True and Fascinating Canadian History
The Mystery of the Mountie
Who Forgot His Mother
by J. J. Healy
By far, a greater percentage of unspoken Canadians realize that the RCMP has no more bad apples within its ranks than any other organization of comparable size. In this 140th Anniversary Year of the RCMP, the Force employs in excess of 24,000 men and women in wide diverse areas of law enforcement but Canadians hear very dear little about the reliable work which the vast majority of these people do every day.
The good reputation of the RCMP was built by its members over many, many years of determination, dedication and loss of life. Hundreds of lives were sacrificed by the RCMP in world wars and the RCMP's Honour Roll lists two hundred and thirty one names of deceased members who were killed on duty within Canadian boundaries.
Beginning with the approximate 300 members on the March West in 1873, the modern RCMP has been subject to unprecedented growth as well as a challenging mandate which covers policing at the municipal, provincial, federal and international levels. No other police organization in the world but the RCMP has such a complex responsibility. And yet the job of law enforcement continues by the RCMP in spite of rapid societal changes and criticism from the media. Within a democratic framework, the RCMP is expected to withstand public scrutiny, but fortunately since its inception, members of the Force have always risen to challenges of the occasion. Well, most members.
Once upon a time, about one hundred years ago, there was a partial bad apple in the Force. He was both good and bad. He was a good apple yet bruised in parts. The good and the bad of this particular member will become quite apparent in 'The Mystery of the Mountie Who Forgot His Mother.' In spite of all the pain he handed his mother, perhaps Constable David Roulson left us a little reminder about priorities in our own lives.
A mother’s heart is the original landing site of love. Sure, medical science discovered the heart’s four chambers but, long before science, devotion was infused into every mother's heart and the condition was labelled love. It’s because love resides in a mother's heart, that mothers have always had an unlimited supply of love for their children. And let’s just suppose that mothers share a wee extra amount of love for their sons – especially for little boys who eventually go to war or grow into police officers.
A little bird and a little boy share common needs as well as anxieties. The little bird feels safe in its nest and the little boy feels protected in his mother’s arms. The little bird depends on someone for food and water and the little boy relies on his mother for nourishment. Eventually the little bird wants to escape its confinement and it yearns to fly to the top of mountains. The little boy grows in restlessness and counts the years until he can walk into the world confidently and without being escorted by his mother.
The day arrives when the little bird is pushed from its nest. The little boy achieves adulthood and he too is pressed to invent his own life and to accept the responsibilities of an adult. After its first flight, the little bird returns to the family nest for subsistence and the young man...well ... well, here’s the problem. Even though every little boy becomes a man, and some men become members of the Force, not every male member of the RCMP remains in touch with his mother... hence, 'The Mystery of the Mountie Who Forgot His Mother'. Oh, one can shout that a man performed great deeds in life, but it's tough to make the argument stick if at the same time he forgot all about his mother.
David Roulston was born in Ireland about 1878. He immigrated to Canada with his mother and took employment as a labourer in Toronto, Ontario. In 1902, he joined the North West Mounted Police and, after learning the manners of horses at ‘Depot’, Reg.# 3893, Constable Roulston was posted to Dawson City in Canada’s northland. About that time, gold had been discovered in the North and there was a need for young men in the NWMP especially if he was dependable and he showed no fear.
During the time that he was employed with the NWMP, Constable Roulston frequently sent money to his mother in Toronto. It was intended for her, but Mrs Roulson deposited the money and saved it for David's return. According to records, Constable Roulston served very satisfactorly in the NWMP, but it would become quite apparent later in years that he did not remain in contact with his mother after his discharge from the NWMP. Constable Roulston was honourably discharged after a five year stint and his trail as a civilian took him to Seattle, Washington in search of new adventures.
After living in Seattle a few years, David Roulston returned to Canada and he worked in Elko, a small town in south eastern British Columbia. Then he moved back to to his familiar roots in the Canadian Yukon. Throughout this period of time, Mrs Roulston had lost contact with her son David primarily because he did not stay in touch with her.
According to his WWI Attestation Papers, David Roulston joined the Yukon Machine Gun Section in March, 1915. Shortly afterwards, he was sent with his Unit to France. All the while that he was overseas, Mrs Roulston heard nothing. Mrs Roulston must have thought that David’s prolonged absence was a concern so she reported him missing to the police. The police had no luck finding him and after some years had passed by, David Roulston was officially declared legally dead by the courts. It was not the only pain to be absorbed by Mrs Roulston's heart.
During the time period of WWI, the sadness that Mrs Roulston suffered by the unexplicable loss of David Roulston was one thing, but she received additional sad news with the death of her second son in Toronto after he fell from a horse. At the time, Mrs Roulston was eighty-three years of age.
It was timely that in June 1917, Mrs Roulston received some unexpected yet good news. And the news came by way of a news report in the Toronto World. The newspaper reported that David Roulston had been awarded the WWI Medal of Bravery while serving with the Yukon Machine Gun Section in France. After missing for many, many years, and at the age of 41 years, David Roulston was very much alive in France and fighting overseas for Canada. Upon his return to Canada from France, Mrs Roulston saw her son David before she passed away.
The story of Constable Roulston may be a little reminder for all of us. Constable Rolston's forgetfulness caused his mother's heart endless pain which was deepened by the unexpected and accidental death of her second son. It's been said that a mother is tormented by the loss of a child and this is because children essentially are her own flesh and blood. Part of a mother dies with her child. So, one can imagine Mrs Roulston's condition of emptiness and despair when both of her boys were lost.
Yet, one cannot be too harsh towards Constable Roulston. Communications in the early 1900's were not the same as today. One can insist that he could have been more thoughtful and creative by sending Mrs Roulston a letter, but no one knows the full story of his life. Over the years, he might have been weakened by life's roughness.
One can be sure that he was forgiven by Mrs Roulston. Her love, like all mother's love operates at full speed. Non-stop. Yet, it would have been interesting to sit in the Roulston parlor and listen to Constable Roulston's tale of his missing years. He may have had a hard time convincing his mother that over the years he had no way to assure her of his continued existence.
And today, Reg,#3893, Constable David Roulston has gone missing again. His final resting place was unknown until Ms Linda Crump recently researched the VAncouver BC Birth and Death Records. Ms Crump uncovered how and when David Roulston died.
The following note about David Roulston was received from Friend of the Force, Ms Linda Crump, Lethbridge, AB on November 16, 2013
Hi Joe; I checked for a Birth Record and found that a David Hamilton Roulston was born 8 Aug 1876 in Tyrone, Ireland to William Roulston & Mary Hamilton. He could well be your man.
I also found a Death Record for Mr Roulston. There was a David Roulston who was born 8 Aug. 1876 in Ireland and died 5 July 1961 in Vancouver B.C. listed in the B.C. Death Registrations.
His Death Record indicates he was a DOA at the Vancouver General Hospital on July 5, 1961 from a heart attack or such. There is nothing known of his family or about him in general other than his birth date and that he was born Ireland, likely taken from personal papers. He lived at 1795 West 12th. Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
The Birth Record on David’s Attestation Paper was out two years but I am positive he is your Roulston after reading his birth record. It’s not unusual for dates to be off on old records.
Mr Roulston was cremated and buried in the Ocean View Crematorium at 55 E. 10th., Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Regards, Linda Shephard
Finally, this Broadcast to all Cadets. In today's world of instant communications, a member could hardly be forgiven if Mom was forgotten. If you do forget her, you will receive little consolation from the courts, the Commissioner or the Corps Sergeant Major.
Reporting from the Fort,
J. J. Healy
September 15, 2013
