True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: March, 2023
Officer O.101, Inspector Robert Belcher
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Robert Belcher was born in London, England on April 23, 1849. After a short stint in the British Army, he went on to lead an honourable and exciting life in the early development days of Canada. He was also an early pioneer with the newly established North West Mounted Police (NWMP).
A short account of Belcher's life is found on the University of Calgary website. It said, "Robert Belcher joined the 9th Lancers (Queen's Royal) in 1868 which was a cavalry regiment in the British Army. He was assigned the rank of Trooper. He remained with the 9th Lancers until he immigrated to Canada, and he joined the NWMP on November 3rd, 1873. He was assigned Reg.#o13."
After his three year commitment, Robert Belcher decided to leave the NWMP, but he re- engaged again in 1885. This time, he was assigned Reg.#1023, but he insisted that he be given a lower Regimental Number because he had once been a member of the NWMP, and a low number signified one's seniority. Due to his original status as a police veteran in the Force, he was assigned Reg.#3. Over time, he rose through the ranks and eventually was commissioned to the rank of Inspector.
Robert Belcher was known not to suffer fools. In his famous book entitled: "The North West Mounted Police" author Jack F. Dunn related a story about a recruit who once crossed paths with Robert Belcher. One evening, Belcher assigned a recruit to sentry duty. After a long day in the saddle, sentry duty was an unwanted assignment and one to be avoided at all cost. In this case, the recruit rode off into the darkness and went missing. He might have got lost in unfamiliar territory, but after a few hours Belcher reported to his superiors that the recruit had deserted. In the morning the recruit reappeared. For punishment, Belcher assigned the recruit to a cattle drive, and "...the inept recruit further suffered by having nothing to eat for thirty-six hours."(p.105). Other constables likely learned from the offending recruit that it might be wise not to cross paths with Robert Belcher or otherwise they too could expect harsh treatment if they made a blunder.
"In 1897, he was selected to attend the celebrations in England for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. He then served in the Chilkoot Pass during the Gold Rush, and later he was transferred to Dawson.
In 1900, Belcher responded to the call for military assistance in South Africa. He was dispatched to the Boer War and served in the Lord Strathcona Horse Regiment. His good service was recognized, and he was awarded The Companion Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George Medal.
Belcher later served in the Alberta Dragoons and the 5th Cavalry Brigade. He saw action in WWI.
He died suddenly on February 10, 1919. Colonel Belcher Hospital in Calgary, Alberta was named for him." He was buried in the Edmonton Cemetery, Edmonton, AB.
Dunn, Jack F. (2017). The North-West Mounted Police 1873 - 1885. Jack E. Dunn Publishers. Calgary, AB
Colonel Robert Belcher in military uniform. [ca. 1915], (CU1193747) by Unknown. Courtesy of Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
March 5, 2023
