Reg. #11116, Cst. Donald McBeth

Stained glass in RCMP Chapel 

Accidental death of Reg.#11116, D. Mcbeth
Dear Buffalo Joe;

My family has some RCMP winter service mittens that were owned by Cst. D McBeth. We understand that he drowned in Saskatchewan in the 30's. Family lore had it that he was accompaning the march of the unemployed from Vancouver down east. We think he was otherwise stationed in the 'north'.

I would like to donate the mittens to the museum in Fort Macleod, but I would like to be more sure of my facts before I approach them. Can you give me any help?

Yours truly,

Doug Wells
Email: dewells@agt.net

Reply to Mr. Doug Wells
Dear Friend,

Thank you for your note.

I went to Veteran Jack White's History files to determine the way in which Reg.#11116 Donald McBeth died: Vet. White states: "On August 4th, 1935, off duty Reg.#11116 McBeth canoeing with Reg.#11195 Mast at Regina Beach when sudden wind storm upset canoe. Members swimming toward shore and propelling canoe, when McBeth suddenly sank. Despite efforts of Reg.#11195 & other swimmers, his body was not found until 12 hours later.

Cst. McBeth is buried at the RCMP Cemetery at 'Depot' Div., Block A, Row 1 Plot 8."

If I can help you further, please let me know. Prompted by your e-mail, I have updated Cst. McBeth's database file.

I would be deeply appreciative if you would send me a snapshot of the RCMP mittens so that I can add the photo to Cst. McBeth's file

Yours truly,

Joe
#23685

Vet of the Month - Reg. #692, S/Sgt. W.J. Hall

Reg. #692, S/Sgt. William John Hall - Vet of the Month - May, 2010
by
Insp. Alain Bouchard, OIC Criminal Records

Good Afternoon Joe;

I became aware of your website from a recent article in the Front Line Perspective publication.

I served in 'F' Div. and I was stationed in Onion Lake from 1988 to 1991. During that time, I was responsible for the Annual Grave Inspection and Report.  I was pleased to see that the three members buried in Onion Lake (Hall, Burke and Lucey) were included in your data base.

I am surprised, however, that S/Sgt Hall's grave in unmarked. I recall on my first inspection that his headstone had been damaged and my report recommended that it should be replaced. I thought a new one had been ordered and installed prior to my departure in 1991?  S/Sgt. Hall's grave was in the same cemetary but was not adjacent to the other two members whom I've mentioned.

S/Sgt. Hall had an interesting and unusual career. He had to patrol the entire north west area of Saskatchewan by horse and he would leave the Detachment on extended patrol for months. He was also the first member at the Frog Lake Massacre. I once had the opportunity to meet his daughter -- she had in her possession several articles of the NWMP (ie: his issue lamp, some uniforms etc.) plus his diary describing the massacre scene as he saw it in Frog Lake.

I was able to learn from Jack White's history files that S/Sgt. Hall was born on June 8, 1859 in Brookeboro, Ireland and he spent three years in the North Irish Horse Regiment. After arriving in Canada, he joined the NWMP on April 17, 1882.

Jack White tells this story of S/Sgt. Hall. About 1901, an Indian named  'Mighty Hamlin' stabbed several people then fled to a dugout fort with a rifle. S/Sgt. Hall was alone so he rode for three days (120 miles to Battleford) to report the incident and get help. Afterwards, he returned to Onion Lake with Reg.#3571 McArthuer and Reg.#3261 Kennedy. Using a ruse of being drunk natives, they lured 'Mighty Hamlin' out of the fortress. 'Mighty Hamlin' was wounded but nevertheless place under arrest!

On another sad note, over a period of a month, S/Sgt. Hall was also responsible for retrieving many of the the remains of murdered victims of the Frog Lake Massacre and placing them in a temporary cemetery.

S/Sgt. Hall retired as the NCO i/c of Onion Lake Detachment on April 16, 1910. After he retired, he was granted a pension of $104.00 quarterly. For a while he farmed then he became the Post Master in Onion Lake. The job went to his wife after he died on February 14, 1926.

