In Memory of Reg.#0.29, NWMP Inspector F. J. Dickens

PAX



'Friends Not Forgotten'

One name in the North West Mounted Police literature which is mentioned most often is Inspector F. J. 'Frank' Dickens. Without question, part of his reputation arose because he was a son of the English novelist Charles Dickens -- in discreet circles, it is said that Frank Dickens likely received his commission in the NWMP because of family connections. 

Even today, controversary swirls around Inspector Dickens. One the one hand, he was reputed to be an excellent horseman having learned his saddle skills some years earlier with the Bengal Mounted Police. He was truly an 'outdoors' person since he had turned down previous offers in journalism. On the other hand, Dickens reputation was also one less flattering. It is said that that he was frequently overcome by the evil spirits which flow out of the bottle. The ills of every man can be magnified under different lite thus from that perspective, Dickens was not unlike many others who have served in policing. 

After a twelve year career in the NWMP, Dickens stuck hard times. At one point, he was invited to Moline, Illinois to give a speech about his famous father. However, prior to his speech, he died of a heart attack. He was buried in Moline.

The RCMP erected an official N.W.M.P tombstone over Inspector Dickens grave on September 24th. 2002.

'Maintaain Our Memories'

J J. Healy