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Community History

RCMP

2024 marks the 100th Anniversary of RCMP policing in STRATHMORE

Many of you will have noticed the display in honour of this milestone. Thank you to S. Sgt. Mark Wielgosz, RCMP liaison to the Branch 10 Executive for providing a history lesson.

How it all began ….

The Royal North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) was the forerunner of Canada's iconic Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Created after Confederation to police the frontier territories of the Canadian West, the NWMP ended the whiskey trade on the southern prairies and the violence that came with it. They helped the federal government suppress the North-West Resistance and brought order to the Klondike Gold Rush. The NWMP pioneered the enforcement of federal law in the West, and the Arctic, from 1873 until 1920.1

 

The North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) was modelled after the Royal Irish Constabulary. Macdonald initially called it the North-West Mounted Rifles but changed Rifles to Police to avoid arousing American suspicions. Reports from the West had stressed the symbolic importance of the traditional British army uniform among First Nations, so the NWMP adopted a scarlet tunic and blue trousers. Applicants had to be males between the ages of 18 and 40, of sound constitution and good character, able to read and write in either English or French, and ride a horse. The pay was 75 cents a day for sub-constables, and $1 for constables. Men from all walks of life applied, but many of those accepted had previous military or police experience.1

RNWMP policing was established in Strathmore with the first RNWMP member posted to Strathmore being Thomas H. IRVINE on or about July 1st, 1909, serving locally until September 2nd, 1911.  He had originally joined the RNWMP in Calgary on November 11, 1908, at 28 years old.  Prior to this he held military service form 1898 – 1905 in England; two years with the North York Artillery followed by 5 years with 21st Empress of India Lancers; Equitation Instructor. Alberta no doubt was a good fit for the young man. His posting to Strathmore was just the beginning of a successful career …

 EARLY DAYS - CORPORAL IRVINE 

Sergeant IRVINE was transferred and promoted as a Corporal to Gleichen then as a Sergeant in 1914.  From there he was moved to Calgary on April 1,1915 to become the registrar of “alien enemies” for the city and a 20-mile radius (32.186 km). Like many from this area, IRVINE joined the WW1 draft but before going transferred to Regina and was again promoted, this time to Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major entered draft on May 15, 1918, and was deployed to France following receiving permission for leave without pay from RNWMP.  He was commissioned as a Lieutenant and deployed to the 1st Canadian Tank Battalion. Lieutenant IRVINE was redeployed to reinforce the RNWMP contingent, likely as an experienced cavalry officer.  He returned to Canada and was discharged during the demobilization on March 15, 1919.

Lieutenant IRVINE re-engaged with the RNWMP as a commissioned officer at the rank of Inspector on

April 1, 1919. He was posted at Regina at Depot Division as the quartermaster.  In 1931 Inspector

IRVINE was transferred to Port Arthur to take over a special detachment in connection with “communistic troubles at the lakehead”.

1932 saw Inspector IRVINE transferred to the district of Mackenzie in the NWT and Western Artic in charge of G Division as the Acting Officer Commanding.  This represents the NWT between the British Columbia border, Yukon Territory and the Barren Lands on the East.

In 1933 IRVINE was again promoted, this time to Superintendent of G Division stationed in Ottawa. He was now responsible for inspecting all detachments in the Eastern Artic and managing all policing operations. 

Not bad for a guy from Alberta!

Stay tuned for the next edition of another short history of policing in Strathmore.  In the meantime, drop by the Branch to have a look at the display honouring our Police Service. **

Reference:1    Edward Butts  February 7, 2006 Edited:  July 7, 2023  Article - NORTH WEST MOUNTED POLICE    Canadian Encyclopedia     www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en

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