True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: July, 2019
O.50A, Inspector Montague Henry White-Fraser
RCMP Vets Vancouver, BC.
The following story was first ignited in October 2017. I was contacted by Ms Linda Shephard after she had spoken to RCMP Veteran Joe Healy in Ottawa, ON. Linda Shephard is an active member of the Historical Society of the District of Kent in Agassiz -- a small community located in the Eastern Fraser Valley and about 97 kms east of Vancouver, BC.
For some years, the Society has worked to conserve the Old Pioneer Agassiz Cemetery as part of Agassiz's 150th year celebrations scheduled for 2020. Although the White-Fraser family plot existed within the bounds of an old metal fence, and Elizabeth White-Fraser's upright marker was quite visible, Ms. Shephard discovered that the actual grave of NWMP Inspector White-Fraser in the family plot did not have a identifiable name marker -- and this oversight was quite disconcerting. [The past name of the Cemetery was “Old Agassiz Pioneer Cemetery” and today it is called the “Kent Municipal Cemetery”.
Ms. Shephard decided that something had to be done to honour Inspector White-Fraser, he was once a long time Veteran of the North West Mounted Police (NWMP), and a Veteran of the Boer War. Funding had to be found for White-Fraser's unmarked grave, and a Dedication Service had to be planned. That's how I got involved in this fascinating and very heart touching story.
The Vancouver RCMP Veterans' Division contacted “E” Division HQ and financial support was approved for a Stone of Remembrance in the name of Inspector White-Fraser. Success for the funding would not have been possible without the tremendous assistance of Ms. Lurenia Blanchard of “E” Division HQ's. Funding for RCMP graves and cemetery matters fall under Lurenia's perview. The stone Lurenia purchased for Inspector White-Fraser was identified with the Crest of the NWMP.
Then plans began for a special Dedication Service to be held at White-Fraser's family plot in the Old Agassiz Cemetery. The Dedication Service was officially held on July 13, 2019. I had researched Inspector White-Fraser’s career in the NWMP, and I was honoured to read an overview of his life in front of the congregation which assembled for the Service.
Mr. Jim Turner, the RCMP Chaplain officiated at the Service, and an Honour Guard of RCMP Veterans and Regular Members stood at attention. Brian Bakuska, a member of the RCMP Pipes and Drums played a solemn lament.
Alas, little did I realize the hilly location of the Old Agassiz Cemetery. Pioneers who originally created the cemetery built it on a mountainside -- for sure, the 'ole timers must have been some hearty climbers!
There are 23 rows of grave plots on the side of the mountain of the Old Agassiz Cemetery. Inspector White Fraser and his wife Elizabeth were buried in line with row # 10 -- but the plot's location was barely visible from the lower level of the mountain where the congregation first gathered together in July.
For safety concerns, it was decided that the more senior attendees should rest at the lower level during the Dedication Service, and if they wished, they could climb the mountain later and pay respects at the White-Fraser plot.
As it turned out, the entire congregation did make the trek up the mountainside while Piper Brian Bakuska played “Going Home”. Everyone was pleased with the solemnity and the sounds of the pipes. Well done Brian!
After the Dedication Service everyone in attendance was invited by Reverend David Price back to the Agassiz Anglican Church supposedly for a light lunch. But, it was hardly a light lunch, instead it was a full buffet! The meal was delicious and very graciously appreciated.
The hospitality also gave everyone the opportunity to tour the historic Agassiz Anglican Church. Inside, one could see the stain glass window once dedicated by church members to the memory of Mrs. Elizabeth White-Fraser. She died in 1908. Barely visible at the bottom of the window in small print was Elizabeth White-Fraser's name.
Inspector & Mrs. Montague Henry White-Fraser
Throughout the day of the Dedication Service, it was hard not to reflect back on the lives of Elizabeth and Montague Henry White-Fraser. What was the reason for Elizabeth White-Fraser's name to be listed on a prominent stone in the family plot, but not her husband's name? It was a curious question on everyone's mind. Eventually, I discovered the answer. And sad it was.
Here is the story of their lives.
