Regina, Saskatchewan, Aug. 24, 2007 – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Annual Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, September 9, 2007 at the RCMP Academy, "Depot" Division.
The Service honours members, special constables and auxiliary constables who have lost their lives in response to an operational policing duty in which there was the element of life-threatening risk.
While no members have lost their lives in the line of duty since the 2006 Memorial Service, an amendment to the criteria has resulted in the historical inclusion of five fallen members. Their names have been inscribed on the Cenotaph, Honour Roll and Memorial Wall Plaques, bringing the total number of fallen members to 218 since the creation of the North West Mounted Police in 1873. The names of the five members are:
Honour Roll # 214
S/Cst. Nancy Marie Puttkemery
Regimental Number S/3367
Served September 29, 1975 - December 9, 1989
Died as a result of an aircraft accident on December 9, 1989 at Crossfield, Alberta.
Honour Roll # 215
S/Cst. Vincent Norman Timms, C.D.
Regimental Number S/1969
Served January 18, 1978 - December 9, 1989
Died as a result of an aircraft accident on December 9, 1989 at Crossfield, Alberta.
Honour Roll # 216
Sgt. Edwin Michael Mobley
Regimental Number 32787
Served September 2, 1975 - August 15, 2000
Died as a result of an aircraft accident on August 15, 2000 at Teslin Lake, British Columbia.
Honour Roll # 217
S/Cst. Timothy James Nicholson
Regimental Number S/3863
Served April 1, 1992 - August 15, 2000
Died as a result of an aircraft accident on August 15, 2000 at Teslin Lake, British Columbia.
Honour Roll # 218
Cst. Joseph Martial Maurice Jean Minguy
Regimental number 37655
Served March 16, 1982 - June 3, 2005
Died while testing an inland water transport on June 3, 2005 at Lake Okanagan, British Columbia
The Memorial Service begins at 9 a.m. with a parade and service at the Cenotaph, an enduring tradition that started in the mid-1930s, when RCMP members came to Sleigh Square to honour their fallen comrades. This is followed by a Chapel service and a ceremony at the Memorial Wall. "Depot" Division will host members from British Columbia ("E" Division), Alberta ("K" Division), Saskatchewan ("F" Division) and the North West Region, as well as cadets and veterans.
Note that this year, at a private ceremony held the evening before, Commissioner Bill Elliott will present an RCMP Memorial Memento to the next-of-kin of the members whose names have been added to the Cenotaph. The front of the Memento – an antique-tone and lacquered sterling silver medallion – is engraved with the crest and motto of the RCMP on a police badge with regimental number surrounded by maple leaves. The reverse side is engraved with rank, name and service dates.
To learn more about the Cenotaph, the Memorial Wall Plaques and the Honour Roll, please visit the following site:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/honours_recog/lineduty/cenotaph_e.htm
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For more information contact:
Sergeant Serge Robitaille
NCO i/c
Communications & Events Management Services
RCMP Depot Division
306-780-6371
306-537-6491(cellular)
