True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: August 2010
Reg.#7700, Staff Sergeant William George Morley
William George Morley was born in London, England about 1900. Eventually he found his way to Canada as part of the British Home Children.
After arriving in Canada, William grew up in the Hamilton, ON., area and he lived with a distant relative. Throughout his teenage years, he trained to be an electrician.
William Morley joined the Royal Northwest Mounted Police (RNWMP) at Hamilton, ON on May 19, 1919 and he was immediately sent for Basic Recruit Training at ‘Depot’ Division at Regina, SK. On October 1, 1919, he was transferred to 'D' Division (Manitoba) and his first posting was to at Brandon. Over the years, William Morley spent his career in various policing roles throughout ‘D’ Division and it's the province in which he received each of his promotions.
William Morley was promoted to Corporal on August 1, 1930, to Sergeant on September 1, 1940 and to Staff Sergeant on May 1, 1948. Each promotion was well deserved.
Throughout his career, William Morley experienced some special and very memorable highlights. He was chosen as a member of the Coronation Contingent to England in 1937. Not everyone had this opportunity and William savoured the memories all his life.
And again, William had a significant role during the 1939 Royal Tour as he was the man In-Charge of the 'B' Squad Motorcycle Royal Escort Detail from May 17 to June 7 and from June 12 to June 15, 1939.
William Morley received the Coronation Medal on May 14, 1937. On March 1, 1940, he was awarded the RCMP Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Staff Sergeant Morley retired on July 18th, 1949 having completed thirty years of service with the RNWMP and the RCMP.
Dad didn't talk a lot about being buried. It seemed that he didn't want to ‘burden’ us children with having to go back and take care of his gravesite. William Morley passed away on January 5th, 1982.
RIP
We followed Mom and Dad's final wishes and their ashes were scattered near his last RCMP posting in Manitoba. In my heart, William Morley was a great man and a wonderful father. When he retired, I was three years old.
Staff Sergeant William Morley was my Dad.
Sincerely, Judy
In this month of August, 2010, we take time to tip our Stetson to S/Sgt. William George Morley. Thank you kindly Judy for providing us with these memories of your father.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
August 23, 2010