I would imagine that the difficulties and hardships which he encountered over his career probably never left his mind. Considering S/Sgt. Hall's contribution to the NWMP like so many others, I assume that members today are still doing grave inspections to ensure that the graves reflect the Force's respect for our deceased members.

I think S/Sgt. Hall truly deserves to be nominated as May's Vet of the Month!

In closing, I would like to congratulate you on a job well done!

Regards,

Insp. Alain Bouchard
OIC Criminal Records
alain.bouchard@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#8072, John O'Neill - On duty

Reg.#8072, John O'Neill - On duty at Royal Bank of Canada

Photo by Karsh


'Maintain Our Memories'

S/Cst. Nancy Louisa Noakes (nee) Meyer

Last Post

NOAKES, Nancy Louisa (nee Meyer) - It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Nancy Louisa Meyer Noakes on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, as the result of an accident. Devoted mother of Sara, Andrew and step-son Bobby, wife of Robert Noakes. Loving daughter of John and Lia Meyer of Milton. Cherished sister of Alice (Derek) Ramalho of Brampton and Linda Meyer of Calgary, AB.

Nancy will be sadly missed by her dog Penny. Nancy retired as on Officer from the RCMP after 16 years of service to dedicate her time to family. She worked over a decade with the Milton Public Library, were she will be deeply missed by her co-workers.

In more recent years, Nancy began taking flying lessons which quickly became a great passion. Family and friends are invited to visit at the McKersie - Kocher Funeral Home, 114 Main St., Milton, 905-878-4452, from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. The Memorial service will follow Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society (Breast Cancer Research) would be appreciated.

Vets Toronto Div.

'Maintain Our Memories'

http://www.thespec.com/printArticle/777437

Reg.#20284, Superintendent Ralph R. de Groot

New Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Hastings-Prince Edward Regiment.

Vets across Canada extend congratulations and affection to retired Reg.#0.1092, RCMP Superintendent Ralph R. de Groot upon being named Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Hastings-Prince Edward Regiment.

Supt. de Groot joined the Force in 1957 and he retired in 1991. Ralph and his wife live in Peterborough, ON

'Maintain Our Memories'

Photo credit: Peterborough Examiner

Reg.#15912, S/Sgt. Arnold B McAllister

Last Post

Toronto Vets advise that:

Reg.#15912, (Rtd) S/Sgt. Arnold B. McAllister died May 21, 2010 at Toronto, ON.

S/Sgt. McAllister served from 1949 to 1975 in 'F', 'O', 'B' and 'O' Div's. He was a Life Member of the Toronto Div. Vets.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#5482, Frank Crossley,

My grandfather, Reg.#5482, Frank Crossley

A few years ago I visited my grandfather's grave site in Royal Oaks Cemetery in Victoria, BC. At that time I noted that there is nothing denoting the fact that he was one of the first RCMP members of Canada. My siblings and myself would very much like to see some sort of RCMP marking on his grave, as I think he was proud of his life's work.

I know that my grandfather first served with the RNWMP from about 1910 and when it changed to the RCMP he continued to work till 1920. He also served in WWI in France as a private with the Lord Strathcona Horse Regiment. He was in the last battle fought on horseback!

My granddad's Service Number during WWI was #2684073 as a private, and his war Service Badge was Class A, #186252.

When he returned from war, he was discharged from the RCMP on June 3, 1920 and on June 7, 1920 he joined the Alberta Provincial Police (APP) as a constable, to corporal and to sergeant .

Sgt. Crossley rejoined the RCMP on April 1, 1932 and retired on January 31, 1944.

Yours truly,

Kathy Boudreau

'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#20572, Cpl Wayne E. Wilson

Last Post

Regina Div Vets advise that;

Reg.#20572, (Rtd) Cpl. Wayne E. Wilson died May 4, 2010 at Regina, SK.

Cpl. Wilson served from 1958 to 1993 in 'F', 'G', 'F' and 'Depot' Div.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#17878, former Cst. James Miller Lovering

Last Post

Victoria Div Vets advise that;

Reg.#17878, former Cst. James Miller Lovering died May 1, 2010 at Victoria, BC.

