Vet of the Month: September, 2010

Reg.#515, S/Sergeant 'Patsy' James William Carroll

by 'E' Div. Vet. Sheldon Boles

Sheldon Boles is the contributor for our September, 2010 Vet. of the Month story of 'Patsy' James William Carroll. RIP

Sheldon is retired from the Force, is an avid RCMP historian and he presently lives in British Columbia.

'Patsy' was the endearing nickname given to James William Carroll and he was one of the first to join the NWMP as Reg.#515. Records were not well kept during the time of James William Carroll and the lack of exactness can lead one into the land of confusion. One might say that his career was a series of 'ups and downs'.

Carroll's Service File tell us that he was born sometime around 1863. His date of birth on his grave marker is November 25, 1862 but the 1901 Census mentions him living in Alberta and his date of birth is recorded as August 15, 1857. Vet. Jack White has Carroll's place of birth as Ireland.

We do know that our Vet. James William Carroll joined the Force as a constable on June 7, 1881 and over the span of fifteen years, he was stationed at Battleford, Regina, Fort Pitt, Cut Knife, and Duck Lake. In 1885, at the outset of the Riel Rebellion, Carroll left the NWMP for employment with Dominion Telegraph. Sometime later, he was employed by the Indian Department.

At one point in 1891, Carroll had attained the rank of Sergeant. He was transferred into the Quartermaster's Stores and his Service File notes that he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.

However, while in Stores, Carroll was charged in Service Court because he misappropriated hay out of the Force supply. Some believe he gave part of the hay to the Commissioned Officers while others think he converted it to feed his own animals.

The 'hay' incident plagued Carroll for time thereafter. He was reduced to the rank of constable plus he also had to replay the value of the hay. When it came time for Carroll to retire from the Force, he was Constable Carroll.

Our Vet. Carroll was married at the time of his retirement and his wife was employed as a cook for the Force. When he requested to re-engage into the Force, Carroll was told that he would only be taken on at the rank of constable because he was married. Consequently, he never re-engaged.

In 1894, Carroll was awarded a silver medal for being the best shot in the Force. He was also awarded the Northwest Rebellion Medal for participating in the North West Rebellion.

After retirement, Carroll was employed as a street car conductor in Prince Albert, SK. From 1912 to 1913, he was a Town Councillor in Battleford, SK. At the time of his death in 1915, Carroll was a member of the 9th Canadian Rifles.

Vet. Carroll is buried in Battleford Cemetery. Although he had been reduced to a constable upon retirement, his grave stone notes his rank as Staff Sergeant.

Let's suppose the error in rank on Carroll's gravestone was made deliberately as a way of saying that he had paid his price to the Force. Is he not deserving to be remembered by his rank of Staff Sergeant?

Let it be. Let him rest.

We thank Vet. Jack White for his research which has helped us to compile our 'Vet of the Month' story.

Vet. Sheldon Boles,
British Columbia, Canada

'Maintain Our Memories'

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Thanks Sheldon for the twists and turns story of Vet. 'Patsy' Carroll.

In this month of September, 2010, we take time to tip our Stetson to S/Sgt. James William Carroll of the NWMP

Reporting from the Fort,

J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy

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CLICK HERE : BUFFALO BLOG

Fort Healy, Canada. Circa 1881

'Maintain Our Memories'

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