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Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy

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Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and Chief of the Naval Staff
Canada-Navy-OF-8-collected.svg
Vice Admiral insignia
Canada OF-9 OF-8 flag.svg
Vice Admiral flag
US Navy 091111-N-2610F-137 Rear Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin and Canadian Navy Cmdr. Angus Topshee lay wreaths during Algonquin's Remembrance Day service.jpg
Incumbent
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee
since 30 May 2022
Royal Canadian Navy
TypeCommissioned officer
StatusCurrently constituted
AbbreviationComd RCN
Reports toChief of the Defence Staff
SeatNaval Staff HQ, NDHQ, Ottawa
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
PrecursorChief of the Maritime Staff
First holderAdmiral Sir Charles Kingsmill
DeputyDeputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy/Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff
WebsiteOfficial website

The Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (French: Commandant de la Marine royale canadienne) is the institutional head of the Royal Canadian Navy. This appointment also includes the title Chief of the Naval Staff and is based at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. This individual reports to the Chief of the Defence Staff, who then responds to the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Discover more about Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy related topics

French language

French language

French is a Romance language of the Indo-European family. It descended from the Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire, as did all Romance languages. French evolved from Gallo-Romance, the Latin spoken in Gaul, and more specifically in Northern Gaul. Its closest relatives are the other langues d'oïl—languages historically spoken in northern France and in southern Belgium, which French (Francien) largely supplanted. French was also influenced by native Celtic languages of Northern Roman Gaul like Gallia Belgica and by the (Germanic) Frankish language of the post-Roman Frankish invaders. Today, owing to France's past overseas expansion, there are numerous French-based creole languages, most notably Haitian Creole. A French-speaking person or nation may be referred to as Francophone in both English and French.

Royal Canadian Navy

Royal Canadian Navy

The Royal Canadian Navy is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2021, the RCN operates 12 frigates, four attack submarines, 12 coastal defence vessels, eight patrol class training vessels, two offshore patrol vessels, and several auxiliary vessels. The RCN consists of 8,570 Regular Force and 4,111 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by 3,800 civilians. Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee is the current commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and chief of the Naval Staff.

National Defence Headquarters (Canada)

National Defence Headquarters (Canada)

National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) was created through the integration of Canadian Armed Forces Headquarters with the civilian Department of National Defence (DND) staff in October of 1972. NDHQ is not a specific location, but is instead housed throughout a collection of offices in buildings across the National Capital Region, although it is most commonly identified with the Major-General George R Pearkes Building on Colonel By Drive in Ottawa.

Ottawa

Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (CMA) and the National Capital Region (NCR). As of 2021, Ottawa had a city population of 1,017,449 and a metropolitan population of 1,488,307, making it the fourth-largest city and fourth-largest metropolitan area in Canada.

Ontario

Ontario

Ontario is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. Located in Central Canada, it is Canada's most populous province, with 38.3 percent of the country's population, and is the second-largest province by total area. Ontario is Canada's fourth-largest jurisdiction in total area when the territories of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are included. It is home to the nation's capital city, Ottawa, and the nation's most populous city, Toronto, which is Ontario's provincial capital.

Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)

Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)

The chief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the Canadian Armed Forces. As the senior military position, the chief of the Defence Staff advises the Cabinet, particularly the minister of national defence and the prime minister. The role is a Crown-in-Council appointment made by the viceroy on the advice of the prime minister.

Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces

Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces

The commander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces exercises supreme command and control over Canada's military, the Canadian Armed Forces. Constitutionally, command-in-chief is vested in the Canadian monarch, presently King Charles III. Since the Letters Patent, 1947, were signed by King George VI, the governor general of Canada—presently Mary Simon—executes most of the duties of the sovereign, including in his role as commander-in-chief. Consequently, the governor general also uses the title Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces. By protocol, the title used within international contexts is Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

History of the position

The appointment was entitled Director of the Naval Service from 1910 to 1928 and then Chief of the Naval Staff from 1928 to 1964. In August 1964 the position of Chief of the Naval Staff was abolished. Responsibility for naval matters was split between the newly established Defence Staff in Ottawa and operational headquarters in Halifax (for Flag Officer Atlantic Coast) and Esquimalt (for Flag Officer Pacific Coast).[1] The appointment was entitled Commander of Maritime Command from 1966 to 1997 and Chief of the Maritime Staff from 1997 to 2011. In 2011 Maritime Command was renamed the Royal Canadian Navy at which time the appointment was renamed to its present incarnation.[2][3]

Appointees

The following table lists all those who have held the post of Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy or its preceding positions. Ranks and honours are as at the completion of their tenure:[4]

