A platoon of recruits at Base Borden has been named after HMCS Orangeville, a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ship that served our country in the Second World War and was named after the Town of Orangeville.

Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams and Commander Allen Fry Commandant of Canadian Forces Fleet School Quebec, presided over a special ceremony at Naval Reserve Training Division (NRTD) in Borden to officially bestow the name HMCS Orangeville on the platoon of young Naval Reservists.

Mayor Adams presented the HMCS Orangeville pennant to the platoon. Members of the Orangeville Legion also attended the event at Base Borden, held July 22.

The recruits’ summer training program concludes with a graduation ceremony on August 26, when the “Orangeville” recruits will pass on to the next stage of their training.

Traditionally, platoons in NRTD have been named after battles in Canadian history that helped develop the international respect that we enjoy today.

But this year, 2010, being the Navy’s Centennial, NRTD chose to name the platoons after Royal Canadian Navy ships that served our country with distinction during these past 100 years.

HMCS Orangeville was one of several ‘Castle-class” escort vessels that were originally built for the Royal Navy, but were transferred to the RCN on completion.

All their pennant numbers, as well as their names, were changed when transferred.

HMCS Orangeville (K491) was originally named the Hedingham Castle, after what is now a major tourist attraction in England’s Essex County. The castle's Norman keep, 110 feet high, was built c.1140 by Aubrey de Vere and is still owned by one of his descendants.