Cst. Lovering served from 1952 to 1955 in 'A' and 'F' Divs, then left to the RCAF Security. He had suffered from M.S. for the past 40 years.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#27581 / O.1399, D/Comm'r. Peter Martin

Last Post

I am advised that;

Reg.#27581 /O.1399, D/Comm'r. Peter Martin (Rtd) died May 1, 2010 at Ottawa, ON. He died unexpectedly following surgery as a result of a stress fracture in his leg.

D/Comm'r Martin served from 1969 in 'A' Div. and then in the Canadian Police Information Centre 'HQ' (CPIC). Over the next 32 years he was in Informatics in 'O' and 'B' Div. and in the Pacific Region.

In 1998, he retired to take on the role of General Manager of the Emergency Communications for Southwestern British Columbia (E-com) project. In 2001, Peter returned to the RCMP as the Director of Informatics and then as the Chief Information Officer.

In 2004, he was appointed Deputy Commissioner of National Police Services (NPS). In 2008, he was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer. He retired on April 12, 2010.

His brother, Reg.#32327, Cst. Chris Martin, served from 1975 to 2005 and a second brother, Reg.#42156, S/Sgt Andrew Martin currently serves in 'E' Div.

Jack White

'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#15795, former Cst. John Stanley Dunn

Last Post

Relayed to me from obit;

Reg.#15785, former Cst. John Stanley Dunn died Apr 29, 2010 at Ottawa, ON.

Cst. Dunn served from 1949 to 1951 in 'O' Div. He then left to the Canadian Army Provost Corps, retiring as Lt. Colonel.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Mmories'

Reg.#14373, S/Sgt Arthur White

Last Post

Vancouver Div Vets advise that;

Reg.#14373, S/Sgt. Arthur White (R'td) died April 13, 2010 at North Vancouver, BC.

S/Sgt. White served briefly in the Force in 1942. He joined the RCAF during WWII and served from 1943 to 1945.

He returned to the Force in 1946 and served until 1967 in 'D', 'F', 'G' and 'E' Div's. Following retirement, S/Sgt. White worked with Sears Security.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#13975, Sgt John 'Jack' Krassie

Last Post

Relayed to me from obit;

Reg.#13975, (Rtd) Sgt. John 'Jack' Krassie died April 27, 2010 at Winnipeg, MB.

Sgt. Krassie served from 1941 to 1970 in 'D' Div.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#15770, S/Sgt Robin R. Oldham

LastPost

Vancouver Div. Vets advise that;

Reg.#15770 (Rtd) S/Sgt. Robin R. Oldham died April 27, 2010 at Tsawassen, BC.

S/Sgt. Oldham served from 1949 to 1974 in 'K' and 'E' Div's. He retired from Security Service then worked for C.P. Airlines Security.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#4947, Cst. Alexis Godillot

Vet of the Month: Reg.#4947, Alexis Godillot
April, 2010

Dear Mr Healy,

Hello from the USA!

Your website was recommended to me by former RCMP Officer Mr. Doug Legault.

My father was in the RNWMP or the RCMP probably sometime between 1907 and 1914. He later drove an ambulance with the Norton-Harjes Ambulance Corps in France during WWI.

My mother and father divorced when I was a toddler and I never knew him. I believe he died around 1944 and he would have been buried in the family plot in Westport, Connecticut, USA. His family was very prominent in the Westport area before WWI and there should be no trouble finding the Godillot burial site.

Looking back, I think my Dad would have wanted me to know a little about his life so any help you can offer would be appreciated. I don't know why it is we seem to think of these things when we get old.

I would like to have any information about his service in Canada that might be available to me but I don't have much beside his name and a few vague dates to go on. His mother out-lived him by 12 years and I inherited what was left of the family estate.

Grandmother Godillot would have told me everything if I had bothered to take the time to ask. I'll be 79 on my next birthday.

Anyway I hope you can help or give me a lead to follow.

I enclose the only picture I have of Dad.

Thanks in advance and all the best to you Joe!

