VPD Officers: Boer War Veterans
Many VPD officers have gone to war, some of them making the ultimate sacrifice. These are our Vancouver Police Department veterans who fought in the Boer War.
HARRY WALTER LONG
DOB: December 20, 1872, 1873 or 1875, (depending on document) in Newbury, Berkshire, England
DOD: February 5, 1948, in Vancouver, BC
Buried: Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver
With a long proud history, Sergeant Long served with the 5th Dragoon Guards. His assignments included Bengal and Pemjaube (India), and three years in South Africa, prior to immigrating to Canada. He held 12 years total with the British Military.
He joined the Vancouver Police in 1907.
In 1915, he attested at Vancouver and served overseas in England and France as a Regimental and Battalion Sergeant Major.
In December 1918, he returned to policing attaining the rank of sergeant and inspector. In January 1924, he was appointed Vancouver’s 12th Chief Constable, with four years in that role. When amalgamation with Point Grey and South Vancouver Municipal Police Forces occurred in 1929, he was relegated to, and subsequently retired from, the rank of inspector in 1932.
STANLEY BUXTON BEYTS
DOB: May 21, 1873, in Bombay, India
DOD: December 12, 1938, in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Buried: unmarked grave at Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Sergeant with the 2nd Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles, serving in South Africa from January 1900 – January 1901, he was invalided back to Canada after an illness. He was awarded the Queen’s South African Medal with four clasps (Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Cape Colony and Orange Free State).
Stanley served with the Royal North West Mounted Police before and after his military time in South Africa (1893 -1904). He had a very brief stint with the Vancouver Police from 1909 – 1910, then as a BC Provincial Police officer (Deputy Gold Commission, Deputy Assessor and Collector and Deputy Registrar in Lillooet). He was listed as Chief of the BC Provincial Police in 1913. He rejoined the RNWMP in 1914 until 1916, when he left at the rank of sergeant.
EDWARD MERVYN BRADNER
DOB: January 18, 1876, in Enniskerry, County Wicklow, Ireland
DOD: October 27, 1943, in Los Angeles, California
Buried: Forest Lawn (Los Angeles) Cemetery
According to a Province Newspaper 1907 clipping, Bradner was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary, the Life Guards (London), the Police Force of the East Indies, Singapore, and the Malacca Settlement, and also saw service with Baden Powell’s Police in the South African War (unverified).
He joined the Royal Horse Guards (Household Cavalry) in 1899, with overseas service during the “Boxer Rebellion” (China). He was a Vancouver Police Officer for 3.5 years, and later a Superintendent of Customs at the Port of Vancouver (verified).
JOHN ROBERTSON
DOB: May 13, 1875, in Baleshare, Inverness, Scotland
DOD: March 30, 1958, in Vancouver
Buried: Ocean View Cemetery, Burnaby
Served with the Glasgow Police before being recruited in 1902 to the Lovat Scouts Imperial Yeomanry, where he saw service in South Africa.
He immigrated to Canada in 1907 with his family, and joined the Vancouver Police in May of that year. He retired after 24 years of policing this city.
ROY LELAND ENGREM
DOB: January 3, 1885, in Rutland, Vermont
DOD: February 21, 1926, in Los Angeles, California
Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Rutland, Vermont
In April of 1902, Roy attested at Guelph, Ontario with the 3rd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles. He saw service during the South African War, and previously he listed his military service as a corporal with the 43rd Royal Rifles.
His policing service included seven years with the Dominion Police (Ottawa) and one year with the Vancouver Police from 1908 – 1909. He went on to police the Santa Fe Railway for several years, in the U.S.
DONALD GORDON ROSS
DOB: August 28, 1881, in Inverness, Scotland
DOD: February 19, 1941, in Vancouver, BC
Buried: Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver
Donald had significant military experience, having volunteered for three years with the 1st Battalion Camerons and then 1.5 years of active service with Lovat’s Scouts Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa (2nd Boer War). He was awarded both the Queen’s and King’s South Africa medals.
A decade later, he attested in 1914 with the 29th Battalion. He received his commission in 1917 and was wounded twice by shell explosions in France. He was demobilized in 1919 and returned to policing.
As far as his policing experience: he spent two years with Winnipeg Police, a period with the BC Provincial Police, and was taken on strength with the Vancouver Police in 1919, sadly passing away while still on the job in 1941.
ISMAY FELL
DOB: June 27, 1879, in Hayick, Roxbourg-shire, Scotland
DOD: March 11, 1926, in Kamloops, BC
Buried: Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver
Ismay spent 7.5 years with the 20th Hussars Regiment (Cavalry). He was sent to South Africa during the Boer War and was subsequently awarded the Queen’s South African medal (four Campaigns).
