True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: August 2014
Reg.#12036, Constable John Newton Murray
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
This is a story of tragedy.
Reg.#12036, John Newton Murray joined the Force in 1933 and served honourably for three years. In 1936, he 'Purchased his Discharge' and he took up residence in Ottawa, ON.
In the early evening of May 11, 1937, ex-member Murray met two other members; Reg.# 12102, Constable Errol Lindsay and Reg.#12588, Constable Lewis Bartlett at the Gatineau Country Club located on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River. After several hours of friendship, the three members left the Club with three women patrons. Unfortunately, upon their return to Ottawa a tragic car accident ensued.
The news said that during the early morning hours of May 12, 1937, John Murray was the driver of a car which plunged into the Ottawa River. It was also reported that he mistakenly turned off the main highway at which time his car suddenly went down the bank and sank in the Ottawa River.
The car accident resulted in the drowning of Constable Murray along with Constable Lindsay and Constable Bartlett. The three passengers in the car survived the accident.
At the time that they died, Constable Lindsay was twenty one years of age. He had three and one half years of service inthe Force. Constable Bartlett was twenty six years of age and he had about two years of service.
Constable Murray was buried in the Pinecrest Cemetery, Ottawa, ON. Constables Lindsay was buried in Quebec City and Constable Bartlett was buried in Oak Bay near St. Stephen, NB.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy,
August 23, 2014
Obituary source: The obituary of the three members was outlined in The Quarterly. V5 (1). July, 1937.
Photo of Constable Murray's grave courtesy of http://www.gravemakergallery.com/ & London, ON Vet Merle Armstrong. 2014
Photo of Constable Bartlett's grave courtesy of Cal Craig & Danny MacNeill. Vets NB
