Commissioners' Monuments
The RCMP National Memorial is a statue of Reg.#0.4, Commissioner James A. F. MacLeod, at the
front entrance of the RCMP Building on Vanier Parkway, Ottawa ON.
The names of all RCMP members who died in the line of duty (Honour Roll) are listed in bronze at the
base of the statue.
RIP
The Monument of Commissioner MacLeod (directly above) is found in the Central Union Cemetery, Calgary, AB. Commissioner
James MacLeod immigrated to Canada from Scotland. He served as Commissioner of the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) from July 22, 1876 - October 31, 1880.
Commissioner L. H. Nicholson, MBE
RIP
Click on picture for larger version
Reg.#0.264, Commissioner Leonard Hanson Nicholson, M.B.E. is referred to and often remembered as the RCMP’s
'best Commissioner’ because he was so widely respected and admired. This sentiment is according to the
Kings County Record: Friends & Neighbours.
Commissioner Nicholson, informally known as ‘Mr. Nick’, joined the Force from Mount Middleton, NB in 1923
at age 19. Later, in 1941, he joined the war effort and served in Africa, Italy and northern Europe.
Commissioner Nicholson rejoined the Force after the war and he continued to progress by promotion through RCMP
ranks. He was appointed Commissioner on May 1, 1951 and he served as Commissioner until March 31, 1959.
He was the tenth Commissioner of the Force.
In 1959, Commissioner Nicholson resigned in protest when Prime Minister Diefenbaker refused to support
his decision to send reinforcements to help the RCMP manage the loggers’ strike in Newfoundland.
Commissioner Nicholson died in 1983 at age 78. He is buried at the RCMP 'Depot' Cemetery, Regina
Saskatchewan.RIP
This picture of Commissioner Nicholson monument is located about six kilometres north-east of Sussex, New Brunswick. The monument was dedicated by Commissioner Beverly Busson on June 5, 2007 which was the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the RCMP serving in the Maritimes.
Also present at the ceremony were Commissioner Nicholson’s sister Blanche Nicholson-McCleave and his daughters Marjorie Galbraith and Mary Anne Nicholson. The Nicholson family extended their deep appreciation to Frank and Janet Robinson of Mount Middleton who spearheaded the Nicholson project.
I wish to thank my troopmate, Reg.#23683, G.G. (Gerry) Clarke and his wife Linda from Sussex,
New Brunswick for sending me the photograph of Commissioner Nicholson's Monument.
Source: Kings County Record: Friends & Neighbours. June 12, 2007. Section B, page B1, Published in Sussex N.B.
The RCMPolice Vessel - PV Nadon
RIP
The photo is of the PV Nadon which was named for Reg.#13863, Commissioner Maurice Jean Nadon, sixteenth Commissioner
of the Force. Commissioner Nadon 'steered' his 'ship' (the Force) from December 29, 1973 to August 31, 1977.
Down thought the Force's history, Commissioner Nadon was one among other Commissioners for which he was much
loved, respected and admired. Old salts recall Commissioner 'Moe' Nadon fondly. He had great passion
for his wife and family, his cottage and the water, his God and the Force.
After his retirement, Commissioner Nadon wanted to remain firmly in touch with his friends. My wife, Cathy
and I would often greet him at regular Old Fossil's Dinner's and such. He was always warmly greeted as he
quietly 'worked' the room and he had a gentle kiss on the cheek for all the women. About a year or so before he
died, I invited Commissioner Nadon to the Annual Old Trainers' 2008 Luncheon at the Officer's Mess in Ottawa. He was among many,
many of his old colleagues and he was very relaxed.
Just prior to the lunch, I had the happy and memorable occasion, as Host, to 'promote' Commissioner Nadon to
official 'Trainer' status. I explained that the 'trainer' designation allowed him to be officially in attendance.
He was very quick witted and the Commissioner rarely or ever let me get away with the last word.
While I was inducting the Commissioner to this higher level of rank, I quipped that the title of trainer was so rare and
special that it only lasted for the single day. Commissioner Nadon had a great laugh, but quickly retorted so that
everyone heard. He said: "Joe, I joined the Force before you were born!" As always, Commissioner Nadon turned the
tables on me!
Commissioner Nadon died on December 12, 2009. He is buried at the RCMP Memorial in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa,
Ontario. He is fondly remembered.
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Fort Healy, Canada. Circa 1902
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