RCMP Veterans’ Association – Vancouver Division

    One of the many colourful and notable members of the early North West Mounted Police (NWMP) was that of James Morrow Walsh.  American newspapers would later describe him as “Sitting Bull’s Boss.”         EARLY LIFE James Morrow Walsh was born on April 22, 1841 at Prescott Ontario.  He was the […]

      For this week, Ric Hall has selected the photograph theme of “Frederick Augustus Bagley – Reg. #247.”           Frederick Augustus Bagley was born September 22, 1858 on the island of St. Lucia in the British West Indies.  At the age of 10, he came to Canada with his […]

    Veterans Tom Quilley and Dick Hawkshaw forwarded an internet link to an amazing account of the early years of the Force. Noted historical account was told by Frederick Bagley who joined the North-West Mounted Police at the age of 15 years old and was one of the original 300 members who participated in […]

        Fred Bagley’s musical talents and leadership provided a major contribution to the Force and to the communities he served in.               With regarding setting records, he was first in the  following areas: a) being the youngest member to be sworn into the Force; b) first […]

    With previous British military experience, John Bray was drawn to the ranks of this newly formed para-military group for a sense of adventure in the Canadian North-West Territories. The details below outline his contributions to the development of the Western Canada.         John Henry Gresham Bray was born on January […]

  One of the earliest symbols of bravery and inspiration to the early NWMP members was that of a 5’10” tall older man named Joseph Francis. For reasons only known to himself, his actual name was Joseph Lane.  He emigrated from England to Canada under the fictitious name of Joseph Francis (Canadian Passenger Lists, 1865-1935 […]

  He achieved many milestones while in the Force: a) involved in the original design of the Force organization; b) one of the first Force Recruiters; c) first members sworn into the Force and given Regiment # 1; d) first Regimental Sgt. Major; and e) had the Force’s first munity under his command.     […]