The movement expanded rapidly and before the end of that year Branches had
established themselves abroad, including one in Toronto whose warrant dated 16th
December 1895 now hangs in the National Office in Ottawa. From its earliest days, the Navy League has been an active organization. In
October 1895 the group in Toronto in the course of forming the Branch there, had
already prepared a submission to the Canadian Government on the subject of
maritime defence and the need for a Naval Reserve training program. Continued
efforts in support of improved naval defence, either as an imperial or national
effort, helped the government when it was formulating Canada's naval policy and
establishing the Canadian Naval Service, forerunner of the Royal Canadian Navy,
in 1910. In these early years, the Branches in Canada supported informally a
youth training programme aimed at encouraging young men towards a seafaring
career, and providing basic training in citizenship and seamanship. The History Of Navy League
The latter half of the nineteenth century saw rapid expansion and
development of the British Empire and, with it, the dependence on ocean shipping
routes for its trade and defence. At the same time the German Empire was
becoming increasingly aggressive, and competing step by step with Britain.
Concern as to the adequacy of the Royal Navy of that day to defend the widely
separated components of the Empire and their essential shipping gave rise to the
formation in Britain in 1895 of a society with the primary aim of ensuring an
adequate naval defence. This was the Navy League, organized with local Branches
in towns and cities and drawing its support from people of all walks of life,
but interested in the problem of ocean trade and naval defence.
NLCC Polynia is named for a ship that sank in July of 1892.
The Polynia, a five hundred and eighty-two ton square rigged steam driven vessel was built at Dundee, Scotland in 1861. During the fall of 1862 the ship was under the command of Captain Guy.
The Polynia was on a trip from Dundee to St. John's. Just two days after leaving port the Polynia struck a heavy southwest gale that killed one of the crew and injured ten others. The heavy gale carried away the lifeboats and damaged her structure.
After weathering the storm in the fall of that year, the Polynia went to the seal fishery with Guy in command. On July 11, 1892 the Polynia became caught in the ice and Guy and his crew of thirty-seven abondoned ship. The next day she went to the bottom.
| 1966 | Corps was formed as #81 N.L.C.C. |
| 1968 | Corps #81 received its name Polynia |
| 1977 | First female cadets entered the corps |
| 1979 | NLCC Polynia came first in Canada |
| 1983 | The corps Kisbee Ring arrived |
| 1984 | Interim sponsorship of #81 NLCC Polynia was Navy League of Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Division |
| 1984 | Corps first female commanding |
| 1985 | The Mace for the corps arrived |
| 1986 | 20th anniversary for the corps |
| 1989 | NLCC Polynia get their own quarters and new sponsoring committee |
| 1989 | NLCC Polynia is presented with their own Ship's Bell and new Mace |
| 1990 | First Navy League Tattoo |
| 1990 | NLCC Polynia first camp at Mint Brook Camp Grounds |
| 1991 | Corps received a complete set of Provincial Flags |
| 1991 | 25th Anniversary of the corps |
| 1992 | Corps Crest approved |
| 1992 | New sponsor, Church Lads' Brigade, awarded "Most Progressive Sponsor" |
| 1992 | Harvey Road Fire destroys C.L.B. Armory; ship's stores completely destroyed |
| 1993 | Corps sets up temporary offices at St. Michael's and St. Mary's |
| 1995 | First Parade in the new C.L.B. Armoury |
| 1995 | Corps participates in 100th Anniversary of Navy League of Canada |
| 2001 | Corps Recieves Silver Level Proficiency Award |
The Navy League of Canada uniform is the only one of it's kind in the world,
WEAR IT WITH PRIDE, for it distinguishes you as a very special kind of cadet.
The rank structure is the foundation of any military organization, dating back
to the Navy's very roots. There are two seperate rank structures, one for cadets
and one for officers.
Care Of Your Uniform | |
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Your cap is made of white vinal. It is easily cleaned with a damp
cloth and a little detergent. If you have a persistant stain, try a small
amount of cleaner like AJAX - The cap is to be worn at the width of one finger above the eyebrow. The front cap seam is centered directly over the nose with the bow over the left ear. The chin stay must be sewen to the cap at the correct length. |
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Your lanyard is made of white cotton, and is easily cleaned with a bar
of hand soap and warm water. Let it drip dry over a clothes line or towel
rack. Wash every week - The lanyard shall be worn around the neck, under the epaulets. The knot at the second button, looped at the fourth with the end tucked into the left breast pocket. |
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Your shirt is made of dark blue cotton, and is machine washable.The
badges on your shirt do not have to removed. When your shirt is
dried... IRON IT - The shirt is always worn tucked into the trousers with ALL buttons done up. If an undershirt is worn, it needs to be white and v-necked. |
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GAITORS |
Your belt and gaitors (where applicable) are made of light white
canvas. Place your belt in a pillow case or net bag and tie the top. It
can be washed in a machine, and dried in a dryer. When dryed in a dryer,
leave the belt/gaitors in the pillow case. - The belt is to be buckled at the center, and adjusted to the correct length. Gaitors are to be worn over pant bottoms with buckles to the outside. |
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Your trousers are made of a blue serge material and are DRY CLEAN ONLY. Ensure that your trousers
are pressed weekly with an iron. Your trousers are to be pressed
inside-out and the legs ironed from seam to seam with NO CENTRE
CREASE. - The trousers should touch the instep of the boot without bagging. |
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Your boots are to be polished to a high shine every week prior to
parade time. - The boots are to be laced straight accross. |
Cadet Ranks | |
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The cadet rank is designated by a series of chevrons, and anchors. The rank badges are to be sewn on the left shirt sleeve of the uniform, just above the elbow. When attaching Leading Cadet, PO2, or PO1 ranks, the tips of the anchor badge should touch the chevrons. |
Officer Ranks | |
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The officer rank system is based on a series of bars, some thick and some thin. Depending on the "rig-of-the-day", you will either find these bars on the Shoulder Board, or the sleeve of the officer's uniform. |
History of the CLB in
Newfoundland The CLB has a long and glorious history. It was formed on St.
Martin's Day, November 11th, 1891 in the Parish of Fulham in London, England by
Walter Mallock Gee. Just one year later, it was started in Newfoundland due to
the efforts of a young man named Harold Blackler. Through his efforts, Bishop
Jones, Anglican Bishop of Newfoundland, gave permission for a C.L.B. company to
be started here. Our history has been uninterrupted since that date.The CLB in
Newfoundland consists of 22 companies that are spread across the Avalon
Peninsula from St. John's to Trinity East/ Port Rexton.
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Webpage designed by Mid(nl) Mike Keating - AC Allison Wyatt - AC Stephanie
Wyatt - AC Patrick Goodyear - LC Ashley Hudson.