KENSINGTON, P.E.I. — Trooper Timothy Yorke says he is not nervous but excited to experience his first deployment with the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Kensington native will soon travel to Latvia for an expected six months.
“It feels great to represent Canada,” Yorke said in a recent phone interview. “It’s an incredible honour.
“The Canadian military has a great reputation internationally, so it feels really good to be a part of that. To have a chance to contribute to the mission and assist the Latvia government and people feels fantastic.”
“It feels great to represent Canada. It’s an incredible honour. The Canadian military has a great reputation internationally, so it feels really good to be a part of that. To have a chance to contribute to the mission and assist the Latvia government and people feels fantastic.”
- Trooper Timothy Yorke
Yorke, who recently received the Royal Canadian Dragoons Association Award as top trooper, will be deployed as a driver for a Bison armoured vehicle. He will also assist in establishing, maintaining and monitoring communications for the battle group – a combination of sources working together.
Yorke is looking forward to the opportunity to work on the communications side as well.
“It’s given me some good skills and experiences that have carried back over to my trade (as an armoured crewman),” said Yorke.
Yorke is a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, an armoured unit that dates back to Dec. 21, 1883. Yorke added the Dragoons are one of the oldest units in Canada.
“Currently, the regiment is located at both Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick and Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ont.,” said Yorke. “We consist of A, B and D reconnaissance squadrons, regimental headquarters and a headquarter squadron in Petawawa, and we also have a C squadron, which is a tank squadron, in Gagetown.”
Fast facts
Here’s a quick glance at Trooper Timothy Yorke:
- Age: 20
- Hometown: Kensington
- Parents: Barb Brown-Yorke and Tim Yorke
- Sibling: Leanne, 15
- Education: 2018 graduate of Kensington Intermediate-Senior High School
A career exploration course in high school helped steer Yorke towards a career with the Canadian Armed Forces. He and a few friends interested in the military joined the Prince Edward Island regiment, a primary reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment in 2017.
Two years later, Yorke transferred to the regular force with the Dragoons. It’s a decision he looks back at fondly.
“I love every minute of it,” he said.
Yorke has been impacted positively by discipline and time management with the Canadian Armed Forces.
“From the moment you join the military, life runs on a strict schedule,” said Yorke. “You know what time you are going to wake up, you know what time you are going to work out, what time you are going to go to work, eat, sleep, everything.
“You need to hold yourself to that schedule. That’s a skill that has followed me into pretty well every aspect of my life.”
Yorke said highlights for him are any time he gets to work in a multi-national context. For example, he has had the opportunity to travel to the United States to train with the U.S. national guards.
“I’ve also had the pleasure of competing in CAFSAC, which is the Canadian Armed Forces Small Arms Concentration, which is an international marksmanship competition,” said Yorke. “I always enjoy any time I get to work with other countries armies as it is always a highlight.”
As for long-term goals, Yorke said he is not looking that far ahead. He noted he has a long career ahead of himself. His immediate focus is to be the best he can be in each situation and role.
Asked if any individuals have influenced him, Yorke said it’s tough to narrow it down. He tries “to absorb as much knowledge and experience” as he can from everyone he meets and works with.
“But I, for sure, wouldn’t be here today if it was not for my family, my friends and the leadership of my fellow soldiers that I work with,” he said.
