True and Fascinating Canadian History
Catholic Cemetery. Parkdale, PEI.
RCMP Graves PEI
By Dave Holmes. Vets PEI.
In 1997, 'L' Division RCMP approached the PEI Vets of the RCMP Veterans' Association to take over the RCMP grave inspections in the province and to bill 'L' Division for their time and mileage.
PEI Division Vets readily jumped at the chance to help reduce the work load of the RCMP detachments.
The first inspections were completed in the fall of 1997 with a report submitted to 'L' Division HQ outlining the list of graves inspected and which ones needed cleaning up or restoration work.
A photograph was taken of each grave, with a copy submitted with the annual report. Since that time, PEI Vets have continued with the annual inspections and kept an up to date list of grave sites of recently departed members.
In 2006, we updated our photograph record of the graves which is proof what work needs to be done to which graves. It should be noted that we found the grey regimental head stones were not fairing well as they became blackened with age and the lettering was fading.
The Vets cleaned up what headstones they could with vinegar and water but the problem with the lettering was referred on to a Headstone /Company who does headstone repairs for Veterans Affairs. 'L' Division will be billed for the costs.
In 2000, Vet Jack White of Kamloops Div. reviewed our list of deceased and found 10 more members who died on PEI but no record of where they were buried.
Of late, we notice that more members are being cremated with the ashes being retained by widow or distributed on a river as was the case of Chester Gilliatt. Widows of Donald Smith and Joseph Martin are still in possession of their ashes.
PEI Division is committed to maintaining these inspections annually and to ensure they are properly cared for.
St. James Cemetery. Georgetown, PEI.
Reg.#3501 NWMP Constable James Henry Blackett
by Richard MacAulay
RCMP Vets PEI.
Introduction
James Henry Blackett, and originally from Souris PEI, engaged in the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) on March 20, 1900 at Charlottetown, PEI.
Archived documents showed that Constable Blackett served in the Force for one year and one day -- from March 20, 1900 to March 20, 1901.
On March 20, 1901 it was recommended that Constable Blackett be Medically Discharged from the NWMP due to his medical condition.
Upon his discharge from the NWMP, Constable Blackett said he intended to return to Souris East, PEI. While living in Souris, he got married and the Blackett couple had two sons and one daughter.
Search for Constable Blackett's grave
Approximately four years ago (2012) it came to the attention of PEI Vets that Cst. Blackett might possibly be buried in the Souris, PEI area. The search began for his gravesite. The local Funeral Director, Mr. Gary Dingwell, was contacted for research assistance. Gary could recall that his father had told him years ago that he had once buried a North West Mounted Policeman.
Mr. Dingwell suggested that Constable Blackett would likely have been buried in the Annadale area. I searched the graveyards from Annadale to East Point, PEI to no avail. Archive searches were conducted online, and the PEI Public Archives were checked but no solid leads resulted.
During an online obituary search of The Guardian Newspaper, it was discovered that Cst. Blacketts’ wife died on August 3, 1931 and she was later buried in St. Albans Anglican Cemetery, in Souris, PEI.
Then in consultation with Mr. Dingwell, it was discovered that Cst. Blackett was buried in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Souris, PEI on November 28, 1933.
Constable Blackett's death (on November 26, 1933) and his burial (on November 28, 1933) and his gravesite location were also confirmed by Fr. Jim Willick, Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, Souris, PEI.
The grave location took some time to find due to the fact that Cst. Blackett did not have enough service to qualify for an RCMP grave marker and there was no private marker as well.
Since Constable Blackett did not have a grave marker, the RCMP Veterans Association, PEI Division purchased a grave marker.
Constable Blackett's Service Record, Medical Examination, Oath Of Allegiance, Engagement Document, Medical History Sheet, Medical Board Recommendation that he be invalidated, Discharge Form No. 84a and other related Forms/Information (38 documents) can be found online.
Constable Blackett's Memorial Service & photos
The RCMP Veterans Association, PEI Division held a Rededication Ceremony for Constable Blackett at his gravesite on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 2:00PM.
The Ceremony was attended by RCMP “L” Division members, RCMP Veterans and the public. Cst. Blackett now has the appropriate recognition from his RCMP family.
The Memorial Ceremony was attended by an Eastern Graphic (a local PEI newspaper) reporter and her article of 1 June 2016 can be found on-line.
A collection of photographs which were taken at Constable Blackett's Memorial Service and provided courtesy of PEI Vet Richard macAulay are displayed below.
St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Souris, PEI
Saturday, May 28, 2016
