including service on battleships , cruisers and aircraft carriers which had previously been largely

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4212-488: The government. At the turn of the 20th century, there were concerns at the Admiralty and in parliament that the RNR was insufficient to bolster the manning of the greatly-expanded fleet in the event of large-scale war. Despite the huge growth in the number of ships in the British merchant service since the RNR's foundation, many of the additional seamen were from the colonies or were not British subjects. The pool of potential RNR officers had shrunk since 1859 and experience in

4293-448: The interests of our West Indian and North American possessions must know that Bermuda was one of our most important posts—a station where the navy could be refitted with the greatest ease, where during the last war we had about 2,000,000l. value in stores, where our ships (such was the safety of the anchorage) could at all times take refuge. This island had been fortified at very great expense; for some years 5,000 convicts had been engaged on

4374-406: The jurisdiction of BRNC Dartmouth , are also an honorary part of the Royal Naval Reserve. Students hold the rank of officer cadet (OC), and can be promoted to honorary midshipman on completion of their second year. URNU OCs can now undergo the Accelerated Officer Programme (AOP) to become substantive RNR Midshipmen. They can then either continue on an RNR Unit or be seconded back to their URNU for

4455-417: The main seaports around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland , and seamen left their vessels to undertake gunnery training in a drill-ship for one month every year. After initial shore training, officers embarked in larger ships of the Royal Navy's fleet (usually battleships or battle cruisers) for one year, to familiarise themselves with gunnery and naval practice. Although under the operational authority of

4536-465: The name and legal identity of the original RNR but primarily retained the character and structure of the RNVR, being composed mostly of trained civilians not from sea-going professions. The service continues to adapt to conflicts; the AW Branch was formed following the Falklands War in 1982, when over 100 reservists volunteered for special temporary duties during, primarily serving in communications, intelligence, staff headquarters and medical roles. But in

4617-440: The newly created temporary RNVR officers had initially been recruited as ratings and undertaken ten weeks of basic training. Recruits identified as having the potential to be officers at the end of this training were called Commission & Warrant (CW) Candidates and then had to serve at least six months as Ordinary Seamen , including three months at sea. If still considered a CW candidate at the end of this period, they would become

4698-415: The outbreak of the First World War there were six RNVR divisions in major ports around the UK. On mobilisation in 1914, the RNR consisted of 30,000 officers and men. Officers of the permanent RNR on general service quickly took up seagoing appointments in the fleet, many in command, in destroyers , submarines , auxiliary cruisers and Q-ships . Others served in larger units of the battle fleet including

4779-431: The post of SNOWI was abolished, and the Station Frigates were withdrawn. The RNO and his staff remained, and a frigate was appointed West Indies Guardship, but seldom visited Bermuda. HMS Malabar ceased to be a base and was rated only as a supply station. By 1995, when Malabar was handed over to the Government of Bermuda , the Royal Naval presence in the North-Western Atlantic and Caribbean had been reduced to only

4860-414: The preserve of regular RN and experienced RNR officers. It also put temporary officers on a more equal footing with their regular counterparts when it came to being considered for executive and command positions. As intended, the thousands of RNVR officers employed during the Second World War on temporary commissions were quickly demobilised when the conflict ended. Of the more than 43,000 RNVR officers on

4941-435: The same documents as their regular counterparts. In 2007 the last distinctions in insignia between regular and reserve services were eliminated - officers no longer wore the 'R' in the curl of their rank stripes and ratings wore 'Royal Navy' shoulder flashes. The exception is for those holding honorary officer positions in the RNR, who continue to wear uniforms with the 'R' in the executive curl. Commodore RNR Melanie Robinson

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5022-453: The summer base for the squadron which shifted to the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, for the remainder of the year. In 1819, Bermuda, which was better positioned to counter threats from the United States, became the main base of the station year-round. Halifax continued to be used as the summer base for the station until 1907. Virtually impregnable to attack over the ocean, and impossible to attack over land, Bermuda's importance following

5103-442: The tender HMS Columbine . The North America and West Indies Station was restored in 1915, and incorporated the 8th Cruiser Squadron from 1924 to 1925. After the First World War, relying on the Panama Canal (completed in 1914), it absorbed the geographic area formerly belonging to the Pacific Station , as reported in the Daily Colonist newspaper on 16 July, 1919: Under the new dispensation of British naval power all over

5184-443: The title of C-in-C America and West Indies was re-styled Senior British Naval Officer, Western Atlantic . In 1945 the America and West Indies title was restored. In 1951, the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, was reduced to a base without drydock facilities, with the Admiralty Floating Dock No. 5 towed to Britain by HM Tugs Warden and Reward (the smaller AFD 48 remained). The position of Senior Naval Officer West Indies (SNOWI)

5265-418: The war was described by Royal Naval Purser Richard Cotter in 1828: The possession of Bermuda, as the key of all our Western Colonies, is of the first importance to England, for if a foe of any maritime strength had possession of it, our trade would be exposed to much annoyance, if not total destruction. Sir Henry Hardinge reported, in the House of Commons, on the 22 March 1839: All who were conversant with

5346-406: The works, and it was most important in every point of view that this island should be maintained in a state of perfect security. For a long time even after the determination of the sympathisers in the United States to attack us had been known, the force at Bermuda was never greater than a small battalion of 480 or 500 men, perfectly inadequate to do the duties of the station. Considering that this post

