VANCOUVER GUNNERS
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    • The 1950s >
      • 1950 >
        • 1950 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1950 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1950 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1951 >
        • 1951 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1951 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1951 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1952 >
        • 1952 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1952 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1952 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1953 >
        • 1953 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1953 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1953 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1954 >
        • 1954 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1954 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1954 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1955 >
        • 1955 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1955 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1956 >
        • 1956 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1956 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1957 >
        • 1957 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1957 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1958 >
        • 1958 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1958 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1959 >
        • 1959 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1959 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
    • The 1940s >
      • 1940 >
        • 1940 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1940 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA NPAM
        • 1940 - 1st AA Regt, RCA, CASF
      • 1941 >
        • 1941 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1941 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA NPAM
        • 1941 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1942 >
        • 1942 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1942 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA RF
        • 1942 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1943 >
        • 1943 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1943 - 39th (Reserve) Fd Regt, RCA RF
        • 1943 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1944 >
        • 1944 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1944 - 11th AA Regt, RCA RF
        • 1944 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1945 >
        • 1945 - Vancouver Defences
        • 1945 - 11th AA Regt, RCA RF
      • 1946 >
        • 1946 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1946 - 11th (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1947 >
        • 1947 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1947 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1948 >
        • 1948 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1948 - Vancouver Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1948 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1949 >
        • 1949 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1949 - Vancouver Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1949 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
    • The 1930s >
      • 1930
      • 1931
      • 1932
      • 1933
      • 1934
      • 1935
      • 1936
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      • 1938
      • 1939 >
        • 1939 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1939 - 1st AA Regt, RCA, CASF
    • The 1920s >
      • 1920
      • 1921
      • 1922
      • 1923
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    • The 1910s >
      • 1915 - 31st Bty, 8th Bde, CFA
      • 1916 >
        • 1916 15th Brigade, CFA
        • 1916 - 31st Bty, 8th Bde, CFA
        • 1916 - 68 Depot
      • 1917 >
        • 1917 - 31st Bty, CFA, CEF
        • 1917 - 5th CSB, CGA ,CEF
        • 1917 - 68 Depot >
          • 1917 - Hastings Park
      • 1918 >
        • 68th Depot Battery CFA
        • 85th Battery CFA
        • Obituaries 1918
      • 1919 >
        • 68th Bty, 16th Bde CFA
        • 5th Cdn Siege Bty, CGA
    • The 1890s >
      • 1893 - BC Garrison Artillery
      • 1894 - BC Garrison Artillery
      • 1898- BC Garrison Artillery
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  • Yorke Island
  • What year was that?
  • Index
  • Artillery Music
Welcome to Yorke Island
Yorke Island lies approximately 150 miles northwest of Vancouver in Johnstone Strait. In September 1937, the Department of National Defence reserved the right to use the island for military purposes. By the end of the year, construction of the fort was underway. The Department of National Defence, however, paid little attention to the fort in the year leading up to the Second World War, their efforts being concentrated on the East Coast where there was a greater threat of German attack.
The Yorke Island Fort was originally built as a World War II coastal gun battery with two 4.7-Inch Quick Firing Mark IV "B" Guns on Mark III Garrison Carriages. These were replaced later in the war with two 6-Inch Breech Loading Mark VII Guns on Mark II(L) Garrison Mountings. A six pounder Hotchkiss was used as an examination gun, firing bring to rounds for boats that failed to properly identify themselves. 
Yorke Island was surrounded by barbed wire and three 60” coast defence searchlights were mounted in concrete emplacements. Anti-aircraft defence consisted of 40 mm Bofors and machine guns. 
The Yorke Island Fort was garrisoned by the 85th Heavy Battery, 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA. A Non-Permanent Army Militia unit, it was mobilized on 25 August 1939, 15 days before Canada declared war on Germany, to man the still incomplete installation.  The Fort grew to include support buildings which included messing and recreation facilities for some 300 officers and men. Personnel were regularly rotated with those in Stanley Park and Point Grey. 
The Vancouver Artillery Association (VAA) and our affiliated Vancouver Island detachment, the 85-VICS, have a formal, volunteer agreement with BC Parks. We are men and women, regular and reserve, serving and retired, that have served in The Royal Regiment of Canada Artillery and their supporters. We have been part of Yorke lsland's military history since the original occupation of the island in 1939. Members of the VAA were already active with the preservation and protection ofthe historical site prior to the creation ofthe Hanlamd'i Mekola/Yorke lsland Conservancy on May 22, 2007.
