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  Approximately 50 people came forward, and a steering meeting was conducted in Branch 66 of the Royal Canadian Legion. Five founding members were nominated, and plans were made. We were on our way, and were named "Southern Ontario" branch by RNA HQ in London England.

Our first official function was a ship visit to H.M.S. Bristol, who visited Toronto in May of 1984. This was much enjoyed by all, especially by our WWII members that had had little contact with anything "Pusser" (except the odd tot!!) for many years.

Several more meetings were conducted and plans for the official commissioning of the branch were formulated. The commissioning was to take place aboard HMCS Haida (the last remaining WWII Tribal Class Destroyer) and was to coincide with a visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, in July of 1984. The Executive Officer of the "Britannia" Commander "Paddy" McKnight RN, had agreed to present us with our Branch Colour at our commissioning.

However, due to an election, the Royal visit was postponed and we had to go ahead without the Colour presentation. The Southern Ontario Branch was officially commissioned on July 20 1984 on the gun deck of "Haida" in the presence of The Commanding Officer of the Haida, Commander Bond Royal Navy, Members of the Branch and their guests. After the ceremony we christened the branch with a few tots in the Wardroom of HMCS Haida.

We had to wait until September and the rescheduled visit of HMY Britannia before we could officially be presented with our Branch Colours. This was done as promised by Commander "Paddy" McKnight Royal Navy, the Executive Officer of the Royal Yacht. We also received congratulations and best wishes from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, a rare privilege indeed.

Over the years we have grown from strength to strength, formed an RNA show - "Up Spirits" - made a record [The RNA Song & The Pussers Tot Song] and have been involved in many British Shows at the CNE.  We have competed in the Warriors Day Parade and been awarded prizes.  We have represented the Royal Naval Association both in Canada and the USA and have established an excellent rapport between the Royal Marine & US Marine Corps Associations.  We presented a full Indian Tribal Head Dress to HMS Brave (The ships crest).  The presentation included a very colourful ceremony and parade, as various tribes from all over North America were on parade with their ceremonial head dresses.

Our annual dinner-dance is the "Battle of Trafalgar" which always held on the nearest Saturday to Trafalgar Day.  In the last two years we have switched to a Trafalgar Lunch as members prefer daytime events. We almost always enjoy a guest speaker from the RN, however this is not always possible 2000 miles from the coast.