Mr. Peter Townsend was born on 12 October 1935 and raised in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, UK. A sea cadet with T.S. Kidderminster in 1948, he first went to sea in 1949, as a Boy Seaman in the Tall Ship Arethusa. After serving with the British Merchant Service; P&O Lines to the Far East and Australia, he enrolled in the Royal Navy as an adult entry Signalman - July 1953.

After serving in a variety of warships and shore stations in Malta, Ceylon, Singapore, Hong Kong, India and the Persian Gulf he volunteered; through a Commonwealth transfer plan, to join the Royal Canadian Navy in 1958. He then served in HMC Ships Nootka, Huron (216), Fort Erie, Bonaventure, Chaudiere and Margaree, with shore postings to Stadacona, Cabot, Mill Cove, and Cornwallis.

In 1969, while serving in HMCS Margaree as Yeoman - he was commissioned from the ranks (CFR) as a Communications Branch Officer, completed Pre-Fleet training on the West Coast and subsequently appointed to HMCS Skeena as Deck Officer, followed by Huron (281) and Preserver. Finally swallowing the anchor – he came ashore as a Naval Lieutenant in 1974.

After appointments as Fleet School Electronic Warfare Training Officer, Company Commander CF Recruit School Cornwallis (Mayor of Cornwallis Community 1977) and OIC Junior Leadership School Halifax, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander and appointed Fleet School Boatswain Division Commander in 1981. He was invested as a Member of the Military Order of Merit in 1982, by the then Governor General of Canada - The Right Honourable Edward Schreyer.

Following an appointment as Staff Officer Training Maritime Command 1985/06, LCdr Townsend moved to National Defense HQ as Staff Officer Combat Related Employment of Women (DCREW) 1987/88.  In 1989 he returned to CF Recruit School Cornwallis as the Chief Training Officer and retired from the Navy   (Regular Force) in Aug 1990.

Immediately transferring to the Cadet Instructor List, he became the Navigation Training Officer for #26 RCSeaCC Digby at Cornwallis and appointed Corps CO Jan 92. In addition; in the spring of 1993 and 1994 - a Tender Vessel XO at HMCS Quadra – QUEST, in the summer - the Chief Training Officer at HMCS Acadia- SCSTC. In 1996 Lieutenant-Commander Townsend was selected to be the Nova Scotia Cadet Detachment Commander, Regional Cadet HQ in Halifax. In his spare time he was a District President, Area Commissioner and District Adult Trainer for Scouts Canada, earning the Medal of Merit award for Service.
He finally fully retired (CRA) in Oct 2000 – with almost 52 years service in the naval environment.

Upon final retirement he volunteered with the Navy League of Canada, initially serving as a Director with the Nova Scotia Mainland Division, then as 1st Vice President and Sea Cadet portfolio 2000-03. He was the Division President 2004 – 08 and National VP – Division President’s Representative 2008/09. Currently, he continues as the immediate Past President of the NS Mainland Division and is now a National Board Director – Rules and Policy and Atlantic Area Representative.  

 At home, he is a Justice of the Peace and a Commissioner of Oaths in and for the Province of Nova Scotia. He also volunteers with the NS/PEI Anglican Diocese as the Secretary of both the Diocesan Corporation Board and its Management Committee. He is the elected NS/PEI Diocesan Synod Lay delegate to General Synod and the elected ecclesiastical Province of Canada Lay Representative of the Council of General Synod. As such, he is an elected - Member of the Governing Board of the Canadian Council of Churches.

He currently holds an office in three Bodies of the Masonic organization and is a Past District Grand Master, Past District Grand PS and Past TIM. He is also a VP of HMCS ACADIA - SCSTC Alumni.              
 
Married to former Ruth Barteaux of Moschelle, Annapolis Royal, they have two adult children – Craig in North Carolina, and Sarah in Virginia. Ruth and Peter share their spare time; between being at home, in