Ismay policed in the city of Glasgow for 3.5 years before immigrating to Canada. He joined the Vancouver Police in April 1910. He was a member of the Police Mounted unit in 1915.
During WWI, he received leave from the Police to enlist as a Gunner with the 68th Overseas Depot Field Battery (CFA); later transferring to the 6th Battery. In September 1918, he suffered a gunshot wound, fracturing his tibia and fibula, at Cambrai, France. He returned, and in 1920, resumed his policing duties.
Ismay developed tuberculosis, and in 1926 went to Tranquille Sanatorium in Kamloops. Wounds he received during the war were deemed to be a contributing factor, and he passed at Tranquille.
As was custom, the Vancouver Police took care of officers’ families after death, thus Ismay’s widow, Fanny Fell, was hired on as police matron in April 1926.
THOMAS FRANCIS COAKLEY
DOB: April 12, 1877, in County Cork, Ireland
DOD: March 8, 1964, in Vancouver
Buried: cremation
Thomas spent 12 years with the 1st Life Guards (Household Cavalry). He attested in February 1896, as a Trooper and was sent to South Africa in November 1899, spending one year fighting. He was awarded the Queen’s Medal for South Africa with four Clasps – Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, and Cape Colony. In 1907, he was transferred to the 1st Class Army Reserve in England whereupon her served a further one year.
Thomas immigrated to Canada in 1908 and joined the Vancouver Police in August 1911. The call of duty was strong, and in March 1916, he enlisted with the 68th Depot Field Artillery, ranking out as Battalion Sergeant Major. In June 1919, he was demobilized and returned to Canada to resume his policing career.
He retired as a detective in April 1935.
HARRY HAYWARD SYMES
DOB: May 11 1880 in Isla Abbotts, South Somerset, England
DOD: July 25 1920 at Esquimalt, BC
Buried: Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, BC
Harry enlisted with the West Kent Yeomanry (Imperial Yeomanry) in February 1901 as a Private. His files indicated he was sent to South Africa in March of 1901, and was discharged in June 1902. He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa medal, with the following Clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal.
At his own request, he was to take up civil employment when he joined the Johannesburg Town Police, and spent the next five years in service there.
In September 1910, Harry joined the Vancouver Police. He was granted leave to enlist for service in August 1914. Sadly, while in France, he was injured several times, including a shell burst that knocked him unconscious for a significant period. He suffered shell shock and wounds to the eyes. He was discharged in March 1918 and returned to the police force in April that same year.
In August 1919, while on extended leave, he resigned from the police and died less than a year later at the age of 40. The Memorial Cross was awarded to his widow, as his death was attributed to the service he gave to his country.
ALFRED JOSEPH “JOE” MANNIN HEAVINGHAM
DOB: March 4, 1880, in London, England
DOD: April 22, 1953, in Duncan, BC
Buried: St. Peter’s Anglican Cemetery, Cowichan, BC
“Joe” enlisted with the Royal Artillery at the age of 18. His military experience included close to three years in South Africa and two-and-a-half years in India. His total time was 12 years with the artillery.
He was awarded the Queen’s and King’s South African Medals, with clasps including Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, and Laing’s Nek.
He followed in his father and uncle’s footsteps, by joining the London Metropolitan Police, working there for seven years.
After immigrating to Canada, he joined the Vancouver Police (1912). In May 1916, he was granted leave to join the military, serving as a Corporal and Sergeant with the Canadian Garrison Artillery (CGA), until he returned home in 1919 and resumed his policing duties. He retired his police cap on May 1, 1938.
In 1941, he apparently moved back to England, married and, according to a news clipping (Feb 1942), he served with the Home Guard.
He returned to Canada, residing in Duncan until his death at age 73 years.
DONALD CAMERON
DOB: November 29, 1884, in Scotland
DOD: October 22, 1957, in Williams Lake, BC
Buried: Keremeos Cemetery
Private Donald Cameron (#3431) joined the 2nd (Royal Scots Greys) Dragoons and was put to task in South Africa. He was awarded the Queen’s South African medal with six clasps, indicating each campaign that his unit participated in – Paardeberg, Dreifontoin, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, and Relief of Kimberley.
After the Boer War, he joined the Glaswegian Police, in service for two years (c1903-1905). At some point, he left for Chile, where he spent eight months policing there. He joined the British Army again in 1914, serving with the Royal Artillery and was commissioned in the field at the battle of Vimy Ridge (1917). He apparently served 5.5 years in the Expeditionary Force.
In January 1921, he joined the Vancouver Police where he served for 24 years, attaining the rank of sergeant.
