True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: July, 2011
Reg.#1361, Staff Sergeant Alexander 'Sandy' Alexander
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Affectionately tagged as 'Sandy', Alexander Alexander was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. After immigratingto Canada, Alexander joined the NWMP in 1885 at Chatham, ON. He was 23 years of age.
Expertly trained as a ferrier, Alexander was around horses from the time he was born so his well learned skills pertaining to horses undoubtedly helped him secure a job with the North West Mounted Police (NWMP). In all likelihood, however, Alexander never realized the inherent dangers which would accompany his chosen career in the NWMP especially a critical incident which he faced many years later in Alberta.
One day in 1891, Reg.#683, Staff Sergeant Chris Hilliard led a small party of NWMP from Stand Off Detachment, a few miles southwest of Lethbridge, AB., to intercept whiskey smugglers that scouts had spotted earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Reg.#1361, Constable 'Sandy' Alexander & Reg.#2223 Constable 'Paddy' Ryan broke away from Staff Sergeant Hilliard to scout the area further downstream and cross over the river at Cochrane Crossing.
Unexpectedly, the pair of NWMP saw riders in the distance, and as the group neared, Constable Alexander and Constable Ryan found the Aboriginals in possession of freshly killed steer meat.
As Constable Alexander approached the riders, "Steel Fire" suddenly shot Alexander in the neck almost at point blank range. Instinctively, Constable Ryan drew his revolver and shot "Steel Fire". The Aboriginals were arrested. "Steel Fire" was handed a two month sentence in prison.
The wounds to "Steel Fire" and to Constable Alexander were not serious and they both soon recovered, but the incident highlighted the unexpected dangers of patrols on the prairies and the real possibility of death which all NWMP faced every day. Constable Alexander would relive the close call with death for the remainder of his life.
Alexander successfully progressed through the ranks with the NWMP. In the early years, he was posted to Medicine Hat, AB., and Maple Creek, SK., and at the time of the Gold Rush, he found himself in the Yukon when a significant increase in a police presence was required due to the massive influx of thousands of gold explorers.
After some years in the Yukon, Alexander's ferrier skills were required elsewhere so he was transferred first to 'Depot' Division in Regina, SK., and later to Fort Macleod, AB. His career with the NWMP progressed favourable, and in 1911, Alexander was chosen as a member to ride in the Coronation Contingent for King George V.
Staff Sergeant Alexander's career with the NWMP was often summed up as exemplary. He could easily be described was a man of his time -- he possessed valuable skills as a ferrier upon first joining the ranks of the NWMP, he displayed courage when faced with dangerous and life threatening situations, he accepted numerous transfers across the western plains, he was honest and reliable and he held up only the best interests of the Force.
'Sandy' Alexander's funeral was well attended by his long time associates from the NWMP. In his eulogy, his close friend Reverend Arthur J. Sinclair repeated Alexander's often stoic and somewhat blunt view of death, the Minister said, "It comes to all of us, we can't avoid it, but we can go out like a man with the flag flying."
In the closing minutes of the funeral service, Reverend Sinclair noted that the flag which was used to drape Staff Sergeant Alexander's casket reminded him of a man who knew the real definition of courage. These sentiments truly summed up Alexander's life.
Staff Sergeant Alexander was buried beside his wife in Union Cemetery at Fort Macleod, AB.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Quarterly. Obituaries. V7(4). April. 1940. p.400
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
July 23, 2011
was buried in the Union Cemetery, Fort Macleod, AB.
His grave was found by Volunteer Mr. Reg Keatley. Calgary, AB. 2010.
