VET OF THE MONTH : December 2008

by J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy

Our first December Vet story is dedicated to Troop # 17-1974/1975 and most especially to deceased members: Reg.#31814 Beverly Karen Hosker and Reg.#31819 Anne Valerie Prichard. Their deaths have left a gap in our lives -- missing friendships which goes back to 1974.

In 1974, recruits Karen Hosker and Valerie Prichard were members of the first female troop to join the RCMP. The Troop made Canadian history and they left a legacy of proud accomplishments and friendships at 'Depot'. Unquestionably, those months were the best of all our lives although no one completely realized it at the time.

A rare, new event in the history of the Force unfolded at 'Depot' -- a class of women encountered a corral of men -- smart, confident, career engaged women destined to make Canadian history again and again. Off limit, strictly controlled, male only access inside the stables was made possible by women for woman -- the stale air in the stalls was refreshed -- Canadians accepted the new ride and its revised tour schedule and in turn Troop 17 envigorated other women to enter all sorts of professions.

The RCMP, a huge Canadian cookie jar, with desserts of similiar composition had been protected in the pantry for one hundred years -- was finally opened and served providing company with a new flavoured regimental taste which infused the entire recipe.

Troop 17 were also choral members of a memorable Christmas Carol Festival which was held in December 1974 at ‘Depot’. First, the background.

In 1973, I had completed eight years of service rotating between 'E' Div (BC) and 'L' Div. (PEI). Unexpectedly, I was interviewed and chosen for an Instructional position in the Law Unit at 'Depot'. Here, I had a one in a life time opportunity and the good fortune to meet hundreds of hard working male and female recruits in class while undertaking their basic training.

My instructional tour in ‘Depot’, Regina from 1973 to 1976 allowed me to become acquainted with eager and dedicated young people as they sought to become full fledged members of the RCMP. I was among one of the original instructors for Troop 17 and curiously my teaching topic was 'History of the Force'.

In addition to their regular workload, many recruits and instructors participated in a variety of ‘Depot’ on-base activities, including: Big Brothers and Big Sisters, dances, photography, band, scuba diving, chess or competitive hockey and baseball. These non-direct police activities were fun, good-spirited and interesting because they gave everyone a diversion away from the stress of constant study, exams or police duties and thus provided well needed relief.

Due to my lifelong interest in music, the CO, Chief Superintendent H. P. Tadeson asked me to enlist and direct the Chapel Volunteer Choir. Over my three year ‘Depot’ tour, several hundred very, very special recruits became ‘Singing Angels’. Finding sufficient number of singers and musical talent for Sunday service among the recruit population was rarely a problem. This is how it worked.

Recruits who, during the week, had fallen out of favour with the Sergeant Major were penalized to the Guardroom for a weekend of extra duties such as washing police cars or security foot patrols. The recruit’s ‘offence’ might have been being late for class, falling asleep in class, failing to salute an Officer, failing to get a haircut or neglecting an academic assignment.

A Christmas Carol Festival – ‘Depot’

On Saturdays as I entered the Guardroom I would point to each of the ‘problem’ recruits and shout: “You, you and you! Report to the Chapel at 2PM for singing practice!” The recruits had little choice but to comply and thus, I gained instant prospective singers for Sunday! Since these recruits were already ‘serving time’ and confined to ‘Depot’, they were good natured and laughed about the methods which I employed to rope them in. However, not only did they report to the Chapel at 2PM for choral practice but quite often they brought along a favorite guitar or another friend to lend moral support. The recruits were already busy so I kept the choir practices short (20 minutes) and the recruits took the Chapel experience in stride.

In September 1974, Troop 17 made Canadian history as they were the first all female class to join the Force. About a month after their arrival, Troop 17 heard about my plans to form a special choir to celebrate Christmas with a Carol Festival of songs. It was to be held in the Chapel. Troop 17 also knew that I was desperate for singers so they approached me and unhesitatingly offered to lend their voices to the few male recruits from the Guardroom whom I had previously taken prisoner.

