All posts by Dinger

About Dinger

A sea cadet at RCSCC LION from 1963 to 1968, I joined the Naval Reserve at HMCS STAR in 1968 as a Bos'n. I was an Officer Cadet in the ROUTP, commissioned in 1971, and awarded my watchkeeping ticket in 1973. I served at sea, at one time or another, in all five Gate Vessels and HMCS FORT STEELE & CHAUDIERE as well as the Coast Guard icebreaker Louis St. Laurent and served as OIC of the patrol vessels RALLY and RAPID. At STAR from 1968 to 2007, I served as XO twice and then as CO from 2002 to 2005. I rounded out my career by serving as SSO Training at NAVRESHQ in Quebec City in 2008, retiring in 2009 as CO of HMCS HUNTER in Windsor. I was Executive Director for the Friends of HMCS HAIDA till 2011 and have been an active volunteer onboard HAIDA since she arrived in Hamilton in 2003.

Crossed the Bar

Sad to hear that Cdr Robert Hugh Bowman, STAR’s 23rd Commanding Officer (September 1979 to November 1982), crossed the bar on 25 January 2026, in his 90th year. Bob was a UNTD (U-8070) at the Ontario Agricultural College (University of Guelph) in 1955. In civilian life, he was a teacher and Principal in Dundas. He will be missed.

2026 Schedule

Each month, except April, June, July, August & October, we host a luncheon meeting at 11:30 on the last Wednesday of the month (LWOTM) at the Battlefield Branch, No. 622, at 12 King Street East, in Stoney Creek.  There is a social time, a light lunch followed by a speaker or presentation.  The cost is $22, by e-transfer to hna@hamiltonnaval.ca.

We also host the Battle of Atlantic Mess Dinner in May and the Trafalgar / Niobe Mess Dinner in October as well as a holiday lunch in November, all at LIUNA Station, 360 James Street North, in Hamilton.  There is also a summer luncheon in June which is held at various locations throughout the Niagara Peninsula.

 For more information email “hna@hamiltonnaval.ca” or contact LCdr (Ret’d) Bob DeWolfe at 905-745-2548 or “r.dewolfe2023@outlook.com”.

  • January LWOTM                    Wednesday, 28 January – LCdr Kevin Ng, CO HMCS STAR
  • February LWOTM                  Wednesday, 25 February – RAdm Jennifer Bennett, CMM, CD (Ret’d)
  • March LWOTM                      Wednesday, 25 March
  • Battle of the Atlantic              Friday, 1 May @ LIUNA Station
  • May LWOTM                         Wednesday, 27 May
  • June Get-together                   TBD
  • Hamilton & Scourge               Saturday, 8 August @ Confederation Park
  • Merchant Navy Day               Thursday, 3 September – TBD
  • September LWOTM               Wednesday, 30 September
  • Trafalgar / Niobe Day             Friday, 23 October @ LIUNA Station
  • HNA Christmas Lunch           Wednesday, 25 November @ LIUNA Station