True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: January, 2024
Reg.#11764, Constable Gray Alexander Campbell. WWII. DFC
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
In peacetime, and in time of war, Constable Gray Alexander Campbell devoted a large part of his life to Canada. Very few Canadians have led such a varied and exciting life. He was an exceptional police officer, and he faced extreme danger while on duty. He was equally a person of fortitude. After his career with the RCMP, and beginning in 1939, he served during WWII as a legendary pilot. I am sincerely appreciative to RCMP Historian Jack White for providing me with a snapshot of Constable Campbell's life.
Gray Alexander Campbell was born in Ottawa, ON in 1912. He was too young to join WWI, and as a young boy, he likely never dreamt or imagined the excitement and the danger which lay ahead for him. He joined the RCMP in 1932 at the age of 20, and after Basic Recruit Training he was posted to Alberta. In 1935, he was thrust into a famous gunfight -- a shootout with fugitives which resulted in the deaths of three members of the RCMP (Reg.#10946, Constable G. C. Harrison, Reg.#11346, Sergeant T. S. Wallace and Reg.#11582, Constable J. G. Shaw). Three mean, vicious suspects were also killed in the shootout.
The explosive and dangerous incident began one night in October, 1935. Manitoba RCMP Constable John George Shaw was working in partnership with Benito Town Police Officer Constable Wainright. They were investigating a series of burglaries and robberies. The two police officers checked a car containing three young men. The men were clean-cut, well-dressed and easily recognized as being from the Doukhobor sect (noted for alcohol abstinence and non-violence). The police officers searched the trio’s car, but they found nothing of interest. The three men were allowed to depart.
Soon afterwards, Constables Shaw and Wainwright learned that the three men were suspects wanted by the RCMP in Pelly, SK. The two police officers returned to the highway to look for the three suspects. The men were located, arrested and placed in the rear seat of the police cruiser. But, one of the suspects had a knife hidden on himself, and the three suspects apparently had not been searched. While being transported in the police cruiser to Pelly Detachment, the suspects suddenly attacked Constables Shaw and Wainright. Both police officers suffered slash wounds to their head, neck, and their hands. Then both Constable Shaw and Constable Wainwright were shot and killed. The two deceased police officers were dumped in a ditch. The suspects made a getaway in the stolen police cruiser bearing Manitoba tags.
After several hours, when neither police officer showed up at the RCMP Detachment in Pelly, as expected, a ground search was begun. A farmer found the bodies of Constables Shaw and Wainwright, and soon, another expanded search was organized across Saskatchewan and Alberta. The suspects drove west into Alberta. Soon, they were nearly out of gas.
The three fugitives reached Alberta's Banff National Park, but when the stolen police cruiser with Manitoba license plates stopped for gas, it was recognized. The witness called the RCMP who sprung into action. Constable Alexander Gray Campbell and other RCMP set up a roadblock, and soon, the stolen police cruiser approached the roadblock.
Two RCMP at the roadblock decided to walk toward the suspects car when suddenly they were met with a hail of gunfire. The headlights of the stolen cruiser were shot out, but Reg.#11326, Sergeant Thomas Sellar Wallace and Reg.#10946, George C. Harrison were both shot. During a break in the shooting, Constable Campbell loaded the two wounded RCMP into his police cruiser and raced to the nearest hospital at Canmore, AB. RCMP Sergeant Wallace and Constable Harrison died in the presence of Constable Alexander Campbell.
Back at the scene, the three fugitives then abandoned the stolen police cruiser and fled into the surrounding woods. Another RCMP constable saw a movement in the heavy bush and he shot. When he advanced into the woods, he found that he had killed the one suspect who was armed with Constable Wainwright's stolen police revolver. Not long afterwards, the other two fugitives were shot by the RCMP. Both men died later of gunshot wounds.
The psychological effects on police officers involved in deadly shootings were not well understood in 1935, however, long-lasting psychological effects can be expected especially whenever a close colleague is killed on duty. The shootout was unusually violent and it likely affected each of the RCMP in a different way. Looking back, surely all the police officers may have suffered some degree of post-traumatic stress; loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, sadness, crying and nausea. Today, the presence of such responses has led mental health professionals to work with RCMP members involved in a shooting.
It is not known for sure, but perhaps Constable Alexander Campbell absorbed the effects of the gunfight at the gates of Banff National Park better than some of his fellow police officers. It is simply not known to what degree the gunfight affected him, but he did go on to serve with the RCMP until 1939 at which time Canada entered WWII. From the first sound of the opening bell in 1939, Alexander Campbell served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a bomber pilot until 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), The France/Germany Defence Medal & The RCAF Operational Wing.
Canadians always show their affection to Veterans; soldiers, air persons, and sailors. Canadians are indebted to them for their service and for their sacrifice. To Alexander Campbell goes our affection for his bravery during a violent incident and for his valour as a pilot during WWII. The RCMP gives thanks to him for his everlasting courage.
Alexander Campbell died on June 10th, 2000 in Sidney, BC. He was cremated, but the location of his grave is not yet known.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
January 23, 2024
