Unique Donation To The “E” Division Officer’s Mess

Prior to his recent retirement, Supt Wayne Sutherland (O.1988), approached me, unsure what to do with a unique piece of our history.

Wayne had met Helen Eadie and Susan Heffernan through his involvement in the figure skating community in British Columbia and they had turned over to him a sword belonging to their grandfather, John Heffernan, a member of the North West Mounted Police. Graciously, Wayne has donated this sword for display in the E Division Officer’s Mess.

John Herbert Heffernan (Reg 2495 / O.125) joined the North West Mounted Police in 1890 and was commissioned in 1901.

According to John Hawkes’ Saskatchewan and its People – Vol III, John Heffernan was born in Portsmouth, England in 1868 . His father was the late Sir John Harold Heffernan, K.C.B., an admiral in his Majesty’s Navy.

John H. Heffernan was the fourth child in the family and came to the United States in 1884, at the age of sixteen. Looking for adventure, he moved to the North West Territories in 1889 and joined the North West Mounted Police. He served with the Force for twenty-four years, rising to the rank of Senior Inspector.

1902 – Photograph of Inspector Heffernan with NCOs and Constables staff of the Regina District Headquarters (Source of photo – S/M Dave Hall).

Prohibition was in force throughout the territories when Inspector Heffernan fist joined the NWMP.   Amongst their duties was the task of pursuing rum “runners and bootleggers,” and horse thieves. In the winter of 1903 and 1904, Inspector Heffernan undertook a patrol to the far north with a dog team, going a thousand miles north of Prince Albert to bring back a local who was causing considerable disturbance in that region.

Photograph of the NWMP sword of Inspector John Heffernan (Source of photo – S/M Dave Hall).

In those days, officers would have been expected to purchase their own swords. This particular sword is an 1896 pattern Officer’s Cavalry Sword and predates the current style carried by cavalry officers in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Considering its age, the sword is in fantastic condition with only very minor discoloration on the tip of the blade and came with both the leather and nickel scabbards. The blade of the sword is engraved with the royal cypher of Queen Victoria.

Inspector Heffernan served with the Force until 1915, when he left to become the police magistrate in Regina. Inspector Heffernan passed away in 1934. The RCMP provided a full military funeral service. The pall bearers included future Commissioner S. T. Wood. Inspector Heffernan in buried in the cemetery at Depot Division.

This sword will be proudly displayed in the Officer’s Mess at E Division Headquarters. Given the age and condition, it is an honour that this piece of our history has returned to the Force.

Photograph of the NWMP officer sword of John Heffernan (Source of photo – S/M Dave Hall).

Photograph of Inspector John Heffernan’s grave marker at the “Depot” Division cemetery (Source of photo – RCMP Gravesite database).