Vet of the Month : December, 2010
A Memorial dedicated to
Reg.#10217, Constable Samuel Leys Dustan
by Vet. J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
A Memorial dedicated to
Reg.#10217, Constable Samuel Leys Dustan
by Vet. J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
This can only be described as a sad story for two reasons; first, not much is known about our December, 2010 Vet.
of the Month and secondly, he died at a very young age.
The story of this man's life is written with the help of Vet. Jack White and serving member Michel Allain, A/Archives
Analyst/analyste intérimaire d'archives Archives Management Section/Section de la gestion des archives, Royal Canadian
Mounted Police/Gendarmerie royale du Canada in Ottawa, Ontario.
Our friend was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on November 9, 1904 -- perhaps, it was the worst of times for men of the
times because World War II in 1939 meant that he and many others would likely become Canadian soldiers and casualities.
Our Vet. joined the RCMP on July 15, 1926 and he underwent basic training at 'Depot' Div. in Regina. He served in the north
and in 'E' Div. (British Columbia). On March 26, 1928, he was found to be intoxicated and fined $10.00. Afterwards, he
stayed out of trouble and in fact went on to win some glory and fame.
According to Vet. Jack White, our friend was one of the background horse riders in the famous and popular
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie 'Rose Marie' which was partially filmed in the Lynn Canyon area of North Vancouver, BC. I think we
can speculate that our Vet. was not only on top of his horse with all the excitement and commotion but he was also on
top of the world.
In 1936, his riding abilities led him to join the RCMP Musical Ride and he appeared at the Rose Festival,
in Portland, Oregon.
We don't know the full reasons for him to quit the Force. Perhaps, he needed excitement and adventure. He took his
discharge from the RCMP on March 14, 1938 -- just prior to WWII.
At the outbreak of WWII, our Vet. went overseas as a Canadian soldier. He joined the the Royal Canadian Engineers as
a Lance Corporal and we know from Commonwealth War Graves records that his Service # was C/19564.
At some point, he received serious injuries and he was sent back to Canada.
Reg.#10217, Samuel Leys Dustin died in a Ottawa hospital on July 27, 1943. 
RIP
He was 38 years of age.
Today, Constable Dustin lies in Pinecrest Cemetery in Ottawa. Farewell our friend in 'Rose Marie'.
RIP
I'd like to sincerely thank 'E' Div. Vet. Jack White and Ottawa member Michel Allain for their help
with our Vet. of the Month story dedicated to Constable Samuel Keys Dustan.
He gave his life for Canada.
We pause during the month of December, 2010 and tip our Stetson to him.
Reporting from the Fort,
Buffalo J. J. (Joe) Healy
December 1, 2010
December 1, 2010
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