True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: January, 2019
O.240, Commissioner Sir James MacBrien
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Sir James Howden MacBrien is long and well remembered as a very advanced thinking leader -- he was chosen to lead the Force at a time when some people said the RCMP had grown stagnant, and that modern renewal was well overdue and highly necessary. Unfortunately, James MacBrien died far too early and so he did not see many of his goals bloom and fully blossom.
It is said that James MacBrien was fascinated by the military life from the time he was a youngster. He was born in Myrtle, Ontario in 1878 and in 1896 he graduated from Port Perry High School. He joined the local militia at a very young age, and the militia sparked his interest to join the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) in early 1900. Soon, he was shipped off to the South African War and in 1901 he joined The South African Constabulary (SAC) where he remained for 6 years. Then, his attention turned to marriage and the military.
James MacBrien left South Africa for Canada in 1906. He married his high school sweetheart Nellie Louise Ross. When WWI broke out, he joined the British War Unit at the rank of Major. He joined the CEF First Canadian Contingent on January 29th, 1916 and went to France at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. According to his war record, MacBrien was wounded in the Battle of Ypes and again at the Assault on the Drocourt Queant Line. He served as the Assistant Quartermaster General beginning on August 1st, 1919.
MacBrien returned to Ottawa, and on February 29th, 1920, he was promoted to Major General. At the same time, he was also elevated to Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS). At the age 42, he was the youngest person to ever hold such a senior and prestigious post. He held the job of CDS until he retired from the Canadian Army in 1927.
No doubt it came as a huge surprise to many people when James MacBrien was appointed Commissioner # 8 of the RCMP in August, 1931. And yet, no one could shed any misgivings on his leadership qualities, his increased responsibilities over time and his rapid rise through the ranks of the Canadian Army. His professional strengths as a leader, and in the role of CDS must have made a very favourable impression within senior government circles including the Prime Minister.
Upon his appointment to lead the Force, Commissioner MacBrien set into place strategic and progressive plans to modernize the Force; he strongly advocated for a scientific approach to crime detection, he advocated for higher education and training at the local RCMP level, at the Division level, as well as at 'Depot', and the Canadian Police College. The Commissioner played a huge role in the formation of RCMP Aviation Services. He promoted the work of Police Service Dogs, he was instrumental in the formation of the RCMP 'Marine' Services, and he oversaw and he promoted provincial contracts for the RCMP to police in Manitoba, Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
At the time, Sir James MacBrien was a wise choice for Commissioner. He had served as a police officer in South Africa, he had served in WWI, and he had led a distinguished career as a professional soldier both in domestic and international roles. Commissioner MacBrien's work and modernization plans put the RCMP on a solid footing at a time in its history when innovation was needed most. His forethought, his strategic approach for improvements and his concrete changes for the RCMP are still evident within the organization today.
James MacBrien was made a Member of the Order of St. Michael and St George in 1918.
Commissioner MacBrien died unexpectedly of a heart attack in Toronto on March 5th, 1938. He was buried in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, ON.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
January 23, 2019
Details about Sir James MacBrien's marriage, and details of his military career were taken from the:
Canadian Great War Project: CEF Soldier Details. Brigadier General James Howden MacBrien
Source: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/searches/soldierDetail.asp?ID=106021
