Word has just been received of the death of David Stock.  David joined the Naval Reserve as an Officer Cadet in the University Naval Training Divisions (UNTD) in 1955 at the University of Guelph (U-71420).  He was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant in 1958 and Lieutenant in 1960.  

He served at HMCS PREVOST from 1962 to 1964 when the unit was closed and subsequently at HMCS STAR.  He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1967 and served as Executive Officer of HMCS STAR from 1971 to 1972.  He was promoted to Commander in 1975.

In 1977, he was assigned the task of establishing a detachment of HMCS STAR in London specifically to train Diesel Mechanics.  This unit was subsequently recommissioned as HMCS PREVOST in 1990.  He transferred to the SRL in 1984.

In civilian life he was a lawyer, graduating from Osgood Hall in 1962, called to the bar in 1964 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1976.  He maintained a practice in Woodstock and Oxford County.

He and his wife Gloria had three children and two grandchildren.

He was involved in many aspects of his community, being a Campaign Chairman for the Woodstock Cancer Society, Chairman of Woodstock St. John Ambulance, and a member of the Naval Officers’ Association of Canada, Royal Canadian Legion, Oxford County Naval Veterans, Royal Canadian Military Institute, Tavistock Lodge No. 609 AF & AM and was active both politically and in his church.

He received the Special Service Medal with NATO bar, Canadian Forces Decoration and Clasp, Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal 1977, Commander Maritime Command Commendation 1978 and the Canada 125 Medal 1992.  He was made a Commander of the Order of St. John in 2000.

He was the author of A Brief History About HMCS PREVOST.

David was a true gentleman, humble and self-effacing, and a good friend of HMCS STAR and to many in the naval community. He served as Executive Officer but never as CO. In my personal opinion, he was the best Commanding Officer that STAR never had.

The Royal Canadian Naval Association Niagara Region cordially invites you help us commemorate

The 74th Battle of the Atlantic Memorial

Sunday May 5^th 2019                          TIME: 1300 Hours

PLACE: Navy Hall 305 Ricardo St,

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

Bob Coles Chairman, Battle of Atlantic Ceremonies

Email:  rcnaboac@cogeco.ca or call 905-934-6372

Chuck Johnston,  President,  RCNA Niagara

Email:  sumitup@cogeco or ca;; Call 905-646-5099

Your response is requested by no later than April 15^th ,2018

Although the (Royal) Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve was formed on 31 January 1923, units are dated from the appointment of their first Commanding Officer.  Lt Ralph Howard Yeates, a Hamilton lawyer, was appointed CO of the Hamilton Half Company of what was to become the RCNVR on 15 March, 1923, making STAR the second oldest naval reserve division in the country (Montreal Company’s CO, Lt Frank Meade, was appointed the day previously). Yeates had served in the First World War, initially in the army and then later in the Royal Naval Air Service and became a Lieutenant in the RNCVR after the war.  He served as Commanding Officer for six and a half years.  Initially operating out of the Navy League offices at Main and Hughson Streets, the unit moved into the old W.W. Grant Sail Loft at 469 Bay Street North, less than a kilometre from our present home, later that year.