True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vets of the Month: January 2009
Reg. #4152, Constable Joseph Russell
& 0.145, Inspector Murray Henry Edward Hayne
and by Cpl. Pete Garvey, NCO i/c Chesterfield Inlet Detachment, Nunavut.
This is a tribute to two deceased members; Reg.#4152, Constable Joseph Russell and Reg.#869 & 0.145, Inspector Murray Henry Edward Hayne. They are buried side by side at Cape Fullerton, Nunavut and at the site of the original, now abandoned RCMP Detachment. Their story was brought to light by Corporal Keith Derksen of RCMP 'HQ' and his friend Cpl. Pete Garvey who is presently the NCO i/c Chesterfield Inlet Detachment, Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut. The background details for this tribute was researched by Veteran Jack White of Kamloops, BC.
Reg. #4152, Constable Joseph Russell
Historian Jack White recorded that on July 5, 1905, Cst. Joseph Russell asked Reg.#4173, Cst. Andrew Stothert to go canoeing at Cape Fullerton. The two members set out paddling among ice floes when, for some reason, Cst. Russell stood up, throwing both RCMP members into the frigid water.
Cst. Russell and Cst. Stothert were poor swimmers, but they began kicking to shore using paddles for buoyancy. At one point, some native boys on shore saw Cst. Russell sink, however, Cst. Stothert made it safely to shore. The body of Cst. Russell was found 3 hours later by Reg. #869, S/Sgt. M. E. H. Hayne who was In Charge of Fullerton Detachment.
A year later, S/Sgt. Hayne received his Commission and was promoted to Inspector -- his new Officer number was O.145.
But, Inspector Hayne's new rank was accompanied by a near unbelievable sad, sad twist in his career. Read on...
Reg. #869 / 0.145 Inspector Murray Henry Edward Hayne
The story of S/Sgt. Hayne began this way. On June 1, 1895, S/Sgt Hayne was among the first members of a small troop to enter the Yukon which was led by Officer O.79, Supt. Charles Constantine. The group patrolled from Regina, SK to Seattle and then via the steamer "Excelsior" to Juneau, Alaska arriving on June 26, 1895.
On July 1, 1895, the group departed Fort Cudahy with guides and seven packs of 800 pounds of supplies. The groups began to build and by November, they had established Fort Constantine which consisted of 9 buildings including one which was 75 feet (22 meters) in length.
In 1899, S/Sgt Hayne authored a book entitled 'Pioneers of the Klondike'. A year later, he found himself in the midst of the South African War and he was taken prisoner by the Boers.
Over the years, S/Sgt Hayne had served in several parts of Canada: 'F' Div., 'Depot', 'K', 'E', 'K', 'M' Div's and the South African War. When he returned to Canada, he was posted to 'F' Div. and eventually north again to 'G' Division.
Inspector Hayne died on April 18, 1906. He was 45 years of age. But, most regretfully, he received his Commission to Inspector on August 1, 1906 -- his promotion date was 106 days after he had died! S/Sgt. Hayne never knew that he had been promoted to Inspector -- because 'HQ' in Ottawa was unaware of his death due to the lack of regular and reliable communications!
Cst. Russell and Inspector Hayne are the only two members buried at Cape Fullerton, Nunavut.
We tip our Stetson to Constable Russell and Inspector Hayne.
Corporal Keith Derksen and Cpl. Pete Garvey collaborated together on the photographs. Cpl. Derksen said:
Joe; 'Here are a few photos taken by Cpl. Pete Garvey of Chesterfield Inlet. The photos were taken in the summer of 2008 at Cape Fullerton, Nunavut which was the original location of the RCMP Detachment. Cape Fullerton Detachment was opened in 1903 and closed in 1922 when the RCMP moved it to Chesterfield Inlet. One photo is of the original Cape Fullerton Detachment.
The remains of the original Cape Fullerton Detachment (photos below)
The graves of Inspector Hayne (left) and Cst. Russell (right). One of the grave stones had been broken, but the year before several other RCMP members were able to replace it with a new one.
Corporal Pete Garvey added: ' Joe, I was made aware of your website through Cpl. Derksen of Ottawa. He confirmed that you were provided copies of the photos of the grave site of Cst. J. Russell and Inspector M. H. E. Hayne.
**The headstone of M. H. E. Hayne has his rank identified incorrectly -- it shows his rank as S/Sgt but it should actually be Inspector. I will attempt to have this corrected this summer of 2009.
I sincerely thank each member who helped with this Memorial -- Vet Jack White, Cpl. Keith Derksen and Cpl. Pete Garvey. Thank you!
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
January 23, 2009
