A great turnout at our LWOTM luncheon at the Stoney Creek Legion on Wednesday, 30 September. Thirty-six guests listened to a fascinating presentation from Ontario Shipyards delivered by Ted Kirkpatrick and Dan Vyselaar. There was intense interest in the new Naval Training Vessel to be built right here in Hamilton.

Following the lunch, Cdr Kevin Ng, the 38th and current Commanding Officer of HMCS STAR, and LCdr Marie-Sonya Sowa (36th); Rear Admiral Jennifer Bennett, former Commander Naval Reserves; LCdr Glenna Swing (31st); Cdr Bob Williamson (25th); Cdr Doug Mark (26th); LCdr Doug Martin (29th); and LCdr Neil Bell (30th). LCdr Shekhar Gothi (33rd) unfortunately left before the picture was taken.

The orange shirts are because it was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We regret the loss of CPO2 Len Pawlek, who died on 29 September as a result of injuries sustained earlier in fall. Cremation will take place and a small service will take place on Len’s 91^st birthday on November 10th.

Len and his brother Martin joined the Naval Reserve in Winnipeg and were competitive sailors in the Sailing Association. Both moved to Hamilton and transferred to HMCS Star where he served in the band and as a cook and Chief Steward for the Wardroom. During summers, Len taught cook’s courses at CFB Borden and also cooked on the Gate Vessels. Upon leaving HMCS Star after aging out he transferred to the CIC and worked with the cadets in St. Catharines (RCSCC Renown) and later became the Commanding Officer.

Len has been a member of the Hamilton Naval Association for a number of years and was looking forward to our Trafalgar/Niobe Dine In later this month.

Members and friends of the Hamilton Naval Association are invited to the 9th Annual HMS PICKLE dinner, commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar.

Saturday, November 7^th, 2026

Port Credit Yacht Club, Mississauga

The gun room of HMS Psyche Canadian Maritime Heritage Society invite naval enthusiasts to our commemorative dinner for the Battle of Trafalgar (October 21^st, 1805) and the immortal memory of Lord Nelson.

HMS Pickle was the first vessel to bring Vice-Admiral Collingwood’s dispatches to England’s Admiralty Board, of the great victory and the death of Nelson.  HMS Pickle landed in Portsmouth with the news on November 4^th, 1805.

The formal dinner consists of:
* 6:30 pm Cocktails of Crispy Pickles and bites as hors d’oeuvre
* 7:15 pm Dinner with toasts
     * Cream of Watercress

     * Fresh ship’s biscuits (no bargemen included) and no maggoty butter
     * Chicken Montmorency, pan roasted chicken supreme stuffed with dried cherries, apricots, pine nuts and    

        fresh herbs, spun Yukon Gold potato, fresh vegetables and a Grand Marnier jus or Eggplant parmigiana
     * Spotted Dick Steamed Pudding, served family style with Crème Anglaise
     * Scot Coffee and Tea service

Dress code: Active and retired armed forces personnel (dress uniform or regimental mess dress), military re-enactors in uniform, wearing of appropriate military decorations, Georgian civilian or modern civilian business attire.

Cost: $90 per person, including tax and tip.  Payment is to be e-transferred to Gurth.Pretty.4pc@gmail.com by Thursday, October 30th.  In a separate e-mail to Gurth, state your choice of main course and of any food allergies.

Cash bar, payable by credit or debit card at the dinner.

A silent auction will occur, to pay for maintenance and improvement of the Psyche longboat.  Payable by e-transfer.

Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON L5E 3G6

“Si vis pacem, para bellum”

Royal Navy motto (If you wish for peace, prepare for war)