True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: October 2010
Reg.#11079, RCMP Sergeant Samuel Wrigglesworth
Mr. Warren Wrigglesworth, St. Albert, Alberta is our contributor for Our Vet of the Month story. He is the son of Sgt. Samuel Wriggleworth.
RIP
It is a wonderful surprise for me to be asked by ‘Buffalo Joe’ Healy to write a short story about my Dad. My Dad was first and foremost an RCMP officer. He and my Mom may have been strict with me at times but I always respected and loved both of them.
Dad taught me important lessons about life and the fact that he was chosen as October, 2010 Vet of the Month is a special highlight to me. My father was Reg.#11079, Sgt. Samuel Wrigglesworth. He was born on January 9, 1905 and in 1929 he joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). He served in Nova Scotia and after ten years service, he married my Mom, Beatrice Maude Young. Their wedding reception was held at the famous Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax, NS.
I can recall many, many police stories about my father while he served in the Force. The Sheet Harbour Shooter is one story which was frightening to our whole family. One day, Dad responded to a call indicating that a guy in a rural farmhouse was acting ‘strangely’. He arrived at the farm and while he walked towards the house, a guy suddenly opened a second storey window, pointed a rifle at Dad, and said “I’m gonna kill ya!” Dad froze. He realized that he had no chance of using his side-arm, so he began a slow, calm dialogue with the guy.
One thing he said was: “You can shoot me, but if you do, be assured that every Mountie in the province will be coming after you! The talking which my Dad did must have worked. Eventually, the guy put down his rifle, walked out of the house and surrendered! Dad told my Mom later that he had never been so scared in his life!
When I was growing up, and even after Dad retired, Mom and Dad had only 2 books on our coffee table; The Holy Bible and The Criminal Code of Canada. Any problem I caused for my parents was always answered in those two authoritative books.
When I was sixteen, like many other boys my age, I began a little cigarette smoking. (Dad smoked, but Mom didn’t except occasionally on special occasions, Xmas, etc.) My buddies and I would pool our money and buy a weekly pack and hide it. We thought we were so cool and we had very thoroughly concealed this ‘crime’ from our parents!
I think it must have been my breath that triggered the following conversation one night after supper: Dad said: “I hear you’ve been smoking.” Me: (thinking how does he know?) “Well, yeah Dad, just a little...”Dad: OK, I want you fetch the Criminal Code and read Section XX, Article Z, para. X”. Me: “got it Dad” Dad: “Read it aloud”. This was, of course, the Juvenile Smoking Act, where I read aloud about the severe penalties and fines for those involved.
Dad said “Well?” I could only reply that smoking was indeed a serious offence and that I would quit! And I did!
My parents never spanked me, yelled at or humiliated me. I simply ‘knew’ that I didn’t want to betray the trust they had in me. I always seemed to know right from wrong, and made (mostly) correct decisions. From early childhood I recall being aware of my responsibility as the son of the Police Chief. I didn’t brag about his position in the community and I behaved properly. I always had lots of friends as a child, and now that I think about it, they remains my treasured friends.
My Mom and Dad welcomed alot of their Mountie friends into our home. I recall one of Dad’s special friends was RCMP Skipper Captain Henry Larsen. One day the Skipper paid us a visit in Sheet Harbour. He gave Mom and Dad a polar bear rug (with the head on)! I was just an infant and they took baby pictures of me on that rug. I still recall playing on that rug, with the huge head on it!
Dad had to learn how to fire the Colt 45 pistol when he went to Regina, SK for basic training. They used an indoor range. Apparently Dad’s first shot missed the target. Instead, it hit the door on the pot-bellied stove in the corner! The instructor was furious and he threw Dad out of the class. Over time, Dad then got extra help from his fellow recruits, and went on to highly qualify and to win his “Crossed Revolvers” patch.
In 1952 Dad retired from Truro Detachment. After retirement we moved to Edmonton, Alberta and he went into the home appliance business with his brother Sidney. Their store was called Beatty Home Appliances, and later it became Maytag Home Appliances. The store was so coveted that the Vice President of Maytag was present for their Grand Opening.
As a teenager, my summer employment was in the Service Department of the store. I repaired washing machines under a skilled technician. I loved working there and I was proud to visit customers with my mentor, “Dolf”. He taught me a lot about mechanics, lifting heavy things and to be polite with customers. I worked hard and learned the best methods of customer relations. The main office received many phone calls thanking them for the store’s excellent service. Without question, these compliments were a direct effect of Dad's influence on all store employees as well as on me.
Dad became a Mason and a Church Elder with McDougal United Church in Edmonton. Mom joined the Eastern Star and eventually became Worthy Grand Matron of the Eastern Star. They had to work hard all their lives but they were a happy couple.
As the years rolled by, my parents moved to Victoria, BC. My father died on September 24, 1971. His wish after death was that his ashes were to be scattered over the ocean and that’s what happened. My story about Dad is sort ofhis monument as well as my memories.
Well Joe, I think this is more than enough for you to digest! I have more recollections, and realize although Dad was my hero, enough talking! I will send pictures of Mom and Dad to you in a few days. Joe, this experience has been very cathartic for me, recalling memories of my family life! For two nights recently, it was hard for me to fall asleep, as I re-lived the wonderful events of my childhood.
Joe: Here are two photos; the one is my father leading a parade probably in Truro in the late 1940's. And above that one is the photo which was taken upon Dad's retirement from the Force in 1952. What great memories I have!
Thank you again for your superb efforts!
Sincerely,
Warren Wrigglesworth,
Alberta, Canada
And thanks to you also Warren! It's a wonderful story about your Mom & Dad.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
October 23, 2010
