Yorke Island 2016

​ Yorke Island August 2016
The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA occupied Yorke Island during the Second World War. At that time the Regiment had been converted to a coastal artillery unit (15th (Vancouver) Coast Artillery Brigade, RCA) and it spent the war years at Yorke Island guarding the narrow Johnstone Strait with two 6” guns. An interesting guide is provided on our Vancouver Artillery Association website, http://www.vancouvergunners.ca/uploads/2/5/3/2/25322670/yorke_island_then_and_now.pdf
The Commanding Officer intends to visit Yorke Island twice this year. Ross Keller, Honorary Battery Commander 85 Battery,  is organizing an event on 19-20 August which will also feature a wreath laying in honour of Gunner Wallace Brunt who drowned in a tragic accident on 20 August 1941. The majority of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA will be on exercise during that weekend so only the Commanding Officer, Regimental Sergeant Major and Captain Hui will be able to attend.
The remainder of the unit is available the following weekend and the CO intends to return with a contingent of 12 soldiers to explore the remnants of the coastal artillery installation.
 The Vancouver Artillery Association has been invited to attend one or both of these weekends. My preference is for the 19-20 August weekend.

Concept
My concept is that we could rent a 6 passenger van (Dodge Caravan) on Friday afternoon and drive over Friday evening. Return would leave Sunday afternoon and return the van on Monday morning. The ride over to Yorke Island would be covered by the Regiment.
Van Rental                                            693.00  
Mileage Included
Fuel                                                        300.00
Ferry Vehicle charge to Nanaimo      56.45
Ferry Passenger charge x 6                103.20
Ferry Vehicle return charge                  56.45
Ferry Passenger charge x 6                 103.20
Sub-Total                                            $ 1,312.30
Divided by 6                                           218.72
The Sayward Valley Resort – Fisherboy Park is owned by a former member of 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA and is naturally the hotel of choice. Rates are around $100.00 per room with $5.00 charged for each additional person or $23.00 per tent. Throw in about $50.00 per day for your own meals for 2 ½ days. Total per person would be  about $370.00 based on this concept.

An option would be a self-directed effort. I have a camper van and would bring my wife along. It can only accommodate the two of us but we have room for cheaper groceries rather than restaurant meals. We may lose out on group discounts by taking one vehicle but this will be offset by cheaper meals and no van rental charge. If others have a similar vehicle, or simply wish to take their car and tent, we can probably arrange a common campsite at the Sayward Valley Resort. Sometimes less organization is better than more organization!
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 Please advise me if you would like to attend and we can adjust the plan as necessary. 
president.vcrgunners@gmail.com