True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vets of the Month: November, 2015
Vets of a Golden Age
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Vets of a Golden Age hold the distinction of having attained 80 or 90 years of age. In most cases, the Vets written about here are in their mid or late 90's. At heart, they are all young.
This Vet of the Month segment is dedicated to all of our RCMP Vets who served Canada and the Force many years ago -- just imagine that they began their career in the 1940's. And today, many of the Golden Vets continue to be active in the RCMP Veteran Association and the majority of them make ever effort to attend The Annual General Meetings which are held every June in different cities across Canada.
Vets of a Golden Age have every reason to celebrate friendships and they deserve every credit for all their accomplishments and their long life. Many of the hardships which they encountered years ago have been forgotten.
Since the inception of the RCMP Graves database sixteen years ago, it has become much easier to track our Vets of a Golden Age as well as to keep in contact with them. The following list of Vets was compiled by Toronto Vet Jack O'Reilly, Vancouver Vet Sheldon Boles and Edmonton Vet AJH 'Joe' Collinson.
I am also appreciative to Jack, Sheldon and Joe for the photographs which were provided for this Vet of the Month segment.
Vets of a Golden Era
Reg.#13967, Staff Sergeant George William Fridgen was born on April 27th, 1917. He joined the Force on January 2, 1941 and he served in “A”, “Depot” & “HQ” Division as the Quarter Master Sergeant.
After retiring on December 30, 1974, George joined the RCMP Veterans’ Association.
George recently recalled that he was once assigned to a Security Detail on the weekend of November 13th, 1953 and he was involved in the personal protection of the President of the United States, Mr. Dwight D. Eisenhower.
George Fridgen lives in Ottawa, ON. He is a Life Member (LM) of the Vets Ottawa Division.
Reg.#13134, Staff Sergeant Mike Pepe (photo left) was born on December 2, 1917.
He joined the Force on December 28, 1938 and he served in “K” (Edmonton, AB) & “B” Division (Newfoundland).
Mike retired on January 4, 1966. He currently lives in Port Elgin, ON.
He was a member of the Edmonton Division Vets and he attended AGM 2014 in Ottawa, ON.
Mike turned 97 years of age on December 2, 2015.
Reg.#12851, Sergeant James Lumb is in his 98th year. Jim joined the RCMP in 1937 and retired after 20 years of service to pursue another career with Westinghouse Industries.
Jim was born on January 17, 1918 in Hanley, SK. Jim's father was Reg.#5741, Sergeant Edward Lumb who also served a long career in the RCMP. Jim said he was hugely influenced to join the Force by the loving example of his father.
Jim enjoys incredible good health for his age - both physically & mentally. Toronto Vet Jack O'Reilly and I met Jim for a memorable afternoon visit in September, 2015. He lives in Burlington, ON.
It was a wonderful honour for me to meet retired Sergeant Reg.#14011, Harold G. Searle at the Ottawa 2014 Vets AGM.
Harold was born on a Saskatchewan farm in 1918. He joined the Force in 1941 and he served for twenty five years in 'H' Division.(Nova Scotia).
Harold retired in 1962. He presently lives in Windsor, NS and his memory of policing Nova Scotia is sharp and clear. In his day, only three members were posted to Windsor but today the strength of the Detachment numbers about 30 RCMP members.
Harold is a Life Member of the Nova Scotia Vets. He is (2015) currently 97 years old.
Reg.#14010 – Retired Corporal Paul M. Holmes joined the Force on January 29, 1941. Paul served in “O”, “F”, “G” and “Depot” Divisions.
Paul retired on January 28, 1961. He is a Life Member of the Okanagan, BC Division.
Paul is the father of Reg.#27709, Staff Sergeant D. A. Holmes.
Reg.#13639 – Retired Staff Sergeant Arnold H. Calverley joined the Force on September 4, 1940. He served in “F”, “K” and “HQ” Division.
Arnold retired from the Force on January 4, 1968.
Reg.#13699 – Retired Corporal Charles 'Chuck' Holman joined the Force in September 1940 and he served his entire career in “O” Division.
'Chuck' retired on May 31, 1956. He currently lives in Bobcaygeon ON.
Charles is a Life Member of the Toronto Division Vets. He turned 94 years of age on February 19, 2015.
Reg.#13965 – Retired Staff Sergeant Nelson Craig (photo left) joined the Force on January 2, 1941. His entire career was spent in “O” Division. He retired on October 31, 1965.
Nelson turned 95 years on April 11, 2015. He currently lives in Whitby ON.
Nelson is a Life Member of Toronto Division.
Reg.#14194 – Retired Sergeant Gilbert Gove joined the Force on July 7, 1941 and served his entire career in “O” Division.
He retired on August 9, 1965. He lives in Toronto, ON
Gilbert turned 95 years on Aug 15, 2015. He is a Life Member of Toronto Division.
Reg.#14696 – Retired Staff Sergeant John R. Hovey joined the Force on April 10, 1946. He served his entire career in “K” Division (AB).
John retired on January 6, 1969. He turned 93 years of age on February 14, 2015
All these Golden Age retirees are very special. They are generous with their wisdom and their stories of all the years gone by. They are friends to all of us and their company at the Annual AGM's is cherished and enjoyed.
Congratulations to all our Vets of a Golden Age.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
November 23, 2015