Montague Henry White-Fraser was born on June 24, 1853 at Inverness, Scotland to Major Montague James White of the Bengal Army stationed in India and Frances Elizabeth Fraser of Inverness, Scotland. His mother was born of true aristocratic stock; Frances Elizabeth's father was the former Philip Affleck Fraser of Inverness, Scotland. Due to her classical lineage, Frances Elizabeth Fraser chose to give her children a hyphenated surname: White-Fraser.
Miss Elizabeth Retallack was born in 1863 in Quebec City, QC to Francis Retallack and Emma Grace Ley. She too came from a privileged line. Elizabeth's father was Captain Francis Retallack of the 63rd Regiment -- he was Military Secretary and Aide de Camp to Sir Edmond Walker Head, once Governor General of Canada.
Where precisely Montague Henry and Elizabeth first met was not clear, but they were married in All Saints Church in Leamington, England on February 26, 1883. Then Montague Henry White-Fraser immigrated to Canada with his bride.
The White-Fraser's arrived in Moose Jaw, SK in 1883. He was 30 years of age, she was 20. White-Fraser's first job was as an Agent for the Canada North-West Land Company, a British-Canadian syndicate that managed lands for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Soon, however, he was attracted to the North West Mounted Police (NWMP). On his Enlistment Forms, he cited that he had previously served in India's National Police, and he had also served as a Bugler in Carrington’s Horse Regiment in Isadhlwana, Zululand, South Africa. There was no doubt that his police experience and international travel was an asset to the NWMP.
M. H. White-Fraser received a Commission to Inspector in the NWMP on May 1st,1884. He was posted to Fort Qu’Appelle, but soon he was transferred north-west to Battleford, SK. It was an arduous and full time job just keeping the peace between the First Nations people and immigrant settlers who had arrived from overseas. Conflicts were common, and it was extremely difficult to balance the rights of the Fist Nations peoples with the rights of immigrants. At the time, government policy regarding land and property often led to near explosive situations.
In 1885, Inspector White-Fraser found himself in the midst of the North-West Rebellion, however, he was commended for his dedicated service while under the command of General F. D. Middleton. Then he was moved to Regina, and here White-Fraser acted as Orderly Officer at the hanging of Louis Riel. For a short while after the North West Rebellion, he continued to serve in Regina.
From 1887 to 1897 he served at Pincher Creek, Calgary, and as the Officer in Charge of Lethbridge, AB Detachment. Although he was relatively young, White-Fraser felt worn down and he was beginning to show the effects of stress in his life. He was only 44, but Inspector White-Fraser requested permission to retire with only 13 years service.
Meanwhile, he had heard rumblings that his position in the NWMP would be eliminated, his health declined; his hearing was poor, and he suffered from lumbago and incipient sciatica. His last day was September 30, 1897. His annual pension was $1000.00 and he was given a retirement allowance of $250.00 a year.
Upon retirement, the White-Fraser's moved to Kamloops, BC. He was employed with Lewthwaite & Co. Soon, they moved to Wardner, BC, where he was employed as a Commission Agent and a Contractor. But, he was struggling financially. His pension was meager and he needed help for he and his wife to live, so he wrote to the NWMP asking for work wherever it could be offered. He informed the NWMP that his health had somewhat improved. The NWMP made no offers.
In 1900, he caught wind of the South African War, and that Canada was offering troops. He wrote to the NWMP again. This time, he asked for a Commission in the Lord Strathcona’s Horse Regiment -- it was being sent to fight in South Africa. His financial troubles continued, but he was granted a Commission in The Horse as a Lieutenant. As it turned out, his CO was Samuel B. Steele and his 2nd in Command was Major R. Belcher both former NWMP. He was back among friends.
Samuel Benfield Steele records show that M. H. White-Fraser was involved in many close conflicts with the enemy during the Boer War. He was described by Steele as a brave soldier who, on one occasion, stood his ground between the enemy and his men to protect them. At the close of War, M. H. White-Fraser took leave of absence for a stopover in England, but his health was poor.
After the War, White-Fraser returned to British Columbia, but he failed to find steady work. In 1904, he was appointed a Provincial Justice of the Peace (JP) at Agassiz, BC. But, it paid very little. The BC Directory cited his occupation as a farmer, and his rank was a Major. In those days, titles were given to Officers upon leaving the military or the NWMP especially if they had performed well. The title and rank gave Officers a leg up and greatly influenced future job opportunities, and connections to the right people.
