In Memory of Sgt. J. C. Coughlin - Royal Tour 1939

Sgt. J. C. Coughlin - Royal Tour 1939

Revived and Living (in our memories)

Deceased RCMP Sgt. J. C. 'Jimmy' Coughlin deserves to be called a legend in life. 

Sgt. Coughlin first came to my mind in mid 1964 at 'Depot'. I was one of a half dozen recruits chosen by Riding Instructor Cpl. Dee Jessiman to dig a grave in the 'Depot' Cemetery. At the time of the dig, we didn't know the intended grave's occupant.

As it turned out, the deceased was more famous than any of us realized. I now know that he was Reg. # 12511, Sgt. James Campbell Coughlin. Jack White of the Kamloops Vets reports the following:

'Coughlin Bay’, Regina, Saskatchewan is named after Reg.#12511, RCMP Sergeant James Campbell Coughlin. Jimmy was a man of many talents. He was the Canadian Welter Weight Boxing Champion of 1934 and he put these talents to good use in his many years as Boxing Instructor at ‘Depot’. Probably for his physical abilities, he was chosen as one of the 4 personal Orderlies (bodyguards) to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on their 1939 Royal Tour of Canada.

Sgt. Coughlin was also a artisan. He designed the wrought iron gates, which welcomed all to ‘Depot’ for many years, at both the north and south entrances to the training facility. He also collaborated in the design of the Steeple on the Force Chapel at ‘Depot’ and, in 1962, painted a mural which adorns the Sergeants Mess at ‘Depot’.

Recently, I was very pleased to receive a letter from Historian Vet Don Klancher of 'E' Div. about Sgt. Coughlin. In addition to providing more information on the roles of the two different RCMP groups who travelled with the Royal couple, he also sent this photograph which was taken from a post card.

Don Klancher explained there were four members who were body guards (Orderlies) who accompanined the Royal couple. They were: Reg. #10433 Sgt. H.W.H. Williams, Reg.#12054 Cst. J.A.L.S. Langlois, Reg.#12511 Cst. J.C. Coughlin and Reg.#12766 Cst. R. Portelance. These four members can be seen in the photograph above.

Don said there was a second group of RCMP which also travelled with the Royal couple but in a separate pilot train-car. The distinction between the two groups of RCMP escorts is explained in Without Fear, Favour or Affection written by then Assistant Commissioner V.A.M. Kemp. A/Comm'r Kemp wrote: '[the first group to which Sgt. Coughlin belonged was] '... a hand-picked detachment [who] travelled at all times on the Royal train, while another [the second] group travelled on the pilot train. The police party, consisting of sixteen NCO's, constables and myself, occupied a full car on the pilot train...'p.191.

The 1939 Royal Tour was most unique to the RCMP because it the first major, cross Canada, planned undertaking of this sort for a month long VIP visit by the Royal Family. The entre tour went smoothly. At the conclusion of the Royal visit, King George VI praised the work and dedication of the RCMP Escort Team. The King said to A/Comm'r Kemp: 'I can't recall a single incident which could, by the remotest stretch of imagination, be termed difficult or embarassing.' p.191

The gracious remarks of King George were a wonderful credit to the RCMP, to Assistant Commissioner Kemp and all the Officer's, NCO's and constables which comprised the Royal Escort.

Cst. J. C. Coughlin later Sergeant Coughlin must have been proud when he heard the compliments paid to the RCMP Royal Escort. I, too, am proud to have shared a wee bit of history with Sgt. Coughlin. I would  liked to have met him and to jaw about his experiences on the Royal Visit.

I didn't expect to be selected to dig Sgt. Coughlin's grave in 'Depot' in 1964. But,  today I can thank Cpl. Jessiman for choosing me.

'Maintain Our Memories'

J. J. Healy
Reg.#23685

Credits: Thanks to 'E' Div. Vet. Don Klancher for the story line and the photograph of the Royal couple and the RCMP Escort Team.

Kemp, Vernon A.M. Without Fear, Favour or Affection. 1958. Longman, Green and Company. Toronto.