Latest Discovery: C/S/M Tim Griffin

Most recently, RCMP Veteran Ric Hall received a bundle of photograph, documents and newspaper clipping belowing to the late and great Corps Sergeant Major Tim Griffin.

Ric has provided some of the details below for the viewing enjoyment of others.

While coordinating many RCMP Musical Ride demonstrations in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s, Tim Griffin was front and center.  Throughout his career and in retirement, he continually demonstrated his superior horsemanship both to members of the Force and to the general public.

Photograph of a newspaper article illustrating RCMP S/Major Tim Griffin demonstrating his horsemanship skills with his horse. (Source of photo – Tim Griffin Collection)

The RCMP Musical Ride was extremely popular at the many horse shows.  As in the past and currently, the events were advertised in the newspapers.

1930s – Photgraph of a newspaper advertising a forthcoming RCMP Musical Ride demonstration. (Source of image – Tim Griffin Collection)

Needless to say, many people fell in love with the RCMP Musical Ride.  In October 1936, the RCMP Musical Ride and S/Major Tim Griffin performed at the horse show in Omaha Nebraska.  Shortly thereafter, an article appeared in the local newspaper and it is include below:

October 1936 – Copy of a Evening World Herald newspaper article about the RCMP Musical Ride members (Source Tim Griffin collection)

The following is another photograph of S/Major Tim Griffin as he leads members of the ride.

Late 1930s – Photograph of S/Major Tim Griffin leading members of the RCMP Musical Ride. Location is believed to be at “Depot” Division in Regina. (Source of photo – Tim Griffin Collection)

Prior to retiring from the Force, Tim Griffin assisted as a Force expert in the making of the “North-West Mounted Police” movie and was listed in the movie credits. Watch the opening clip of the movie

1940 – Photograph of Actor Preston Foster (who played Sergeant Jim Britt in the North-West Mounted Police movie) and C/S/M Tim Griffin (Source of photo – RCMP Historical Collections Unit – “Depot” Division)

He retired and lived in Surrey British Columbia.  In retirement, he assisted in the training of horse and was described as “magical man with horses.”  asked

For the majority of his service in the Force, he was stationed at Rockcliffe and Depot Division.    During World War I, Tim joined “A” Squadron RNWMP and traveled to the Western Front – holding the military rank of Sergeant Major.  After the war, he returned to his duties as the Sergeant Major at “Depot” Division in Regina.

He remained in the Force until his retirement on August 11, 1941.  After leaving the Force, he moved to Surrey, B.C. where he died on April 9, 1977.

He was buried in the Force Cemetery at Depot Division –  BLK B ROW 8 PLT 256.