Some of the work that the VAA members and 85-VICS have accomplished on behalf of BC Parks include:
Collection of stories from the surviving soldiers who served at Yorke lsland;
Documentation/maintenance of structures, trails, historical artefacts, documents  regarding Yorke Island;
70th anniversary celebration held on Yorke lsland in 2009 ;
lnstallation of mouldering toilet facilities in 2012;
75th anniversary celebration held on Yorke Islands in 2014;
Organization & participation in several open house  planning sessions;
Successful CAN/BC 150 Grant resulting in substantial witten assessments, documentation and a BC Parks Heritage Handbook.

The Vancouver Artillery Association continues to support BC Parks in the ongong work on Yorke. Would you like to be part of the team? Contact Leon Jensen  president.vcrgunners@gmail.com
Yorke Island Main Page

What's New

Copyright © 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Webmaster/editor - Leon Jensen, OMM, CD, Commanding Officer 1998-2001, Regimental Sergeant Major 1986-1988
Additional photos and stories as well as comments regarding errors and omissions would be greatly appreciated. ​
​Have I inadvertently placed personal information of yours on line that you don't approve of?
​Please accept my apologies and contact me at president.vcrgunners@gmail.com and I’ll have it removed.
  • Home
  • What's New
  • Lists
    • The Fallen
    • Memorial Page
    • Honours and Awards >
      • Distinguished Service Order
      • Distinguished Conduct Medal
      • Military Cross
      • Military Medal
      • George Medal
      • Croix de guerre
      • Mentioned in Despatches
      • Canadian Forces Decoration
    • Trophies
    • Commanding Officers
    • Regimental Sergeants Major
    • Honoraries
    • BCs and BSMs
    • Band Appointments
    • Chaplains
    • Uniforms
    • Guns
    • Notable Characters
    • Ubique
    • Cemeteries
    • Pets
  • Yearbook
    • The 2020s
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • The 2010s >
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
    • The 2000s >
      • 2000
      • 2001
      • 2002
      • 2003
      • 2004
      • 2005
      • 2006
      • 2007
      • 2008
      • 2009
    • The 1990s >
      • 1990
      • 1991
      • 1992
      • 1993
      • 1994
      • 1995
      • 1996
      • 1997
      • 1998
      • 1999
    • The 1980s >
      • 1980
      • 1981
      • 1982
      • 1983
      • 1984
      • 1985
      • 1986
      • 1987
      • 1988
      • 1989
    • The 1970s >
      • 1970
      • 1971
      • 1972
      • 1973
      • 1974
      • 1975
      • 1976
      • 1977
      • 1978
      • 1979
    • The 1960s >
      • 1960
      • 1961
      • 1962
      • 1963
      • 1964
      • 1965
      • 1966
      • 1967
      • 1968
      • 1969
    • The 1950s >
      • 1950 >
        • 1950 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1950 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1950 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1951 >
        • 1951 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1951 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1951 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1952 >
        • 1952 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1952 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1952 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1953 >
        • 1953 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1953 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1953 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1954 >
        • 1954 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1954 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1954 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1955 >
        • 1955 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1955 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1956 >
        • 1956 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1956 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1957 >
        • 1957 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1957 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1958 >
        • 1958 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1958 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1959 >
        • 1959 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1959 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
    • The 1940s >
      • 1940 >
        • 1940 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1940 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA NPAM
        • 1940 - 1st AA Regt, RCA, CASF
      • 1941 >
        • 1941 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1941 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA NPAM