ALBERT CHAMPION
DOB: June 13, 1876, in Bray, Dublin, Ireland
DOD: May 6, 1958, in Vancouver
Buried: Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver
Joined the Royal Northwest Mounted Police in 1896 and went with the police detachment to serve in the Boer War, under the Canadian Mounted Rifles. He was wounded and invalided to England, where he saw the coronation of King Edward VII.
According to his service records, he spent eight months with the CP Railway as a Constable, and 3.5 years as a prison guard at the Stoney Mountain Penitentiary. In March 1907, he joined the Vancouver Police.
He enlisted for WWI (1914) as a sergeant, assigned to the 2nd Brigade HQ Staff, with overseas service in France. He was discharged in July 1919, and returned to policing in Vancouver.
After 25 years of service with the Vancouver Police, he retired in June 1931.
HARRY FRANK HORTON
DOB: March 27, 1873, in London, England
DOD: February 12, 1946, in Vancouver, BC
Buried: Pacific Heritage Cemetery (Masonic), Burnaby
Boer War Veteran – male nurse (served with British Forces). Could not locate his military records for this deployment.
He joined the Southampton (England) Police and High Wycombe (England) Police Forces, prior to immigrating to Canada. Harry joined the Vancouver Police as a Guard in April 1912.
In September 1915, he enlisted as a sergeant, serving with the Canadian 7th & 62nd Battalions, as well as the Canadian Military Police. He was demobilized in November 1919, returning to the police and sworn in as a constable. He retired in 1932.
Three of his sons were also Vancouver Police officers.
WALTER ARTHUR REGINALD ADAMS
DOB: September 23, 1880, in Newport, Wales
DOD: January 25, 1973, in Vancouver
Buried: Ocean View Cemetery, Burnaby
Adams was a service man his whole life, with a clear love of horses. He served 12 years with the Cavalry and Hussars in the UK, and in 1899, joined the Cape Mounted Police in South Africa. The Cape Police were a para-military organization, which saw active service in several campaigns and operations during the Anglo-Boer War.
At some point after his service in South Africa, he immigrated to Canada, initially to Winnipeg, where he joined the police there, for 15 months. In 1914, he enlisted with the infantry – ranking as Company Sergeant Major (5th and 2nd Battalions). On June 21st 1915 in Givenchy, France, he was seriously wounded when a shell exploded, causing shrapnel injuries. He was invalided back to England.
Once back in Canada in March 1918, he joined the Vancouver Police as a temporary constable, critical to staffing as so many members were enlisting to fight overseas, thus upholding law enforcement duties for the city. After a short period, he resigned, only to show up in Prince Rupert, as the Inspector of Police in that city, serving until March 1919.
He seems to have disappeared for a period, and shows on the 1921 Census in an area west of Edmonton, listed as a farmer.
In July 1930, he was taken back into service with the Vancouver Police as a telephone operator and elevator attendant. Three years later, he was laid off to accommodate an injured police officer to fill that position.
Once again, answering the call to duty, Walter was sworn in as a special constable in May 1935, during the “unemployment demonstrations” that occurred that summer.
BENJAMIN DALTON
DOB: November 15, 1877, County Cork, Ireland
DOD: January 3, 1964, in Vancouver
Buried: Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver
Attested to the Imperial Yeomanry on January 8, 1900, at Warwick, England. Two months later, he was sent to South Africa. He returned to England in July 1901, and was discharged at his own request from further service in connection with the War in South Africa. His rank was Corporal.
He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with three clasps – Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and Transvaal.
Sometime after his discharge from the Yeomanry in 1901, Ben attested with the Canadian Scouts at Cape Town, South Africa, and served as a Trooper until his discharge on August 11, 1902. From records located, he very likely participated in the Honour Guard for the Coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in June 1902. He was entitled to the King’s Coronation Medal and the King’s South Africa Medal for his service.
He joined the Vancouver Police in 1913, retiring in 1942.
JAMES FITZGERLAD O’HARA
DOB: March 2, 1876, in County Galway, Ireland
DOD: April 10, 1923, in Vancouver
Buried: Ocean View Cemetery, Burnaby
Attested on March 21, 1900, at London, with the Imperial Yeomanry – 73rd Company at the rank of Private, promoted to Lance Corporal and later he was commissioned to Lieutenant.
He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902 and two clasps – Cape Colony and Transvaal, with service in South Africa from April 14, 1900 – May 10, 1902 (2nd Boer War).
BC Provincial Police Constable from approximately 1910 – 1914. He was Chief of Police at Esquimalt from 1914 – 1915. For a very brief time he was a temporary constable with Vancouver Police in 1916.
His father, uncle, and two brothers were all military men.
