To Earn One's Spurs

Photo - North Battleford 1925? – No Spurs

Part I

Hi Jim;

The photo of the North Battleford members you published in Frank’s Facts & Funnies on September 21, 2011 and the question regarding no spurs raised by Ric Hall peaked my interest.

I have a book entitled: "Uniforms of the Canadian Mounted Police"  by

James J. Boulton that was published in North Battleford in 1990 and there is an article on "Spurs" on page 292 under the heading Brown Uniform’s – A Sign of the 1930’s.

In brief, the 1930’s article states that "no alteration to the officer’s uniform produced more problem for the Board than the question of spurs". The article goes on to say that ….."under modern conditions the wearing of spurs is often a real handicap" and "when travelling in or driving a car or when performing any dismounted duty, spurs are a hindrance". It also says that "there are a number of Divisions in the Force in which spurs are no longer issued to the men…..and consequently it would look incongruous for an officer to parade in spurs with the men who are not wearing spurs".

I think this article now explains why the members in the North Battleford photo are not wearing spurs.

Have a good day,

Dave Davies,

Reg. No 24367

Davies1969@shaw.ca

Part II Photo Question – Battleford

September 27

Hi Frank and Joe,

The best I could do is that the photo was taken in 1938 at North Battleford just after the parade through town. 

The attached photo should help a bit. The Silver Jubilee North Battleford 1938 photo (sold on Ebay) states the officer is Commanding Inspector Briggs. There are 14 members on parade and (when blown up) a couple are recognizable to your original photo which also has 14 members. The picture is very pixilated when blown up too large, but several can be seen with no spurs. The event would have been the Silver Jubilee Incorporation of North Battleford as a City. (North Battleford was incorporated as village in 1906, a town in 1907 and a city (with population 5000) in 1913.) The photo was sold on ebay 11/03/2006. I do not know who purchased the photo. The photo was most likely taken after the parade.

Dust on Boots? Just came off parade on non paved streets.

Spurs? My best guess, many members did not wear spurs while driving vehicles, especially motorcycles. See the Popular Science article attached.

I hope this helps.

Bob Warnke

Webmaster, Regina RCMP Veterans' Association

www.reginarcmpvets.ca

reginarcmpvets@sasktel.net

Link: Mechanizing the Famous Mounties (Oct, 1933)

Filed under: Crime and Police

Source: Popular Science

Issue: Oct, 1933