        • 1941 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1942 >
        • 1942 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1942 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA RF
        • 1942 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1943 >
        • 1943 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1943 - 39th (Reserve) Fd Regt, RCA RF
        • 1943 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1944 >
        • 1944 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1944 - 11th AA Regt, RCA RF
        • 1944 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1945 >
        • 1945 - Vancouver Defences
        • 1945 - 11th AA Regt, RCA RF
      • 1946 >
        • 1946 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1946 - 11th (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1947 >
        • 1947 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1947 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1948 >
        • 1948 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1948 - Vancouver Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1948 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1949 >
        • 1949 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1949 - Vancouver Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1949 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
    • The 1930s >
      • 1930
      • 1931
      • 1932
      • 1933
      • 1934
      • 1935
      • 1936
      • 1937
      • 1938
      • 1939 >
        • 1939 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1939 - 1st AA Regt, RCA, CASF
    • The 1920s >
      • 1920
      • 1921
      • 1922
      • 1923
      • 1924
      • 1925
      • 1926
      • 1927
      • 1928
      • 1929
    • The 1910s >
      • 1915 - 31st Bty, 8th Bde, CFA
      • 1916 >
        • 1916 15th Brigade, CFA
        • 1916 - 31st Bty, 8th Bde, CFA
        • 1916 - 68 Depot
      • 1917 >
        • 1917 - 31st Bty, CFA, CEF
        • 1917 - 5th CSB, CGA ,CEF
        • 1917 - 68 Depot >
          • 1917 - Hastings Park
      • 1918 >
        • 68th Depot Battery CFA
        • 85th Battery CFA
        • Obituaries 1918
      • 1919 >
        • 68th Bty, 16th Bde CFA
        • 5th Cdn Siege Bty, CGA
    • The 1890s >
      • 1893 - BC Garrison Artillery
      • 1894 - BC Garrison Artillery
      • 1898- BC Garrison Artillery
  • Nominal Roll
    • Nom Roll Aaa - Ang >
      • Nom Roll Ank - Azz
    • Nom Roll Baa - Bay >
      • Nom Roll Bea - Bil
      • Nom Roll Bin - Boy
      • Nom Roll Bra - Bry
      • Nom Roll Buc- Bzz
    • Nom Roll Caa - Cav >
      • Nom Roll Caz - Chu
      • Nom Roll Cla - Con
      • Nom Roll Coo - Cri
      • Nom Roll Cro- Czz
    • Nom Roll Daa - Den >
      • Nom Roll Der - Dru
      • Nom Roll Dry - Dzz
    • Nom Roll Eaa - Ezz
    • Nom Roll Faa - Foo >
      • Nom Roll For - Fzz
    • Nom Roll Gaa - Gil >
      • Nom Roll Gin - Gra
      • Nom Roll Gre - Gzz
    • Nom Roll Haa - Han >
      • Nom Roll Har - Hei
      • Nom Roll Hel - Hog
      • Nom Roll Hol - Hui
      • Nom Roll Hul - Hzz
    • Nom Roll Iaa - Izz
    • Nom Roll Jaa - Jzz
    • Nom Roll Kaa - Kim >
      • Nom Roll Kin - Kzz
    • Nom Roll Laa - Led >
      • Nom Roll Lee-Log
      • Nom Roll Loh-Lzz
    • Nom Roll Ma - Mal >
      • Nom Roll Man - McB
      • Nom Roll McC - McH
      • Nom Roll McI - Mei
      • Nom Roll Mel - Moo
      • Nom Roll Mor- Mzz
    • Nom Roll Naa - Nzz
    • Nom Roll Oaa - Ozz
    • Nom Roll Paa - Pek >
      • Nom Roll Pel - Pos
      • Nom Roll Pot- Pzz
    • Nom Roll Qaa - Qzz
    • Nom Roll Raa - Rho >
      • Nom Roll Ric - Ror
      • Nom Roll Ros - Rzz
    • Nom Roll Saa - Sey >
      • Nom Roll Sha - Sma
      • Nom Roll Sme - Spr
      • Nom Roll Spy - Sur
      • Nom Roll Sut - Szz
    • Nom Roll Taa - Til >
      • Nom Roll Tim - Tzz
    • Nom Roll Uaa - Uzz
    • Nom Roll Vaa - Vzz
    • Nom Roll Waa - Way >
      • Nom Roll Wea- Wig
      • Nom Roll Wil - Wol
      • Nom Roll Won - Wzz
    • Nom Roll Xaa - Xzz
    • Nom Roll Yaa - Yzz
    • Nom Roll Zaa - Zzz
  • Calendar
  • Support the Troops!
  • Contact
  • Quartermaster Stores
  • Group Photos
  • Wednesday Lunches
  • References
  • Newsletters - 2023
    • Newsletters - 2022 >
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      • Newsletters - 2020
      • Newsletters - 2019
      • Newsletters - 2018
      • Newsletters - 2017
      • Newsletters - 2016
      • Newsletters - 2015
      • Newsletters - 2014
      • Newsletters - 2013
      • Newsletters - 2012
      • Newsletters - 2011
      • Newsletters - pre 2011
      • Newsletters - WW1
  • Yorke Island
  • What year was that?
  • Index
  • Artillery Music