JAMES CLARK PROUDLOCK
DOB: December 12, 1884, in Killingworth, Northumberland, England
DOD: October 15, 1955, in Vancouver
Buried: Cremation Forest Lawn, Burnaby
James had a long history of service. He attested January 6, 1902, with the Imperial Yeomanry, 28th Battalion (129th Company). He was sent to South Africa in May that year and was discharged at his own request October 26, 1902. His rank was Private (Shoeing Smith), he would have been responsible to shoe the horses being used during the war. He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902 and on clasp – Cape Colony.
After returning home, he joined the Tynemouth Borough (UK) Police from 1905 to 1910, with Exemplary Conduct. In 1910, he joined the Shanghai (China) Police, for one year. Then he immigrated to Canada, where he spent six months with the Winnipeg Police. He Joined the Vancouver Police Dec 1913 until Dec 1944, retiring as patrol sergeant.
HENRY EDGAR BAKER
DOB: April 18, 1867, in London, England
DOD: December 19, 1933, in Vancouver
Buried: Mountain View Cemetery
Henry was a veteran of the Boer and Sudan Wars. He joined the Imperial Army York & Lancaster Regiment in December 1886, serving until March 1908. His rank was Sergeant, with Exemplary service.
He was awarded the Queen’s South African Medal 1899 – 1902, with four clasps – Laing’s Nek, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and Transvaal.
Henry attested with the Canadian Military on September 10, 1915 at Vancouver, joining the 72nd Overseas Battalion. He was the Company Sergeant Major, serving in England and France. In October 1916, he was blown up by a mine and buried under a large girder, suffering concussion and injuries to back, legs, and arms. He recovered, and in 1918, accepted a Commission as Lieutenant. He was demobilized in April 1919.
In January 1921, Henry was sworn in as Chief for the Municipality of South Vancouver Police. He served until August 1, 1923, whereupon he joined the BC Provincial Police, believing him to have continuous service in that agency until his death in 1933.
RALPH ASSHETON WALES
DOB: December 31, 1880, in Manchester, England
DOD: July 24, 1926, in Vancouver
Buried: Mountain View Cemetery
Circa 1899, Ralph enlisted with the 1st Manchester Regiment, serving throughout the South African (Boer) War. He was awarded the Queen’s and King’s South Africa Medals with the Belfast and Relief of Ladysmith Clasps.
Once he left the Army, he joined the Manchester City Police. In the early 1900s, he and his wife immigrated to Canada. Their son, Ralph Jr., was born in Nelson, BC, in 1908.
In 1912, Ralph Sr. joined the South Vancouver Police Force. With the outbreak of war in 1914, he travelled to England where he re-enlisted with the 3rd Manchester Regiment, as a musketry instructor.
History has it, that while training recruits in 1916, their camp was bombed in a Zeppelin air raid and a number of men were killed.
Later, he was sent to the Mesopotamia Campaign (Iraq), and while enroute, the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine near Malta. Many lives were lost, but Ralph stepped off the sinking ship onto a gunboat. Believed this occurred on April 15, 1917, the sinking of the SS Cameronia (see photo).
He served in Egypt, India, Mesopotamia and was (allegedly) with Lord (General) Edmund Allenby when he entered Jerusalem on December 11, 1917. After the war, Ralph returned to South Vancouver, and rejoined the South Vancouver Police.
On July 24, 1926, after a colourful but very short life, Sgt. Ralph Wales passed away at VGH.
JAMES WARD
DOB: April 29, 1881, in Dalry, Ayrshire, Scotland
DOD: October 23, 1942, in Vancouver
Buried: Mountain View Cemetery
In February 1900, Private James Ward attested to the Royal Scots Regiment at Edinburgh, Scotland. He left for South Africa in November and spent 2.5 years fighting during the War. He was awarded the South African Medal with clasps – Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, as well as the 1901 Medal.
He returned to Scotland, and continued his military service until 1914 (UK Military Records). During this time, he married Margaret Cassells (1906). He emigrated to Canada May 1912 (reference incoming passenger lists); it is unclear how he remained serving in the UK military over the next two years, while living in BC.
According to the incoming passenger list, James stated his occupation was police and that would be the same once in British Columbia. The family moved to Cumberland, BC, (a large coal mining community in the Comox Valley), where he was the Chief of Police.
James attested for WWI in October 1916, and went overseas with the Canadian Field Artillery (Gunner). He served in England and France, and was discharged in March 1918.
It was after this period, and upon returning to Canada, James moved his family to South Vancouver, where he joined the South Vancouver Municipal Police, serving until May 1923. He then was employed by the CPR as a constable. His obituary indicates Customs Officer and CPR Coastal Service employment.
His wife Margaret, was a Matron with the South Vancouver Police for a number of years.