True and Fascinating Canadian History
The 140TH Anniversary Of Canada's National Police Force
1873 - 2013
Welcome to Canada's National RCMP Graves Inspection and Maintenance Information Website. Here is a home, a detachment of repose, a depot for deceased members of the North West Mounted Police (NWMP), the Royal North West Mounted Police (RNWMP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Members of the Force, RCMP Vets, family and friends sense an obligation to protect and care for the graves of deceased members.
This website consists of three main parts; the website itself, a database and a Buffalo Blog. Each of these can be navigated by using the tabs to the left.
The website celebrates good deeds -- stories of deceased members and their accomplishments. There are fascinating mysteries pertaining to mistakes noticed on grave markers. There is a catalog of monuments which have been erected in various parts of Canada to commemorate RCMP members killed in the line of duty. The fact that a monument was built by a community of people for a deceased Canadian police officer speaks highly about the overall trust which Canadians have in the RCMP.
The database holds over 22,500 names of members of the Force going back to 1873. Information regarding individual deceased members of the Force and their grave is also provided in the database.
Over 5,000 gravesites across Canada and around the world have been photographed by RCMP Vets and volunteers and entered into the database. Hundreds of old, previously unknown, lost or forgotten gravesites have been found, clearly identified and entered into the database. It is the hope of Vets that all members' graves will be found, noted, inspected and cared for and that common information about the career and life of each member of the Force will be acknowledged.
The Buffalo Blog serves two purposes; first, it identifies the location of recent gravesites found by volunteers and secondly, it acts as an important archive for photographs donated to the website. Contributions in the form of stories and photographs are always encouraged and welcomed.
History on Parade
Many aspects of Canadian history are interwoven with the times of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and its predecessors the NWMP and the RNWMP. Contained within this website is a history rich in texture, recollections, photographs and deeds of the Force. The stories told here have their origin from the earliest birthdays of Canada and the formation of the Force in 1873 up to today. The history of Canada and the history of the RCMP run along parallel tracks.
The National RCMP Graves Inspection and Maintenance Information Website exists as a testament to deceased members of the Force, their legacy and contribution to Canada's history and especially their dedication and sacrifice towards the development and hope of a peaceful country.
Mission Statement
Veterans of the RCMP are dedicated to the responsibility of locating, inspecting and maintaining gravesites of deceased Members with the purpose of honouring and remembering these men and women who have dedicated their lives to the service of Canada and the Force.
'Maintain Our Memories' has been adopted as the motto of the website. It calls to mind both the official Motto of the RCMP which is; 'Maintiens Le Droit' and our need to remember. The motto pays homage to the Force, to the service of community performed by members and the lives sacrificed by many members killed on duty.
Goals
The goals of the National RCMP Graves Inspection and Maintenance Information Website are:
1. to create a thorough and accurate record of the burial locations of NWMP, RNWMP and RCMP deceased members,
2. to ensure that the graves of our deceased members are regularly inspected and maintained.
An Invitation
Vets, active Members, families and friends are invited to become involved in RCMP Graves Inspection and Maintenance activities. Much data has yet to be collected. Many volunteers are needed to aid the investigation of cemeteries, as well as to assume responsibility for inspections of gravesites as they are found. Input that contributes to this website is welcome. The involvement of many will make the work associated to this project possible.
I am honoured to be involved in the meaningful task of remembering and offering continued respect to our deceased RCMP Members.
*No confidential or private information appears on this website. All database research on [www.rcmpgraves.com] comes from public sources including; The Quarterly, the internet, Archives Canada, grave markers, cemetery records, university libraries, newspapers, books and Canadian magazines. Sources of information are noted in the database.
Site Status:
Web Site Refreshed: Every day
Database Refreshed: Every Week
Buffalo Blog Rrefreshed: 'Whenever news is grave or sooner'