John Godillot
Collegeville, PA. USA

Readers: I have remained in contact with Mr. Godillot.
JJHealy

Reg.#19600, S/Sgt. Frank Michael Gardner

Last Post

From the Vets Net;

Reg.#19600, (Rtd) S/Sgt. Frank Michael Gardner died April 24, 2010 at Okotoks, AB.

S/Sgt. Gardner served from 1956 to 1987 in 'F', 'A', 'HQ' and 'K' Div's.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#18676, S/Sgt. James B. Hunter

Last Post

Edmonton Div. Vets advise that;

Reg.#18676 (Rtd) S/Sgt. James B. Hunter died April 24, 2010 at Edmonton, AB.

S/Sgt. Hunter served from 1954 to 1975 in 'K' and 'HQ' Div. In 2006 he was awarded the Order of Canada.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#21912, former Cst. Alexander Strank

Last Post

New Brunswick Div. Vets advise that while searching other information they ran across an unreported death of an RCMP member;

Reg.#21912 former Cst. Alexander Strank died February 10, 2010 at Mission, B.C. He joined the Force in 1961 but his last date of service is not presently known.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#13668, S/Sgt George E. Sibley

Last Post

Nova Scotia Div. Vets advise that;

Reg.#13668 (Rtd) S/Sgt. George E. Sibley died April 18, 2010 at Liverpool N.S.
S/Sgt. Sibley served from 1940 to 1969 in 'J' and 'HQ' Div.

Jack White

'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg. #17911, S/Sgt John Hugh David MacDowell

Last Post

Victoria Div Vets advise that;

Reg.#17911 (Rtd) S/Sgt. John Hugh David MacDowell died April 16, 2010 at Victoria, BC.

S/Sgt. MacDowell served from 1952 to 1978 in 'K', 'M', 'O', 'H' and 'HQ' Div. He retired from Security Service.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#16513, S/Sgt Laurence Martin

Last Post

Okanagan Div Vets advise that;

Reg.#16513 (Rtd) S/Sgt. Laurence Martin died April 15, 2010 at Grand Forks, B.C.

S/Sgt. Martin served during WWII, then in the BCPP from 1947 as Service #1127 and in the Force from 1950 to 1972 in 'E' Div. He retired as NCO i/c Mission Det.

On November 3, 1955 S/Sgt. Martin and Reg.#18160 Cst. Millhouse received the Queen's Commendation and British Empire Medal when a flash flood in Haney, B.C. trapped Hedy Worianko and daughter in the Allouette River.

At first Martin and Millhouse tried a rescue in a boat but the boat was swamped. Then, S/Sgt. Martin temporarily secured the victims in river debris. Eventually Millhouse left his place of safety and swam to shore some 300 yards away. The members returned and finally rescued the Worianko's after a 12 hour effort.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#19402, Cpl. William W. Chopey

Last Post

Edmonton Div Vets advise that;

Reg.#19402 (Rtd) Cpl. William W. Chopey died April 13, 2010 at Wetaskiwin, AB.

Cpl. Chopey served from 1956 to 1978 in 'K' Div.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#18989 / O.1308 Insp. Clarence P. Evans

Last Post

National HQ Vets advise that;

Reg.#18989 / O.1308 Insp. Clarence P. Evans (Rtd) died April 7, 2010, following a stroke, at Ottawa, ON.

Insp. Evans served from 1955 to 1993 in 'O', 'HQ', 'A' & 'HQ' Div.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Police Service Dog 'Hrain' Reg#669

Vet of the Month - March, 2010

PSD 'Hrain', Reg.#669, RCMP - Killed in the line of duty July 22, 2006

Baltimore, New Brunswick

RCMP Corporal Pierre Gardner and his partner PSD 'Hrain', a three-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd Dog, had responded to a call about a twenty-five-year-old man, high on crystal meth, who had barricaded himself inside his house and was threatening to commit suicide.

Gardner and 'Hrain' made their way around to cover the back of the house, and as they reached the backyard, 'Hrain' indicated on a track. Gardner noticed fresh footprints leading from the house into woods.