As the weeks leading up to Christmas passed by, all the recruits who enlisted for the Carol Festival remained faithful and looked forward to their choral practice. Many civilian ‘Depot’ staff, spouses and their children also joined in with the Choir.

In the fall of 1974, the recruits got into the Christmas spirit. They put their hearts and good spirit into the task of learning the Christmas list of carols. Sunday, December 15, 1974 was chosen as the date for the Carol Festival and the choir was asked to sing two performances; one Sunday afternoon and another again Sunday evening.

Leading up to the Carol Festival, the recruits and staff helped to decorate the Chapel with trees, lights and candles. Seating capacity was limited in the Chapel but guests from Regina and the ‘Depot’ community attended to listen to a ‘one of a kind’ Christmas musical experience. It was a very emotional day in the colourful and historical setting of the RCMP Chapel.

Local TV and radio stations taped portions of the Choir Festival for replays during Christmas. The audience thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to the rich voices of the male and female recruits of Troop 17. Along the way, the audience often joined the recruits singing. One recruit, possibly Bev Busson of Troop 17, was so thrilled with the Festival performances that she mentioned the possibility of producing a record! Nashville next!

At the mid-point of each performance the recruits and the invited guests were equally generous when a collection was taken up and the donations were given to a Regina charity. It was a very special day in my life and in the lives of Troop 17.

Since that celebration of Christmas in 1974, most of the ‘Singing Angels’ have probably forgotten the significance of a dotted quarter note, but I’m sure they have not forgotten their fond memories, friends, the Carol Festival or the Christmas hymns they sung that December day at ‘Depot’. In the end, everyone had worked especially hard to make the Christmas Choir Festival a truly worthy and memorable event. Surprisingly, after all these years, I am reminded by former recruits of the 1974 Carol Festival!

Troop 17 graduated. The women were posted to all quarters of Canada. Over the years, however, two women of Troop 17 passed away. At Christmas, I think that all the recruits of 1974, their family and friends think of them.

Karen Hosker was born on May 28, 1955 at Fort St. John, BC and she joined the Force also in Fort St. John on September 16, 1974. She served in ‘E’ Division and, later in her career, she was selected as the first woman NCO in charge of an RCMP detachment – Wells Detachment in ‘E’ Division. Corporal Beverly Karen Hosker died at Prince George, BC on August 17, 2003 as a result of a traffic accident. Karen is buried in Prince George, BC.

Anne Valerie Pritchard was born at Glasgow, Scotland. She joined the RCMP on September 16, 1974 at Toronto, ON. After recruit training, Anne served at Colwood Detachment in ‘E’ Division until she took her discharge from the Force on August 15, 1975. Anne died August 4, 1991 at Mission, BC at 46 years of age. She is buried in Mission, BC.

The chief Supervisor for Troop 17 was Cpl. Kenneth Frederick George Wilkins. Over the years, Ken served in ‘E’, “K”, ‘Depot’ and ‘O’ Divisions. He retired from the Force as a S/Sgt on January 5, 1986. Ken passed away on June 24, 2003 at St. Catharine’s, Ontario. Ken was a gentle and wise man and he was deeply committed to the professional development of Troop 17. He too is remembered.

Christmas is meant to be a time of joy, but it’s hard not to reflect upon family, members and special friends who have touched our lives and since passed away.

Beverly Karen Hosker and Anne Valerie Prichard of Troop 17/1974 were two very special women. The participated in Canadian history and they made a wonderful and memorable contribution to the RCMP. And to the 1974 Christmas Carol Festival at ‘Depot’.

In the RCMP, Troop 17 was an historical group of Canadian women. In addition to all the stesses of their regular workload at 'Depot', they were also enthusiastic singing volunteers and a special part of a memorable Christmas Carol Festival. Thank you!

Reporting from the Fort,

J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy

Photo credit: Ottawa Vet Larry Ward

Fort Healy, Canada. Circa 1974

'Maintain Our Memories'

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