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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-05-27, Page 5Wednesday, May 27, 2015 • Huron Expositor 5 r111177111" www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com Captain Thomas Jackson: North West Mounted Police `Original' en Captain Thomas Richard Jackson died in Egmondville at age 87 on October 25,1926, he was one of the last of the original 300 members of the North West Mounted Police, which became the legend- ary Royal Canadian Mounted Police. With the rank of Sub -Inspector, Jack- son ackson played a key leadership role in the Great March West in 1874, which established Canada's presence in the lawless westem territories. Thomas Jackson was bom near Dublin, Ireland on March 10, 1839 (one source says 1829?). His parent's Alexander and Sarah Jack- son ackson traced their ancestry to the Tudor dynasty. The Jackson's immigrated to Canada in about 1844 and settled in Goderich Town- ship just north of Bayfield. Little is known about the Jackson children's early schooling, but clearly they were all well educated. Thomas qualified was appointed a Justice of the Peace in Huron County. Yet, his primary interest was in military affairs. Jackson joined the Bayfield company of the 33rd Huron battalion. By the time of the Fenian threat in 1866, Lieutenant Jackson was the company' second in command. Jackson graduated with certificates in infantry, cav- alry and artillery training from military schools in Huron History David Yates Kingston and Toronto. He rose to the rank of captain and served as the Huron battalion's adjutant. Sometime after 1867, the Canadian government sent Jackson to England 'for instructional purposes' for nine months with the King's Royal Dragoon Guards.' By 1872, Captain Jackson was back in Bayfield in com- mand of the local militia company. According to the 'Huron Signal' and, perhaps, on Jackson's recommenda- tion, the Bayfield infantry company was converted into a horse unit known as the Bayfield Troop of Cavalry. Retired Major Neal Nick- les, ickles, a military hobbyist, who has researched former cav- alry avalry units said after the Fenian threat, having 'a mobile rapid reaction force' in Huron County would have been a tremendous benefit. The Bayfield caw alrywas disbanded in 1874 probably because Captain Jackson, the troop's com- mander, had joined the newly formed North West Mounted Police. On the recommendation of M. C. Cameron, the Member of Parliament for Huron West, Captain Jack- son ackson was commissioned by Order -in -Council a Sub - Inspector (Lieutenant) on March 30, 1874. His military experience would have been a tremendous asset for the clerks, students, farm boys and others who assem- bled in Toronto's Stanley Barracks for mounted police training, many of whom had never ridden a horse. One of Jackson's fellow NWMP officers was Sub -Inspector Francis Dickens, the son of the famed novelist Charles Dickens. There was little to indicate that this motley crowd would form the nucleus ofwhatwould become the world's most famous police force. In July 1874, the force was transported by rail to Fort Dufferin, Manitoba where it embarked on what became known as the Great March. The NWMP's mission was formidable. It was to march overland with 300 men to bring British law and order, breakup whiskey rings, and negoti- ate with the native nations. Most importantly, the NWMP was to establish the Dominion's presence in the territories and, thereby, discourage American designs on Canada's west. Between Fort Dufferin and the Rocky Mountains lay more than 1000 miles of harsh lands. With heat, thirst, inadequate horses, supplies and surrounded by potentially hostile whiskey traders and native tribes, the NWMP was tested to the limits of human endurance. Sub -Inspector Jackson was second -in -command of the 73 men of 'C' Troop. Mounted on grey horses, Jackson's troop hauled the force's two artil- lery pieces. For Jackson, it was a recognition of his superior leadership and training because the artil- lery was the most technical of the military branches. NWMP historian, Rick Hall, has written that 'the artillery pieces consisted of two 9 -pounders - each weighing 4,400 pounds. For their westward trek, each artillery piece was pulled by a team of four horses. Other troop teams pulled wagons carrying: two mortars, gun powder and artillery shells' Over rough uncharted ter- rain, the guns were heavy to haul, slowed the column down and did not seem to have a useful purpose. Few seemed to think the artillery had a useful purpose. The Great