HMCS Toronto (K538)

HMCS Toronto was a River-class frigate that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1944-1945 and as a Prestonian-class frigate from 1953-1956. It was later renamed Garm and HNoMS Valkyrien by the Royal Norwegian Navy.



Built by Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, she was commissioned into the RCN on 6 May 1944 with the pennant K538.

Following extensive work-up exercises in the vicinity of Bermuda, Toronto was transferred to Escort Group 16 which operated out of HMCS Protector at Sydney, Nova Scotia. From that time until May 1945 she conducted extensive anti-submarine operations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, for which the ship was awarded the Battle Honour "Gulf of St. Lawrence - 1944."

After completing five months of training at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Toronto was decommissioned in November 1945 and placed in reserve.

She underwent conversion to a Prestonian-class frigate in 1952 and was recommissioned with pennant number 319 on 26 November 1953.

She was paid off by the RCN in April 1956 and transferred to the Royal Norwegian Navy as Garm, renamed HNOMS Valkyrien in 1965. She was scrapped by the Royal Norwegian Navy in 1977.