Suddenly, Elizabeth 'Elsie' White-Fraser died of heart failure. It was February 17th, 1908. She was 47. Montague White-Fraser buried Elizabeth in the Old Agassiz Cemetery. He purchased a decent sized monument with an upright cross and an inscription bearing her name. He installed an ornate fence around her grave.
Prior to her death, Elizabeth White-Fraser was considered in high regard by many people in Agassiz. After her funeral, the ladies of the Anglican Church raised money to install a stained-glass window behind the altar in the Anglican Church as a memorial to Elizabeth. The window continues to bear her name.
After the death of Elizabeth, Montague White-Fraser bought a small lot in Burnaby, BC. He built a structure and called it home. In 1927 he was hospitalized in the Vancouver General, suffering from malnutrition and a collapsed heart. He sensed death so he called the Reverend H. A. Lewis Hooper of the RCMP Veterans’ Association to promise that if he should die, he would be buried next to Elizabeth. He wanted a Piper to play “Lochober’s Lament” at his funeral.
While White-Fraser was hospitalized, the Reverend Hooper wrote to the RCMP. He explained that White-Fraser was living alone in a small shack in Burnaby, and that he was no longer able to tend to his garden or look after himself due to ill health. The Reverend asked for assistance from the RCMP but he was turned down.
On June 5th, 1927, Montague Henry White-Fraser died in the General a few days shy of his 74th birthday. Once again, Rev. Hooper wrote to the RCMP for assistance to bury White-Fraser.
The RCMP offered a burial grant of $75, and the sale of Montague’s shack and his Burnaby property netted $300.00. It was enough to pay for his hospital and medical expenses. What little money remained helped to pay for his burial.
A funeral service was held in the Undertakers Chapel in Vancouver, BC. It was attended largely by NWMP Veterans. Assistant Commissioner T. A. Wroughton and Superintendent A. R. Duffus represented the RCMP, the Vancouver City Police were present as well as a few Provincial Police.
The grave side service was conducted on June 7, 1927 by Reverend Lewis Hooper and the Vicar of the Anglican Church. Reverend Hooper kept his promise. Montague Henry White-Fraser was buried in the family plot and next to his beloved wife 'Elsie' on the side of a BC mountain in the Old Agassiz Cemetery. The Chief of the Vancouver Police sent a Piper in Highland garb at his own expense to respond to Montague White-Fraser's final wish for the bagpipes.
The Agassiz newspapers carried an item about Montague White-Fraser’s funeral -- it seemed that it was the first time that a Piper had ever appeared for a local burial.
Montague fought for many years trying to get help from the NWMP, the RCMP and the government asking for work, or at the very least a raise in his pension to help him survive. Many other men received raises but unfortunately, Montague White-Fraser retired as a Commissioned Officer and because his pension commenced before 1900 he didn't qualify for additional benefits.
Montague White-Fraser spent his entire life associated to either the military or the NWMP. It was his home, and it was where he found true comfort. He turned to the military for employment, and in later years he turned to the NWMP for an increase to his police pension.
His letters over the years showed he had great respect for his old Commanders who had written good reports of his work. All his superiors said that Montague H. White-Fraser had a universal expression of good will and a reputation that held him in esteem with all classes of people with whom he came in contact.
Inspector Montague Henry White-Fraser died a pauper. After his accounts were paid, there wasn’t a single penny left in his estate even to pay for a modest headstone to mark his final resting place.
On July 13, 2019, the time had come to place a marker on Montague Henry White-Fraser's grave.
Farewell friend. Find everlasting peace.
Congratulations to Ms. Linda Shephard of Agassiz, to all the Agassiz Volunteers, the Church Officials, to the RCMP and RCMP Veterans, to the Mayor of Agassiz and other Municipal Officials, to Ms. Lurenia Blanchard of “E” Division HQ's and to all the guests and friends, and to RCMP Veteran Ric Hall for all the work which everyone contributed to make The Dedication Service for NWMP Inspector Mongague Henry White-Fraser such a memorable day on July 13, 2019
The photos in this piece were contributed by Ms Shephard and by Veteran Ric Hall. Thank you.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
July 23, 2019
