True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: March, 2016
O.381, Chief Superintendent Eric Porter
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
In the many years gone by, members of the Force were expected to be transferred several times across the width of Canada and overseas too in some cases. An ample supply of transfers simply came with an RCMP career.
The cost associated to transfers was not a major concern since in the early days many RCMP members were not married nor did they have families nor had they acquired sufficient personal belongings which would give need for moving companies.
Throughout his long policing career, Chief Superintendent Eric Porter experienced several relocations across Canada as well as to Europe during WWII. His numerous transfers were mentioned in his obituary in The Quarterly and it provided a good overview of the ways of the early Force as well as Eric Porter's long and varied RCMP career.
Eric Porter was born on October 18, 1907 at Grand Junction, Colorado. After immigrating to Canada from the USA, he joined the RCMP at Edmonton, AB on November 1, 1933, and soon afterwards he was on the train heading to 'Depot' in Regina, SK for Basic Recruit Training.
After 'Depot', Eric Porter's first transfer took him to Alberta and over the next five years he bounced from Peace River, to McLennan, to Notikewin and to Edmonton. On July 4, 1939, he was moved to Vancouver, BC. to experience a new environment in policing but WWII was just around the corner.
Leading up to WWII, Commissioner L. H. Nicholson pushed forward the idea that RCMP members be granted permission to create the No. 1 Provost Corps and to accompany the 1st Canadian Infantry Division to Europe.
Constable Porter was determined to contribute to the war effort and soon he volunteered for overseas service. In the fall of 1939, Constable Porter moved from Vancouver, BC to 'N' Division in Ottawa, ON to train with the No. 1 Provost Corps. His brief training course consisted ofmilitary law, army drill and how to drive the Norton motorcycle.
In Europe, Porter served honourably from 1939 to 1945. He attained the rank of Captain with the No. 1 Provost Corps. He was demobilized in 1945 and he returned to the RCMP. Porter was reputed to have performed extremely well in Europe, so upon his return to Canada he was posted to police duties in Calgary, AB and he was promoted to Corporal. One month later, he was promoted to Sergeant.
In 1946, Eric Porter received his Commission to Sub-Inspector, and he was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Branch in Ottawa, ON. The job at Headquarters gave Porter a broader exposure to the national scene as well as a wider lens to view criminal cases which fell under the jurisdiction of the RCMP.
On December 1, 1948, Porter was promoted to Inspector and he was transferred once again in the role of Duty Officer at 'Depot' Division in Regina, SK. Traditionally, the Duty Officer is a Junior Inspector's appointment. In those days, he was given the responsibility of monitoring reports of criminal activity within a specified area and then reporting the events to the Commanding Officer. After one year at 'Depot', Porter was transferred to the role of Duty Officer in Winnipeg, MB.
In 1952, Porter was transferred to an administrative job in Headquarters in Ottawa, ON then a few months later he was moved to St. John's, NL as the Assistant Criminal Operations Officer.
In 1957, Porter was transferred as the Officer Commanding (OC) of Calgary Sub-Division, then in 1959, he was appointed Commanding Officer of 'Depot' Division in Regina, SK. He was promoted to Superintendent in 1960.
In 1962, Porter was transferred back to Calgary, AB in the role of Criminal Operations Officer. In 1965, he was promoted to Chief Superintendent and he was moved again as the Commanding Officer of 'H' Division in Halifax, NS. After a long and varied police career, Eric Porter retired in November, 1968.
Eric Porter was a highly successful and experienced police officer and he accepted an unusual number of relocations across Canada over the span of his career. In sum, Eric Porter was transferred about 17 times over his 35 year RCMP career. It is very unlikely today that any RCMP members would be subjected to the same number of transfers as happened to Eric Porter.
All in all, Chief Superintendent Eric Porter dedicated himself to the service of Canada during war and peace. He was awarded The War Medal, The France & Germany Star, The Italy Star, The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, and the RCMP Long Service Medal, Gold Clasp & Stars. The RCMP has always been very proud of Chief Superintendent Porter's accomplishments.
Eric Porter's last wish was for his ashes to be scattered from an airplane over Fort Walsh, SK. The Cessna flight out over the prairies was his final transfer. xR. I. P.
Eric Porter's obituary was listed in The Quarterly. Winter. 1980. V45(1).
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
March 23, 2016
