True and Fascinating Canadian History
The Mystery of the Mountie
Who Died at 'Depot'
by J. J. Healy
Some tragic incidents in one's long past police career cannot be forgotten or tucked aside. They were too tramatic to forget. They resemble miniature pains which linger in far, far off recesses of one's mind as though they are black clouds which high winds could not easily blow away.
The Mystery of the Mountie Who Died at 'Depot' is the story of tragedy which happened nearly forty-nine years ago. It affected 'G' Troop and many other members in a very sad way and it remains with many of us today. There may also be a lesson in the story for all of us.
Our Troop had commenced training at 'Depot' in mid August 1964. I can recall that we were a close Troop of 32 young Canadian men. No cliques or splinter groups formed within our Troop and I recall little or no bickering -- it was too busy much of the time.
Every day was a vicious, whirlwind cycle of physical activities; stables, Foot Drill, stables, PT, stables, Firearms, Driver Training, stables, Swimming, Foot Drill and stables. It seemed that the syllabus did not vary day after day. The Instructors, with very rare exception, were a tough bunch but fair. Sure, there was some colourful vocabulary, but we had all heard it before and we expected it. Afterall, 'Depot' activities resembled little of a ballet school. Everyone in the Troop suffered a few bad days but these chills made the whole experience memorable and the months buzzed by. It was a [mostly] million dollar experience provided free on behalf of generous Canadians.
Early in the first week, I had been chosen by the Troop as the Right Marker. The job entailed some motivation to get the Troop to classes on time and to care for the administration of the Troop. It was an honour to fulfill the Right Marker position but it took the efforts of everyone to make the Troop hum. As a group, we seemed to jam together quickly. Another Troopmate, Brian Carline acted as our Right Marker whenever I was absent. Like me, Brian had also had some previous Canadian Cadet training in high school and he was familiar with discipline, marching, etc. Brian did not realize that he would be eventually asked to perform a very, unique task in the line of duty. New Year's 1965 came and went. Naturally more stables.
'Depot' was very, very busy in those days. There was an ebb and flow to the place -- new incoming Troops were forever arriving and replacing Troops which graduated. Whereas fifteen Troops were ahead of 'G' Troop when we arrived at 'Depot' in August 1964 by February, 1965 our Troop had gained significant seniority.
And it was mid March 1965, that our Troop was assigned to act as 'Big Brothers' to a junior, newly arrived Troop. It was custom that recruits senior looked after recruits junior. Little did anyone realize that a very tragic, almost unexplainable event would soon cause a death among our new arrivals at 'Depot' Division.
There were forever extra duties to be performed every evening after supper. Recruits were assigned to various posts around 'Depot' which required ongoing cleaning. The gym and pool were two busy spots. It was also the rule that an Instructor be present, after regular hours, at certain locations at 'Depot' in the event of fire, a sick horse or a serious accident.
On this particular sad night, Corporal Ron Lawford was on Supervisory Duty in the pool. Ken Kornelson, a member of our 'Little Brother' Troop was swimming in the pool when he was noticed motionless under water. Corporal Lawford dove in and was able to bring Ken up topside of the pool. Ken died and it was believed that he might have touched an underwater faulty light fixture and was electrocuted. The pool was immediately closed and it remained off limits for several months afterwards. By his bravery and quick decisive response, I have never forgotten Reg.#18746, then Corporal R. H. 'Ron' Lawford.
Ken's death left its imprint on my mind. Not only was he a member of our Junior Troop, but he and I had also become friends. Ken was one of the few in his Troop to own a car -- a long, heavy, black thing much like the Pontiacs or Chryslers of the day. He was generous to me with his car whenever I needed it to run errands downtown Regina or go to Mass on Sundays. His generosity brought he and I closer together and I have never forgotten his good will.
No one saw Ken after the accident in the pool. It was unusually quiet around 'Depot' for awhile. Ken was returned home. Our Troopmate, Brian Carline was chosen to don his Red Serge and to escort Ken's body by rail from Regina back to his parent's home in Mission, BC. Later, his Troopmates mounted a brass Plaque of Remembrance for him in the Chapel. It remains there today.
The fact that Ken inexplicably and accidently died in the pool was a sad event in everyone's life at 'Depot'. He may have left us a reminder about life; its uncertain path, its true purpose of looking after one another and close friendships. Down through all these years, I have often thought of him -- yet, I never truly thanked him -- and I never got to say good-bye. I pause to reflect on how suddenly a life can be taken away. Death is but an instant minus. I am reminded of Ken's friendship and his canoe length car whenever I visit the Chapel at 'Depot'. His bronze plaque on the Chapel wall acts a reminder about the fagility of all our lives and the unexpected arrival of death.
Ken Kornelson's death in the pool is a two pronged Mystery -- first, it was never meant to happen. Ken died before he had a real chance to practice all his dreams of becoming a full and active police officer in the field. He was a good recruit and he would have made a great mentor to many others who had intended to join the Force. After 'Depot', I would like to have teamed up with him in the field.
Ken's name was never added to the RCMP's Honour Roll. It's another mystery. No one seems to know the reason for this oversight but the absence of his name from the Honour Roll does seems unusual. Afterall, he died on duty at 'Depot's pool.
Retired Sergeant Jim Simpson and other Troopmates, I am sure, feel it would be significant and meaningful if Ken's name could be added on the Honour Roll in time for a special service of his life in 2015 -- the date will mark the fiftieth Anniversary of his death which unexpectedly and mysteriously happened in the 'Depot' Swimming Pool.
'Junior Ken' in our 'Junior Troop' will long be remembered. The end.
'Maintain Our Memories'
From the Fort,
I have the honour to be, Sir
Your Obedient Servant
J. J. Healy
