Historical Reflections

This past summer, I was out and about thrift store shopping. I was on the hunt for toy dinosaurs – larger size, not the 2-inch variety – as to turn a flower bed into a dinosaur habitant in my daughter’s back yard. Finding a few good specimens to purchase, I took a walk around the store to see what other treasures might catch my attention. As it turned out, that day I found a wall plaque that certainly did catch my eye. It was a RCMP centennial crest wall hanging. Heavy for its size, looked like wood but probably fashioned of some resin composite – carved or stamped with provincial crests within a 13-inch circumference. I had to buy it! I have a small connection with the RCMP with my nephew a more recent 3-year member and my uncle, a retired, long serving, highly regarded member. The 1873-1973 centennial commemorative plaque brought back memories of my high school history class where I remember learning of the 100-year history of the force. This lovely wall hanging celebrated this centennial and this year (2023) is the 150th anniversary of the RCMP – leaving no question my treasure was 50 years old. 

A flood of RCMP trivia came back to me. Does anyone else remember the Charles Dickens connection? Frances Jeffery Dickens (son of Charles) was one of the first officers of the NWMP in 1874. Frances’s arrival to Canada closely followed the “march west” which brought the original 300 NWMP members to SK and AB. Frances Dickens served at Fort Walsh, Fort Macleod and Fort Pitt. By 1880 he was promoted to Inspector. Awaiting a pension in 1886 – at the age of 42 – he died of a heart attack in Moline, Illinois while on a lecture tour. I have many memories of telling the story of the “Red Coat Trail” during my eight years working in visitor services. Some paper maps refer to a highway route as such. The question always came up with many travelers, “What does the Red Coat Trail mean?” The outstanding nature  of the RCMP’s red surge uniforms is obviously why the 1300 km historic land trail was named. The 1874 march west from Winnipeg (Fort Dufferin) to Lethbridge (Fort Whoop-Up) is south of what is now the Trans Canada Highway. Being on this route, it’s no surprise Medicine Hat has a Royal NWMP monument, situated near the third tee of the MH golf and country club. Just a stone cairn remains of the former NWMP barracks. From 1883 to 1893, there were 13 buildings which housed 25 members and their horses.  The river crossing included a ferry landing in the area of what is now Police Point Park. Another obvious naming of a significant historical location. Most Canadians know Regina, SK is the sole training academy for RCMP recruits and the prestigious heritage center, dedicated to sharing the stories of our national police force. It is only fitting my thrift shop find made its way back to Regina. My aunt and uncle from Regina visited Medicine Hat last month – my same uncle who spent his whole career in the RCMP. I showed them the commemorative plaque I purchased months before. He recounted being on duty during the 1973 centennial celebrations in Regina -- standing guard while Queen Elizabeth’s entourage drove from Hotel Saskatchewan to the RCMP Depot for the celebration. I am thrilled my unusual artifact allowed us to remember such interesting stories. I am glad my family took it back to Regina where it belongs.