No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office
Director of the Naval Service
1
Sir C.E. Kingsmill
Kingsmill, CharlesAdmiral
Sir C.E. Kingsmill
(1855–1935)
5 May 191031 December 192010 years, 7 months
2
W. Hose
Hose, W.Commodore
W. Hose
(1875–1965)
1 January 19216 March 19287 years, 2 months
Chief of the Naval Staff
1
W. Hose
Hose, W.Rear Admiral
W. Hose
(1875–1965)
7 March 192831 December 19335 years, 9 months
-
P.W. Nelles
Hose, W.Captain
P.W. Nelles
(1892–1951)
Acting
1 January 19341 July 19346 months
2
P.W. Nelles
Hose, W.Vice Admiral
P.W. Nelles
(1892–1951)
1 July 193415 January 19449 years, 6 months
3
G.C. Jones
Jones, GeorgeVice Admiral
G.C. Jones
(1895–1946)
15 January 19448 February 1946 †2 years
4
H.E. Reid
Reid, H.Vice Admiral
H.E. Reid
(1897–1962)
28 February 19461 September 19471 year, 6 months
5
H.T.W. Grant
Grant, H.Vice Admiral
H.T.W. Grant
(1899–1965)
1 September 19471 December 19514 years, 3 months
6
E.R. Mainguy
Mainguy, E.Vice Admiral
E.R. Mainguy
(1901–1979)
1 December 195116 January 19564 years, 1 month
7
H.G. DeWolf
DeWolf, H.Vice Admiral
H.G. DeWolf
(1903–2000)
16 January 19561 August 19604 years, 6 months
8
H.S. Rayner
DeWolf, H.Vice Admiral
H.S. Rayner
(1911–1976)
1 August 19601 August 19644 years
Principal Naval Adviser
1
K.L. Dyer
Dyer, K.L.Vice Admiral
K.L. Dyer
(1915–2000)
[a]
1 August 196416 July 19661 year, 11 months
2
R.L. Hennessy
Hennessy, R.L.Vice Admiral
R.L. Hennessy
(1918–2014)
16 July 196615 September 19682 years, 1 month
Commander of Maritime Command
1
W.M. Landymore
Landymore, W.M.Rear Admiral
W.M. Landymore
(1916–2008)
[b]
1 January 196619 July 19666 months
2
J.C. O'Brien
O'Brien, J.C.Vice Admiral
J.C. O'Brien
(1918–1996)
[c]
19 July 19666 July 19703 years, 11 months
3
H.A. Porter
Porter, H.A.Vice Admiral
H.A. Porter
(1922–2016)
6 July 197018 October 19711 year, 3 months
4
R.W. Timbrell
Timbrell, R.W.Rear Admiral
R.W. Timbrell
(1920–2006)
18 October 197121 August 19731 year, 10 months
5
D.S. Boyle
Boyle, DouglasVice Admiral
D.S. Boyle
(1923–2001)
21 August 197314 June 19773 years, 9 months
6
A.L. Collier
Collier, AndrewVice Admiral
A.L. Collier
(1924–1987)
15 June 197730 June 19792 years
7
J. Allan
Allan, JohnVice Admiral
J. Allan
(1928–2014)
1 July 19795 August 19801 year, 1 month
8
J.A. Fulton
Fulton, AndrewVice Admiral
J.A. Fulton
(born 1927)
6 August 198029 July 19832 years, 11 months
9
J.C. Wood
Wood, JamesVice Admiral
J.C. Wood
(born 1934)
29 July 19833 July 19873 years, 11 months
10
C.M.W. Thomas
Thomas, CharlesVice Admiral
C.M.W. Thomas
(born 1936)
3 July 19871 August 19892 years
11
R.E. George
George, RobertVice Admiral
R.E. George
(born 1940)
1 August 198912 July 19911 year, 11 months
12
J.R. Anderson
Anderson, JohnVice Admiral
J.R. Anderson
(born 1941)
12 July 199114 July 19921 year
13
P.W. Cairns
Cairns, PeterVice Admiral
P.W. Cairns
(born 1938)
14 July 199228 July 19942 years
14
L.E. Murray
Murray, LarryVice Admiral
L.E. Murray
(born 1947)
28 July 199427 June 199510 months
15
L.G. Mason
Mason, LynnVice Admiral
L.G. Mason
(born 1942)
27 June 19959 January 19971 year, 6 months
Chief of the Maritime Staff
1
G.L. Garnett
Garnett, G.Vice Admiral
G.L. Garnett
(born 1944)
9 January 199724 September 19978 months
2
G.R. Maddison
Maddison, G.Vice Admiral
G.R. Maddison
(born 1949)
24 September 199721 June 20013 years, 8 months
3
R.D. Buck
Buck, R.Vice Admiral
R.D. Buck
21 June 200125 August 20043 years, 2 months
4
M.B. MacLean
MacLean, M.Vice Admiral
M.B. MacLean
25 August 200417 January 20061 year, 4 months
5
D.W. Robertson
Robertson, D.Vice Admiral
D.W. Robertson
17 January 200622 June 20093 years, 5 months
6
P.D. McFadden
McFadden, P.Vice Admiral
P.D. McFadden
(born 1957)
22 June 200922 July 20112 years, 1 month
Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
1
P.A. Maddison
Maddison, P.Vice Admiral
P.A. Maddison
22 July 201120 June 20131 year, 10 months
2
M.A.G. Norman
Norman, M.Vice Admiral
M.A.G. Norman
(born 1964)
20 June 201323 June 20163 years
3
M.F.R. Lloyd
Lloyd, M.Vice Admiral
M.F.R. Lloyd
(born 1963)
23 June 201612 June 20192 years, 11 months
4
A.G. McDonald
McDonald A.G.Vice Admiral
A.G. McDonald
(born 1967)
12 June 201912 January 20211 year, 7 months
5
C.A. Baines
Baines, C.A.Vice Admiral
C.A. Baines
12 January 202130 May 20221 year, 4 months
6
A. Topshee
Angus TopsheeVice Admiral
A. Topshee
30 May 2022Incumbent7 months

