- Reaction score
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So since I joined the Navy in 2000 I have been to approximately 10 Battle of Trafalgar Mess Dinners. Now I am always one for a good time at a Mess Dinner. I have attended all sorts from the all ranks "instructional" mess dinner to the "period uniforms accepted" ones.
But there has always been something that has irritated me about the Battle of Trafalgar one. It is certainly the less sombre of the two scheduled (the Battle of the Atlantic being the other for those who are not navy culture wary), and usually much more entertaining with a party like atmosphere, but it's not Canadian.
The Battle of Trafalgar is a hold over from the days when the Canadian Navy was desperately trying to be British, with British traditions and the wardroom accent. There were only 31 "Canadians" at the battle From Canada, particularity Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, 31 men.. That's a bit disingenuous as Canada didn't exist then, not to mention Newfoundland wasn't part of Canada until the 50's. Compare that to the fact that there were 28 French and Spanish sailors fighting against their own countries of birth. I'm also pretty sure that there were "Canadians" fighting on the French side.
I honestly think that the Battle of Trafalgar needs to die, or at least be replaced by a suitable Canadian celebration. I understand that usually these things have to grow organically. You can't just fiat a tradition (well I suppose you can... *toast of the day, cough cough*). Part of the problem is that the RCN never really did very much until the Battle of the Atlantic. The Army units all have multiple battle honours with glorious (gory) histories upon which they can draw for their traditions. The "trainbuster" mess dinner or the "sailed in a box for 6 months in a hot place" one doesn't quite have the cache. What do the members feel on this issue?
But there has always been something that has irritated me about the Battle of Trafalgar one. It is certainly the less sombre of the two scheduled (the Battle of the Atlantic being the other for those who are not navy culture wary), and usually much more entertaining with a party like atmosphere, but it's not Canadian.
The Battle of Trafalgar is a hold over from the days when the Canadian Navy was desperately trying to be British, with British traditions and the wardroom accent. There were only 31 "Canadians" at the battle From Canada, particularity Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, 31 men.. That's a bit disingenuous as Canada didn't exist then, not to mention Newfoundland wasn't part of Canada until the 50's. Compare that to the fact that there were 28 French and Spanish sailors fighting against their own countries of birth. I'm also pretty sure that there were "Canadians" fighting on the French side.
I honestly think that the Battle of Trafalgar needs to die, or at least be replaced by a suitable Canadian celebration. I understand that usually these things have to grow organically. You can't just fiat a tradition (well I suppose you can... *toast of the day, cough cough*). Part of the problem is that the RCN never really did very much until the Battle of the Atlantic. The Army units all have multiple battle honours with glorious (gory) histories upon which they can draw for their traditions. The "trainbuster" mess dinner or the "sailed in a box for 6 months in a hot place" one doesn't quite have the cache. What do the members feel on this issue?