March was a gruelling affair. Desertion, inadequate supplies of food, clothing and replace- ment mounts nearly destroyed the NWMP's morale, but military disci- pline and a sense of duty won out, but barely, and they reached their destina- tion at Fort Whoop -Up (near Lethbridge, Alberta). Sub -Inspector's Jack- son's ackson's artillery troop trained their guns on the illicit whiskey trade's strong point and, without firing a shot, Fort Whoop-Up's American traders submit- ted to the British flag and Canada's presence was established in the Rockies. During the first winter, future NWMP Commis- sioner James Macleod called Jackson 'a very active officer' who 'was of great assistance in putting up the present quarters: Mcleod reported that Jackson 'con- tinued at this hard work incessantly till the buildings were fit for occupation: The result was the NWMP post at Fort Mcleod. In 1875, Mcleod recom- mended Jackson for pro- motion to Inspector (cap- tain) praising him as 'a very good officer 'who 'under- stands well the duties he would be called upon to perform: It seemed that Jackson had a promising career in the NWMP but promotion never came. Undisclosed personal matters caught up with Jack- son ackson in early 1876. He requested a three-month leave of absence because he left his 'affairs in Canada in an unsettled condition.' Jackson returned to Bayfield and requested an extension of his leave. Jackson retumed to the force in July 1876, weeks late from his extended leave. It appears that whatever Jackson's personal affairs in Huron County were they required his long-term attention. In September 1878, by Order - in -Council, his commission was cancelled because of his prolonged absence without leave. In 1879, Captain Jack- son was living with his sister, Charlotte, back on the family farm in Goder- ich Township. They seemed to have moved to San Diego, California where they remained for several years until Char- lotte's death. Captain Jackson lived in Egmondville with a niece and nephew for the last years of his life. In July 1924, Captain Jackson made one more trip to Fort Mcleod as an honoured guest at the Militia Stampede Pageant to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the com- ing of the NWMP to the West. Immediately after his death in Egmondville in 1926, Captain Jackson's remains were sent to Montreal's Christ Church Cathedral. At his passing, he was hailed as a leader of the 'original' NWMP who settled the west. Most historians agree that had the Great March failed, there would have been no Canadian Pacific Railroad and, indeed, there may not have been a Canadian West. letter to the editor Re: Letter by J.H. Moore in May 20 issue of the Expositor Dear editor, I am very grateful to Mr. Art Boon and his genera- tion for their invaluable contributions and service to the hard won freedom I enjoy in Canada today, as well as his role in liberating Holland. I have Dutch friends who relate what a joyous time that liberation was. Itis great that Rick Boon has been granted similar leaves in the past to accom- panyhis father to events. I understand that, after the last request being granted, Rick Boon was informed that no other leaves of this nature would be permitted. In this day and age, many of us really appreciate having gainful employment - forget the entitlement. An employee in most other professions would value what they had been granted and leave it at that. When this opportunity arose, Rick Boon might have thought, "what have I got to lose" and push the envelope - the worst my employer can say is no! I noticed in the media frenzy, at the time, that Rick Boon himself was maintaining a relatively low profile but I suspect he may been working underground rattling chains. Rick Boon had an option when his request was initially denied. If he felt he had been dealt an injustice, he could have quit his job and gone with his father for his requested length of time. Upon his return, he could have sought employment in a field where he could have access to all the unpaid leaves he wanted - no issues or challenge. The good thing is that Mr. Art Boon is getting to Hol- land (with or without his son) was never in jeopardy. He indicated on a news report that if Rick couldn't go, plan B would kick in and his grandson would accom- pany him. I am disappointed the Avon Maitland School Board relented on their original stand. What remains to be seen, is how creative other professionals can be when they want to secure an unpaid leave. The precedent has been set. For services rendered, Mr. Art Boon, thank you. C.A. Hunt