Vets of the Month : January. 2009
by Corporal Keith Derksen, RCMP 'HQ',
and
by Cpl. Pete Garvey,
NCO i/c Chesterfield Inlet Detachment,
Nunavut.
by Corporal Keith Derksen, RCMP 'HQ',
and
by Cpl. Pete Garvey,
NCO i/c Chesterfield Inlet Detachment,
Nunavut.
The following is a memorial to two deceased members; Reg. #4152, Cst. Joseph Russell and Reg. #869 & 0.145, Inspector Murray Henry Edward Hayne.
They are buried side by side at Cape Fullerton, Nunavut at the site of the original RCMP Detachment.
Their story was brought to light by Corporal Keith Derksen of RCMP 'HQ' and his friend Cpl. Pete Garvey who is presently the NCO i/c Chesterfield Inlet
Detachment, Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut.
Background to this story had also been researched by Vet. Jack White of Kamloops, BC.
Reg. #4152, Cst. Joseph Russell
Reg. #4152, Cst. Joseph Russell
Jack White recorded that on July 5, 1905, Cst. Joseph Russell asked Reg.#4173, Cst. Andrew Stothert to go canoeing at Cape Fullerton. The two members set out
paddling among ice floes when, for some reason, Cst. Russell stood up, throwing both members into the frigid water.
Cst. Russell and Cst. Stothert were poor swimmers, but they began kicking to shore using paddles for buoyancy. At one point, some native boys on shore saw Cst. Russell
sink, however, Cst. Stothert made it safely to shore.
The body of Cst. Russell was found 3 hours later by Reg. #869, S/Sgt. M. E. H. Hayne who was In Charge of Fullerton Detachment.
A year later, S/Sgt. Hayne received his commission and was promoted to Inspector.
But, Inspector Hayne's new rank was accompanied by a sad, sad twist. Read on.
The graves of Reg. # 4152, Cst. Joseph Russell
and Reg. #869 / 0.145 Inspector Murray Henry Edward Hayne
The graves of Reg. # 4152, Cst. Joseph Russell
and Reg. #869 / 0.145 Inspector Murray Henry Edward Hayne
Reg. #869 / 0.145 Inspector Murray Henry Edward Hayne
Reg. #869 / 0.145 Inspector Murray Henry Edward Hayne
The story of S/Sgt. Hayne began this way. On June 1, 1895, S/Sgt Hayne was among the first members of a small troop to enter the Yukon whih was led by
Officer O.79, Supt. Charles Constantine. The group patrolled from Regina, SK to Seattle and then via the steamer "Excelsior" to Juneau, Alaska arriving on June 26,
1895.
On July 1, 1895, the group departed Fort Cudahy with guides and seven packs of 800 pounds of supplies. The groups began to build and by November, they
had established Fort Constantine which consisted of 9 buildings including one which was 75 feet (22 meters) in length.
In 1899, S/Sgt Hayne authored a book entitled 'Pioneers of the Klondyke'. A year later, he found himself in the midst of the South African War and he
was taken prisoner by the Boers.
Over the years, S/Sgt Hayne served in several pasts of Canada: 'F' Div., 'Depot', 'K', 'E', 'K', 'M' Div's and the South African War. When he returned to Canada,
he was posted to 'F' Div. and finally north again to 'G' Division.
Inspector Hayne died on April 18, 1906. He was 45 years of age. But, most regretfully, he received his Commission to Inspector on August 1, 1906 -- his promotion
date was 106 days after he had died!
S/Sgt. Hayne did not know that he had been promoted to Inspector -- because 'HQ' was unaware of his death due to the lack of communications!
Cst. Russell and Inspector Hayne are the only two members buried at Cape Fullerton, Nunavut.
We tip our Stetson to Cosntable Russell and Inspector Hayne.
The grave of Reg. # 4152, Cst. Joseph Russell
The grave of Reg. # 4152, Cst. Joseph Russell
The grave of Reg. #869 / 0.145 Inspector Murray Henry Edward Hayne
The grave of Reg. #869 / 0.145 Inspector Murray Henry Edward Hayne
Corporal Keith Derksen and Cpl. Pete Garvey collaborated together on the photographs.
Cpl. Derksen says:
Joe; 'Here are a few photos taken by Cpl. Pete Garvey of Chesterfield Inlet. The photos were taken in the summer of 2008 at Cape Fullerton, Nunavut which was
the original location of the RCMP Detachment. Cape Fullerton Detachment was opened in 1903 and closed in 1922 when the RCMP moved it to Chesterfield
Inlet. One photo is of the original Cape Fullerton Detachment.
The original Cape Fullerton Detachment
The original Cape Fullerton Detachment
The graves of Cst. Russell and Inspector Hayne. One of the grave stones had been broken, but the year before several other members were able to replace
it with a new one.
The man standing in the middle of the two stones is the local priest from Chesterfield Inlet. We have a GPS location on the graves should you
ever want them also.'
Corporal Pete Garvey adds: ' Joe, I was made aware of your website through Cpl. Derksen of Ottawa. He confired that you were provided copies
of the photos of the grave site of Cst. J. Russell and Inspector M.H.E. Hayne.
**The headstone of M.H.E. Hayne has his rank identified incorrectly -- it shows his rank as S/Sgt but it should actually be Inspector. I will attempt to
have this corrected this summer of 2009. I have the GPS location of the site as well.'
I sincerely thank each member who helped with this Memorial -- Vet Jack White, Cpl. Keith Derksen and Cpl. Pete Garvey. Thank you!
Reporting from the Fort,
J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
CLICK HERE : BUFFALO BLOG
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