RCMP had every right to a presence at Vimy
Re: “No place for Mounties at Vimy ceremonies,” letter, April 20.
Contrary to the writer’s opinion, and despite the obvious fact that the RCMP in their red serge are an internationally known symbol of Canada, there is a very strong argument for the RCMP to be represented at the Vimy Memorial ceremonies.
For one thing, the celebration at Vimy should not be insulated from other Canadian involvement in the First World War, but rather a representation of all Canadian service in all campaigns and on all battlefields during that war. The symbolism of this memorial ceremony is bigger than just our prominent role at Vimy, and should serve as a remembrance of all Canadian war sacrifice, as there are not memorial celebrations at every battle site Canadians were involved in.
It is an often forgotten fact that from September 1914 to Nov. 11, 1918, members left the force and joined various Canadian Expeditionary Force battalions, regiments and other units.
In 1914 and 1915, the commissioner of the day, Bowen Perry, allowed many members to leave the force with a “free discharge” to rejoin the British regiments from their homes in the United Kingdom. One such member was Const. Michael O’Leary, who received a free discharge from the force when he was recalled to Cork, Ireland, for the mobilization of his Irish Guards Regiment. O’Leary went on to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
In 1918, the Canadian government approved the creation of a cavalry draft in the Royal North West Mounted Police, authorizing two cavalry squadrons for the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
“A” Squadron-RNWMP saw action in France and Belgium, serving as dispatch riders, performing with distinction at the battle of Mons in 1918. A second squadron was raised for service in Siberia as a result of the Russian Revolution. “B” SquadronRNWMP was transferred to the Canadian Expeditionary Force for deployment to Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force.
I’m aware of these facts because my grandfather went to Regina in 1918, lied about his age to enlist and served for two years in B Squadron with the CEF in Siberia as a 15-year-old RNWMP constable. He later went on to serve as a police officer for 49 years, including 37 years with the RCMP and 12 years as Edmonton’s chief of police.
My father and I believe that the RCMP had every right to be in attendance at the Vimy memorial, as they were well represented in many campaigns and on many fronts during the First World War.