5427-417: The world, now that the preoccupation in the North Sea is at an end, it was thought that no provision had been made for the North Pacific Ocean, but latest official information shows the Admiralty has no intention of abandoning these waters. The North America and West Indies Squadron is to have a wide area to patrol, comprising the North Atlantic, the West Indies and the North Pacific-from the Galapagos Islands to

5508-441: Was a formation or command of the United Kingdom 's Royal Navy stationed in North American waters from 1745 to 1956, with main bases at the Imperial fortresses of Bermuda and Halifax, Nova Scotia . The North American Station absorbed the separate Newfoundland Station in 1825 (becoming the North America and Newfoundland Station ), and the Jamaica Station in 1830, to form the North America and West Indies Station . It

5589-456: Was abolished and its squadron replaced by the 4th Cruiser Squadron . This was based in England and Bermuda was redesignated from a base to a coaling station, although the dockyard remained in operation. The Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station, remained in Bermuda. The Royal Navy withdrew from Halifax in 1905, and the Halifax Naval Yard was handed over to the Royal Canadian Navy in 1910. The Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard on

5670-516: Was appointed the first female Commodore Maritime Reserves (COMMARES) on 4 February 2020. In October 2022 a new RNR unit, HMS  Pegasus , was commissioned as a specialist unit administering the RNR Air Branch, based at RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron ) and with a satellite office at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk ) . This was the first naval unit to be commissioned during the reign of King Charles III . RNR rank badges 1916–1951: [REDACTED] RNVR rank badges 1916–1958: [REDACTED] Since

5751-407: Was briefly abolished in 1907 before being restored in 1915. It was renamed the America and West Indies Station in 1926, absorbing what had been the South East Coast of America Station and the Pacific Station . It was commanded by Commanders-in-Chief whose titles changed with the changing of the formation's name, eventually by the Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station . The squadron

5832-442: Was confirmed - Divisions would be equipped with Ton-class minesweepers which would collectively become the 101st Minesweeper Squadron . This was part of the RN's permanent established strength and would consist of a rotating number of RNVR minesweepers, each fulfilling a period of active duty for its parent Division and giving the men of that Division their required regular time on active service at sea. The 101st Minesweeper Squadron

5913-523: Was cut to anti-submarine and fighter squadrons only. By 1957, it was considered by the UK government that the training required to operate modern equipment was beyond that expected of reservists and the Air Branch squadrons were disbanded. (The US government took a different view, and the US Navy and Marine reserve squadrons today still operate front-line types alongside the regular units.) The Air Branch

5994-561: Was declared as part of Britain's standing naval commitment to NATO . While only a small portion of the total RNVR was on active service with the 101st Squadron at any one time, it was envisaged that in time of war the RNVR as a whole would become Britain's primary coastal minesweeping force, allowing the use of regular RN ships and men for other duties. The unit became the 10th Minesweeping Squadron in 1962. The Squadron regularly conducted two large-scale training exercises each year, one to Gibraltar and one to North Africa . The Squadron also made

6075-566: Was established as a Sub-Area Commander under the Commander-in-Chief of the America and West Indies station. The occupant of this position was a commodore, and was provided with a shore office on Ireland Island (which was beside the Victualling Yard until 1962), but was required to spend much of his time at sea in the West Indies. A flagship (between 1951 and April, 1956, this was successively HMS  Sheffield , HMS  Superb , HMS Sheffield , HMS  Kenya ) and other vessels of

6156-679: Was formed in 1745 to counter French forces in North America, with the headquarters at the Halifax Naval Yard in Nova Scotia (now CFB Halifax ). Royal Navy ships and vessels in the area had been designated as the North American Station in 1767, under the command of Commodore Samuel Hood . The headquarters was located in Halifax from 1758 to 1794, and thereafter in Halifax and Bermuda . Land and buildings for

6237-783: Was leased to the Royal Canadian Navy on 1 January 1963, for the purpose of a new radio station. It became CFS Daniel's Head when the Royal Canadian Navy became part of the Canadian Forces in 1969. After the assassination of the Governor of Bermuda , Sir Richard Sharples , in February 1973, HMS  Sirius provided enhanced security for Commodore Cameron Rusby , the then-SNOWI. A detachment of Royal Marines (subsequently replaced by soldiers from

6318-420: Was one of great consequence, that immense sums had been expended upon it, and that the efficiency of the navy in those seas was chiefly to be secured by means of it, it was indispensable, that it should be in safe keeping. In 1830 the station absorbed the Jamaica Station and was redesignated as the North America and West Indies Station , and remained so until 1907, when the North America and West Indies Station

6399-401: Was reformed at RNAS Yeovilton in 1980, though it is only open to service leavers. In 1958 it was decided to amalgamate the RNR and RNVR into a single reserve service. Legally the RNR was the branch that continued, so that no new legislation had to be drafted to allow the service to function and all RNVR personnel received formal papers transferring them to the RNR. The new unified reserve took

6480-537: Was replaced by Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Inglis Cochrane in 1813), from where the blockade of much of the Atlantic Seaboard of the United States and raids such as the Battle of Craney Island were orchestrated. 2,500 soldiers under Major-General Robert Ross aboard HMS  Royal Oak , three frigates, three sloops and ten other vessels, was sent to Bermuda in 1814, following British victory in

6561-647: Was the only British territory left between Nova Scotia and the West Indies (by agreement with the Spanish government, a Royal Navy base was maintained in Florida until this was ceded to the United States), and was selected as the new headquarters for the region. The establishment of a base there was delayed for a dozen years, however, due to the need to survey the encircling barrier reef to locate channels suitable for large warships. Once this had been completed,

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