True and Fascinating Canadian History
The Mystery of the Mountie
Who Forgot His Name
by J. J. Healy
It is widely accepted that men and women share many of life's common values. Love, for instance, comes to mind. At a certain age, most men and women decide to prioritize their personal values -- maybe to get married, maybe to remain single or some other combo. Essentially, some values get more credit and are thought to be more important in the ratings than others. Children first then perhaps a cruise around the world after retirement.
At the same time, down through history men and women have always been driven by ambition. Ambition in itself is good. Ambition under control of the self is healthy and to be expected. An appreciation and understanding of ambition as well as its fires can help to bring a person to success and fulfillment. After all, a measured degree of ambition sets one on a course to fulfill his or her dream -- in education; to become a great person of service and need within the community. The minister of God, nurse, doctor, firefighter, teacher, researcher, discoverer, poet, artist and the police officer all share healthy ambition to better function in their role within the community. We teach our children the value of ambition for the good sake of others.
No one person knows the true motives which drive a person's ambition. It may be greed, selfishness, jealousy, hate, money, power or recognition. Yet, in contract to a moderate ambition, a selfish ambition within the self and driven by hate leads to blindness and coldness towards the other. Every group, every occupation, every club, every political party, every religion has highly ambitious people within it. Ambition of this sort may overtake the self and demonstrate outwardly the true nature of the person -- that is hate. Ambition leads to destruction. Hate envelopes destruction which leads to death. Eventually.
Montague Henry White-Fraser was born in Inverness, Scotland in 1853. Prior to coming to Canada, he served as a bugler with the Carrington's Horse Regiment, Isadhlwana, Zululand. After he joined the Force, he wrote to the Prime Minister, Sir John a. MacDonald asking for a commission in the Force.
The promotion to the commissioned ranks was granted on May 1, 1874. At the outset, however, there was a mix up in his Regimental Number so he was given Regimental # 50 and an 'A' was tacked on. Then, his Regimental # was squeezed in among other numbers.
Montague Henry White-Fraser served in Alberta ('K'Div.) Saskatchewan ('F' Div.) and back to Alberta. In 1885, he was present for the start of the Riel Rebellion at Prince Albert, SK. Eventually, his job was no longer needed, so he retired with an annual allowence.
Around 1900, he was known to have resided in Kamloops, BC. It was at this time that he joined Canadian Mounted Rifles who served in South Africa. His wife was daughter to the Aide-de-Camp to the Govenor General, Sir Edmund Walker Head.
Years later, after returning to Canada from South Africa he lived Agassiz, BC. One day, he stabbed his guest in the shoulder at his home. He was taken into custody and he was committed to an asylum. Maybe Essondale, BC.
In the 'The Mystery of the Mountie Who Forgot His Name', I'd prefer to give our friend the benefit of the doubt. After providing a mere sketchy description of ambition, it would be unfair to apply it to our subject in this story. I'm not convinced that White-Fraser was ambitious while tryng to get ahead in the Force. I don't think his ambition necessarily affected others in a hurtful way. Instead, I believe that his mind was affected by war. Today, he may have been treated for mental illness. He likely was very, very sick.
Before White -Fraser died, he gave his wife, Elsie a nice, tall, decorative grave marker. But, White-Fraser died alone in Vancouver, BC at the age of seventy-three. He died in absolute poverty. He was very generous to his wife but he did not ensure to have his own name inscribed on the grave marker.
Seems Inspector White-Fraser forgot about his own name.
Sad, eh?
*I am very grateful to Ms Linda Shepherd of British Columbia for sharing some of her research with me for this story. The photo was also taken by Ms Linda Shepherd. As always, I am also indebted to our friend Vet. Jack White who recently passed away. Jack's historical research is always very helpful.
Thank you friends.
Reporting from the Fort,
J. J. Healy
Reg.#23685