Discover more about Appointees related topics

Charles Kingsmill

Charles Kingsmill

Admiral Sir Charles Edmund Kingsmill, was a Canadian-born naval officer and the first director of the Department of the Naval Service of Canada. After retiring from a career in the Royal Navy, he played a prominent role in the establishment of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in 1910. Along with Walter Hose, he is considered the father of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Percy W. Nelles

Percy W. Nelles

Admiral Percy Walker Nelles, was a flag officer in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Chief of the Naval Staff from 1 January 1934 to 15 January 1944. He oversaw the massive wartime expansion of the RCN and the transformation of Canada into a major player in the Battle of the Atlantic. During his tenure U-boats raided the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canadian Northwest Atlantic command was created, and the RCN provided up to 40% of all escort forces in the North Atlantic. His handling of the RCN's war effort had its opponents however, and he was removed from his post as Chief of the Naval Staff in January 1944. He was sent to London as Overseas Naval Attaché, coordinating RCN operations for Operation Overlord. He retired in January 1945 as a full admiral.

George Jones (Canadian admiral)

George Jones (Canadian admiral)

Vice-Admiral George Clarence Jones, was a Royal Canadian Navy vice admiral who served as Chief of the Naval Staff from 15 January 1944 to 28 February 1946.

Howard Reid (admiral)

Howard Reid (admiral)

Vice-Admiral Howard Emerson Reid, CB was a Royal Canadian Navy officer who served as Chief of the Naval Staff from 28 February 1946 to 1 September 1947.

Harold Taylor Wood Grant

Harold Taylor Wood Grant

Vice-Admiral Harold Taylor Wood Grant, was a Canadian naval officer and a post-war Chief of the Naval Staff. The son of Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, MacCallum Grant, Harold Grant entered the Royal Canadian Navy as a cadet in 1914. He spent most of the First World War in training until 1917, when he became a midshipman aboard a British Royal Navy ship. Considered an above average officer, he was earmarked for early promotion during the interwar period and by 1938, commanded the destroyer HMCS Skeena.

Harry DeWolf

Harry DeWolf

Vice Admiral Henry George DeWolf was a Canadian naval officer who was famous as the first commander of HMCS Haida during the Second World War.

Herbert Rayner

Herbert Rayner

Vice Admiral Herbert Sharples Rayner DSC & Bar, CD was a Royal Canadian Navy officer who served as Chief of the Naval Staff from 01 August 1960 to 16 July 1964.

Kenneth Dyer

Kenneth Dyer

Vice Admiral Kenneth Lloyd Dyer DSC, CD was a senior officer in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Ralph Hennessy

Ralph Hennessy

Vice Admiral Ralph Lucien Hennessy DSC, CD was a senior officer in the Royal Canadian Navy.

Henry Porter (Canadian admiral)

Henry Porter (Canadian admiral)

Vice Admiral Henry Allan Porter CMM, CD was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Commander Maritime Command from 6 July 1970 to 18 October 1971.

Douglas Boyle

Douglas Boyle

Vice Admiral Douglas Seaman Boyle CMM, CD was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Commander of Maritime Command from 21 August 1973 to 14 June 1977.

Andrew Collier

Andrew Collier

Vice Admiral Andrew Laurence Collier was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Commander Maritime Command from 14 June 1977 to 30 June 1979.

Source: "Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy", Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, (2023, January 9th), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commander_of_the_Royal_Canadian_Navy.

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See also
Notes
  1. ^ The Royal Canadian Navy had no official head between August 1964, when the position of Chief of the Naval Staff was abolished, and January 1966, when the position of Commander of Maritime Command was established. In February 1968 the Royal Canadian Navy ceased to exist after it was unified with the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force to form the Canadian Forces.
  2. ^ In January 1966 he was appointed as the first Commander Maritime Command, in which position he served until he was encouraged to take an early retirement in July 1966, after a disagreement with the Minister of National Defence over the continuation of the traditional naval identity.
  3. ^ In the rank of Rear Admiral between 1966–1968 and Vice-Admiral between 1968–1970.
References
  1. ^ Whitby, et al., eds. "The Admirals", p. 357. Dundurn Press, 2006.
  2. ^ Canadian Navy, Air Force 'Royal' Again With Official Name Change Huffington Post, 15 August 2011
  3. ^ DSA Vice-Admiral Maddison Archived June 28, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "List of Commanders of the Royal Canadian Navy". Canadian Government. Retrieved 14 March 2020.

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