True and Fascinating Canadian History

Vet of the Month: November, 2016

Reg.#4888, Constable Arthur Raymond Vincent. RNWMP

by J. J. Healy
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON

I wish to acknowledge the wonderful help which I received from Mr. Thomas Vincent who kindly provided the historical background of the Vincent family as well as the memorable photos of Constable Arthur Raymond Vincent.

For generations, the Vincent family had a long-standing respect for service to the British Crown. Arthur's ancestor, Charles Vincent, arrived at Saint John, NB in July 1783 with his family as a Loyalist war refugee from the American Revolution. He had worked behind American lines in Upper New York both as an irregular insurgent for the British and as a spy. After their arrival in New Brunswick, the Vincent family took to farming and they were active in the local Militia as well.

Arthur Vincent's father, was among the early recruits (1884) to join the Royal Canadian School of Infantry (which later became the RCR) at Fredericton, NB. In short, he was a member of the first permanent Canadian Military Force designed to replace the British Forces as they withdrew from Canada after Confederation. Chester Vincent served at Fredericton from 1884 to 1896 during which time he rose to the rank of Sergeant. He then retired to Fairvale (on the eastern outskirts of Saint John, NB) to farm on family owned land. Chester Vincent's first four children, including Arthur, spent their first six years living "on post" as it were.

Arthur would have received eight or nine years of schooling at the local public school in Fairvale, NB. He then spent a couple years (1907-1909) in Saint John City where he boarded with his uncle who was a teamster. Arthur worked extensively with horses during that period, as a teamster and around the stables and it was these particular hands-on experiences which led him eventually to the RNWMP.

By 1909, Arthur looked forward to getting away from Saint John and to do something more adventurous. In those days, Saint John was a city of blue-collar workers and shopkeepers/clerks. At that point, RNWMP recruiters may have turned up in Saint John on a national recruitment tour, meaning, the opportunity presented itself to Arthur rather than Arthur seeking it out. A commitment to duty would give Arthur Vincent status in the family and the western Canadian locale would proved a sense of adventure. He was young in spirit and he was ready to move on to a new chapter of his life.

How did Arthur see his future? Probably, not very clearly or in any detail. Apparently, there was a young women back home whom his family liked but there appears to be little evidence that he desired to settle down. If the RNWMP had not presented an opportunity for adventure, then military service and WWI would have been an attractive alternative. Arthur had a good number of cousins who jump at the chance to sign up for WWI.

Even today, exploring options somewhat blindly is not unusual for young people. Like alot of young Canadians, there is always a good percentage who are not really sure what to do with their lives -- some young people look for professional careers and a sense of commitment; Arthur may have fallen into this camp with the RNWMP while other young people moved on to something else.

Arthur Vincent's life and career in the Force was short. He joined the RNWMP in Saint John, NB on May12th, 1909 and after a short stint at 'Depot' in Regina, SK., Arthur was posted to regular police duties in the province of Saskatchewan.

Arthur's free spirit in those days was very evident as he submitted himself to Service Court on three separate ocassions; twice for disobedience and once for being absent for duty & being intoxicated. The transgressions were considered minor in nature -- Arthur received small fines for each offence from the Officer Commanding of Battleford Sub Division, Superintendent John Alexander McGibbon.

Arthur Vincent's short career was spent between Battleford Detachment and Wilkie Detachment. Not much more is known about his police service in the RNWMP.

Constable Arthur Vincent accidently drowned while serving in Wilkie, SK on September 26, 1910. He was 20 years of age.

One can only imagine the grief felt by his parents and friends when they heard the tragic news of Arthur Vincent's death. But, even today his memory continues to live on in the hearts of his family and future generations.

Constable Vincent was buried in the Wilkie Cemetery. R. I. P.

The photo of Constable Vincent's grave (above left) was donated by 'E' Division RCMP Veteran Don Klancher. Don said, "Considering what appears to be a mound of relatively fresh dirt over the grave, the photo appears to have been taken not too long after Constable Vincent was buried."

The photo of Constable Vincent's grave on the right was donated in 2013 by Mr. Reg Keatley, Calgary, AB., and Friend of the Force.

Reporting from Fort Healy,

J. J. Healy
November 23, 2016

RCMP

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