True and Fascinating Canadian History
St. James Presbyterian Cemetery. Beersville, NB.
RCMP Graves New Brunswick
by Danny McNeill. Vets NB
(Left) In Memory of Reg.#32682, Constable Ardene Bosse. Killed: Airplane accident. Grand Lake, NB. August 8, 1976. Buried: Chipman, NB
Introduction: I met with the Executive of the New Brunswick District Veterans Association and the Executive fully welcomed your request and they felt that the more interest in the Program the better for everybody.
History: I took over the Program from Dale Lively who started it in ‘J’ Division in 1996. I have all the original files -- each file contains an ‘obit’ sheet on each deceased member and most of the sheets also have a photo of the gravesite/headstone. I keep all the files on a Lotus program.
Vet Volunteers: The NB Vets have an annual contract with the CO ‘J’ Div. to complete the gravesite inspections in NB. I have 21 Vet Inspectors scattered throughout NB. Most vets do our inspections for gratis.
Repair Policy for Graves: All costs for repairs to grave stones or gravesites come from a separate account. I also coordinate all expenses related to repairs to graves and I submit accounts to the Admin Office Atlantic Region for payment.
For minor repairs (under $100.) i.e. new lettering or fixing a sunken flat stone or a cracked headstone repairs are arranged by the local Inspector and the paid or unpaid invoice is submitted to me. The Admin Office Atlantic Region sends the cheque to the Inspector who pays the invoice.
All estimates for major repairs (over $100.) must be reported to me and I must get prior permission from the Admin. Office Atlantic Region. No repairs are to be done until permission for the work is received from the Force. Once I have permission, I alert the Inspector who arranges for the work. Payment for major repairs is done as above.
Grave Markers & Headstones: If an Inspector comes across a grave that has no RCMP markings on it he will contact the next of kin (NOK) to determine if they would be interested in a Force marker or headstone (AM II.8 and II-8-1 refers). If the NOK show interest, the Force deals with the NOK to get the gravesite appropriately marked. The Force will pay up to $220 to have this work done. The Force also coordinates these arrangements with me and the inspector.
Ideally, the NOK should be contacted by the Force at the time of death of a member or vet. Normally, this is the time the NOK makes a decision on the design of a marker or headstone and we (Vets) should respect their original decision. NOK should be told the options available but sometimes they say that they were never contacted or informed that headstones or markers were available.
‘J’ Div Cares for All Members’ Graves: AM: II.9.2.4. states: ’… ensure a record is maintained of the graves of all former members in each detachment area, on which a regimental headstone or headstone referring to service in the RCMP has been erected’ But, our Vets go further as we inspect all graves of former members whether of not they have a marked RCMP stone.
In other words, if we know that a former members lies below then we care for his or her grave. If our inspectors becomes aware that the NOK wish a Force headstone or marker and their wishes do not contradict previous instructions then efforts will be made to have that gravesite so marked.
Scholarships: Our Vet Division usually has an annual surplus of funds since most of the inspections are done for little of no cost. So, we donate it for schol rships to the childrenor grandchildren of members of the NB Association.
We have a scholarship application form that goes out to members of the Association that request it. Our scholarship committee reviews each application and determines the scholarships.
The Vets of New Brunswick remain dedicated to the Program by locating and taking care of all of our members’ graves. It is an honour for us.
Joe, thank you very much for your interest in this National Program. I will inform you of any new gravesites I come across.
Fernhill Cemetery. Saint John, NB.
participated in the famous 'March West' in 1874 and they are buried in New Brunswick.
Reg.#o332, Sub Constable Vernon N. Graham: St. Andrew's Anglican Church Cemetery. Newcastle, NB.
Reg.#o126 & 231, Sub Constable John Allison Lindsay : Methodist Cemetery, Woodstock NB.
North West Mounted Police (NWMP)
and who are buried in New Brunswick
Reg.#203 & o469 Robinson
Reg.#444 Wilbur
Reg.#827 Orr
Reg.#1454 Anderson
Reg.#1462 Friars
Reg.#1528 McFarland
Reg.#1701 Hamlin
Reg.#1722 McLeod
Reg.#1725 Armstrong
Reg.#2299 Bates
Reg.#2307 Hoyt
Reg.#3274 Mersereau
Reg.#3669 Winter
Reg.#3677 Mullen
Reg.#3678 Winter
Reg.#3680 Boone
Reg.#3684 Forster
Reg.#3687 Washburn
Reg.#3689 Atkinson
Reg.#3694 Hains
Reg.#3696 Lindon
Reg.#3703 Wathen
Reg.#3710 Holland
Reg.#3715 Bulmar
Reg.#3719 Randall
Reg.#3828 Valentine
Reg.#3830 Wright
Reg.#3976 Holmden
Reg.#4112 Ryan
Old Town Cemetery. Bathurst, NB.
