Tribute Paid To: Four NWMP Members

Early image of a North West Mounted Police (NWMP) officer.

On May 23, 2014, members of the Toronto Division of the RCMP Veterans’ Association and RCMP members of “O” Division had a re- dedication of four North Mounted Police members grave markers.

Several years ago, the NWMP member’s unmarked graves were located.  On the initiative of the Toronto Division members, an appropriate regimental grave marker was acquired and placed over the appropriate grave site in the St. James Cemetery. The members were:

Photograph of Corporal Henry Morphy (Source of photo – Toronto Division of the RCMP Veterans’ Association).

Corporal Harry MORPHY (Reg.# 2162) who died in an on duty boating mishap during a storm on Lake Winnipeg on September 8, 1890.

Morphy’s body was found a year later by Indians and buried on an island, but the body of the other NWMP members who drowned, Constable George de BEAUJEU (Reg. #2531), was found two months later and given a proper burial. The civilian captain, Matthew WATT, was found alive but died eight days later.

In 1891, when a “Mountie” patrol came through, the Indians showed them MORPHY’s grave and his family in Toronto arranged for him to be brought home. There’s a story in the Globe and Mail about his body being transported by horse and wagon from Union Station directly to the cemetery for burial.

Photograph of gravemark for Corporal Harry Morphy of the North West Mounted Police (Source of photo – RCMP National Gravesite database)

1878 – Photograph of Sergeant Major Joseph Francis (Reg. #7) of the North West Mounted Police (Source of photo – RCMP Historical Collections Unit – “Depot” Division)

Sergeant Major Joseph FRANCIS (Reg. #7)  one of the original 300 March West, who was found in a paupers grave at the cemetery. He was a member of the 13 Hussars who were in the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854 and joined the NWMP in 1874.

He served until 1880 and in 1881 died from smoke inhalation after rescuing a number of people from a burning building in Toronto. Check out a tribute to Joseph Francis here.

Photograph of the gravemarker for Sergeant Major Joseph Francis of the North West Mounted Police (Source of photo – RCMP National Gravesite Database)

Sergeant Major John BREADON (Reg. #320) joined at Fort Walsh on June 9, 1879 and given sick leave in 1889 for pleurisy.

He never recovered and passed away on Jan. 1, 1890. During his service was stationed at Fort McLeod, Battleford and Prince Albert.

Photograph of the gravemark for Sergeant Major John Breadon (Source of photo – RCMP National Gravesite database).

Photograph of Inspector Arthur Murray Jarvis of the North West Mounted Police (Source of image – RCMP Gravesite database)

Inspector Arthur Murray JARVIS (Reg. #418 – O.104) who joined in 1880 and served in the Riel Rebellion of 1885.

He also had three brothers serving with the NWMP.  Diagnosed with dementia and died in 1930.

Photograph of the grave marker for Inspector Arthur Murray Jarvis of the North West Mounted Police (Source of photo – RCMP National Gravesite database)

Photograph of RCMP Chaplin Gerry McMillan leading the memorial service for the four NWMP members (Source of photo – “O” Division Forensic Identification Section)

RCMP Chaplain Gerry McMillan conducted the dedication service. During the dedication service at the ceremony, members of the Veterans Association gave tributes to the officers and detailed their service.

Photograph of Veteran Jack O’Reilly providing a brief tribute story for each of the four NWMP members (Source of photo – “O” Division Forensic Identification Section)

Photograph of Assistant Commissioner Steve White and Staff Sergeant Major Rob Akin of “O” Division saluating the four graves of the NWMP members (Source of photo – “O” Division Forensic Identification Section).

The efforts of our colleagues in the Toronto Division to locate unmarked graves and take the necessary steps to place a grave marker is a shining example for other RCMP Veteran Divisions to follow.  In addition, these members also conduct annual inspections of all Force member grave sites in their geographical area.

The above article was submitted by Cal Millar who is a retired Toronto Star reporter and a supporter of the “O” Division – RCMP Veterans’ Association.