True and Fascinating Canadian History
The Mystery of the Mountie
With Two Many Names
by J. J. Healy
Let 'The Mystery of the Mountie With Two Many Names be told.' But, how was it possible? How could this have happened?
Although the Mystery arose many, many years ago, it has been kept a secret. Upon reading the story, readers and the entire Force will likely feel compassion.
The story which follows is highly unusual; it's about a member of the Force who lived two lives; one very public and one very private. He was a regular yet engaged in a royal institution. He was a tad of both. Royals live generous long lives which are well documented and recorded, whereas our regular member's life was cut short. Today, his life is nearly obscure. The Mystery which follows is about an ordinary man with an extraordinary past -- like many other members of the Force, he too served Canada in WWI.
Here for the first time, the author, Patricia, a granddaughter, reveals a secret which has been long held within her family. It's the story of her grandfather, Reg.# 5646, Constable George Ledingham -- perhaps not so regular a guy but he certainly was among the ranks of the 'Royal' North West Mounted Police.
We'll allow Constable Ledingham's granddaughter Patricia to unravel the Mystery. Patricia began;
'...prior to my mother passing away, she spoke of her father, George Ledingham, as a man who was devoted to his wife and his four daughters. Unfortunately, Mum died a couple of years ago after a feisty battle with dementia. Her death left no one else to relate more details about my grandfather, the Mountie.
Mom recalled that her father was ahead of his time, for example, when it came to women's rights and human rights in general. He was a well respected man in his community. From his life story and from what my mother told us about him, the image that emerged was one of a strong, very principled, very decent man, with a streak of an adventurous rebellious spirit. Perhaps?
At the turn of the 1900's, Canadian life was a hard life. My grandfather was born and brought up on a Canadian farm. Like many Canadian boys his age, my grandfather too wanted to join the army. World War I was on the near horizon. Granddad ran away from home. He also ran away from his abusive father. Grandfather was the only one of his siblings who at 16 years decided to run away from a father who was apparently a very difficult man. Perhaps running away made grandfather a bit of a black sheep? Or, the rebel of the family? Anyway, he made his way to Vancouver, BC where he found work on a ship, the Terpsichore. Eventually, his ship rounded both Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.
In 1913, granddad joined the RNWMP in London, England and he returned to Regina, SK for training. I have a copy of his enlistment papers. After 'Depot', he was sent to Alberta, but I do not know the exact Detachments where he served. I do have a short story about him and it has swirlled within our family for years.
In the family story, granddad was working as a Mountie. Apparently, he disappeared into the bush in, I guess, northern Alberta. He was in pursuit of a criminal. Weeks later, he returned to town walking his horse, and with the criminal bound and locked into the saddle.
That's about all I know of the story. Grandfather doesn't seem like the kind of man who would have told stories about himself, so I don't know where it originated.
After granddad joined the RNWMP, he and my grandmother were willing to wait the X number of years which members of the RNWMP had to then wait to marry. But, when WW1 broke out, RNWMP marriage restriction were lifted. At that time, granddad was granted a 'Free Discharge' and he left the RNWMP to join the Imperial Reserves.
Once again, he was granted a 'Free Discharge' and he returned to England to 'rejoin colours', the Searforth Highlanders under the British Army. Granddad served in WWI plus seven or eight years with the British Army in India. He had previously met my mother in England. She was a hospital nurse.
Joe, I do have a photo or two of my grandfather as a young man, but unfortunately he is not in his RNWMP uniform, but rather he's with the Seaforth Highlander and dressed in his whites with his pith helmet in India. I did have the chance to know him and have surpisingly strong memories of him, despite the fact that I was only 5 when he died.
After my grandfather ran away from home, he really did not want to be found especially by his father. He did, however, keep in touch with his sister and and a brother. It's very sad, but he was forced to run away from all those whom he loved. He had been abused by his father. His father's conduct forced him not only to run away from home but also lead him to a life of secrecy -- a secret name.
My grandfather who engaged in the RNWMP as Reg.#5646, Constable George Ledingham was in truth George Kirby. His engagement papers for the RNWMP and his enlistment documents for the British Army show the name of an alias; George Ledingham. The name grandfather took as 'Ledingham' was actually the name of his parish priest. You will see that his entry giving his father's name was purposely written illegibly.
My granddad had been married twice, the first time under his alias. Now, he is buried next to my grandmother at the Hatley Memorial Gardens, 2050 Sooke Road, Victoria, BC'.
Here ends the final chapter in the life of Reg.#5646, Constable George Kirby of the RNWMP. On the one hand, his life is very, very sad. Not only did George Kirby leave an angry, abusive and explosive father, but as Patricia says, he also left behind his loved ones including his sisters and brothers. As much as he loved them, at sixteen years of age, he was alone.
On the other hand, his life illustrates the richness of his devotion to Canada. He joined the RNWMP in 1913 intending to serve within Canada's boundries. In 1914, he joined the British Army and served democracy far, far from Canada. For fear of his father, George Kirby lived a private life. His father knew not that his son had joined a Royal Club; the RNWMP. Nor did his father know that George served Canada abroad. Not a soul knew his true identity.' George Kirby was forced to live under the cloak of an alias.
Today, all RCMP Vets can say, 'Constable George Kirby truly is a 'Friend Not Forgotten.'
And Patricia added this,
'Dear Joe; If my information is not totally accurate; I would very much appreciate any clarification or additional information. I have since learned that my grandfather was in Service Court on two occasions; both for 'Negligence'. His having been in police court for 'negligence' is somewhat surprising, is there any way to know more about that?
Thank you very much for this RCMP graves initiative. I will find his enlistment papers and scan it for you.'
Patricia Bucciero,
Granddaughter to Reg.#5646, Constable George Kirby
**PS: Although George Kirby alias George Ledingham appeared in Service Court in 1913 and in 1914, there is no information on his Personnel File which explains the term 'Negligence'. His first appearance was at 'Depot' on 15/10/1913 before Inspector Knight. His second appearance was at Lethbridge, AB on 17/08/1914 before Inspector Lindsay.
George Kirby's fine was $1.00 on each count. I suspect that his internal discipline matters could not have been too serious. As a 'regular' he also enjoys being counted among others of us who have appeared before an RCMP Inspector in the 'Royal Courts.' If Constable Kirby were alive today, he'd likely say that Service Court was well worth the experience.
Appreciation for George Kirby's secret, story line and research by contributor Patricia Bucciero
To date, the final resting place of Reg.#5646, George Ledingham is not known.
From the Fort,
I have the honour to be, Sir
Your Obedient Servant
J. J. Healy
November 28, 2011