The team followed the track for a bit, until Gardner began to sense that they were in danger. Although 'Hrain' was eager to continue, Gardner decided to stop and wait for backup. Placing 'Hrain' in a down, Gardner stood on the dog’s leash as he radioed for assistance. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through the trees and 'Hrain' bolted, yanking his leash out from under Gardner’s boot. Gardner called for 'Hrain' to return, but the dog had disappeared into the forest. He heard a man shout somewhere in the woods - then an eerie silence.

When their backup arrived and searched the house, they found the suspect hiding inside, a fresh dog bite on his leg. With the suspect now securely in custody, the officers turned their attention to finding the missing police dog - but the forest was dense and 'Hrain' was nowhere to be found.

The next day, a search and rescue party was dispatched to comb the woods. At 2:00pm, they discovered 'Hrain’s' lifeless body, 150-feet from where his handler had stood calling for him. The post-mortem report concluded that the suspect had strangled 'Hrain' with his collar before beating him to death. It was later determined that the suspect had been waiting in the woods, armed with a rifle – perhaps waiting for someone to come after him.

'Hrain' was born in Europe on November 13, 2002 and graduated with Gardner on March 18, 2004. “...Hrain was a hunter, and his strength was that he loved finding people,” recalled Gardner, adding that he believes 'Hrain' instinctively sensed danger, and that his canine partner’s heroic actions ultimately saved his life.

Ironically, Gardner’s former canine partner, PSD 'Branko', was also killed in the line of duty by a suicidal man on September 30, 1997.

'Maintain Our Memories'

Permission received from:
Author: Natalie Ann Comeau: Toronto, ON
nacomeau@cogeco.ca

http://www.natalieanncomeau.ca/

Reg.#17009, S/Sgt. Robert William Woolaver

Last Post

New Brunswick Div. Vets advise that;

Reg.#17009 (Rtd) S/Sgt. Robert William Woolaver died April 7, 2010 at Fredericton, N.B.

S/Sgt. Woolaver served from 1951 to 1980 in 'L', 'J', 'A', 'B', 'H & 'J' Div's.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Constable Frederick Rhodes, Reg.#9951: Honour Roll #48

Note from family

Dear Joe;

Many years ago, Frederick Rhodes was engaged to my aunt at the time of his death by fire.

Fred's family and financee lived in Yorkshire, England.

Are there any service records availavle for Constable Rhodes?

Yours truly,

P. J. Haigh

Email: pjhaigh@ntlworld.com

Received on April 9, 2010
Reply sent April 9, 2010

For full story about Cst. Rhodes: See RCMP Honour Roll at http://www.rcmpgraves.com/

'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#18798 /0.928, Supt. George Timko

Last Post

I am advised that;

Reg.#18798 / O.928 Supt. George Timko (Rtd) died April 6, 2010 at Ottawa, ON.

Supt. Timko served from 1954 to 1993 in 'H', 'B' and 'H' Div.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg.#25188, Cpl. Donald Wayne Gillespie

Last Post

I have just been advised that;

Reg.#25188 (Rtd) Cpl. Donald Wayne Gillespie died April 5, 2010 at Merritt, B.C.

Cpl. Gillespie served from 1966 to 1988 in 'E' Div.

Jack White
 
'Mauintain Our Memories'

Reg.#14481, Sgt. Marvel Dwight Mattson

Last Post

Nova Scotia Div. Vets advise that;

Reg.# 14481 (Rtd) Sgt. Marvel Dwight Mattson died April 1, 2010 at Chester, N.S.

Sgt. Mattson served from 1942 to 1966 in 'H' Div and was Life Member of our Nova Scotia Div. Vets.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'

Reg. #17125, S/Sgt. Donald L. Burgess

Last Post

Nova Scotia Div. Vets advise that;

Reg. #17125 (Rtd) S/Sgt. Donald L. Burgess died March 30, 2010 at Halifax, N.S.

S/Sgt. Burgess served from 1951 to 1988 in 'H' Div.

Jack White
 
'Maintain Our Memories'