In honour and recognition of the RCMP’s 150th Anniversary, a small RCMP exhibit has been set up at the Western GM Gallery at the Badlands Community Facility.
The exhibit includes uniforms and artifacts from the eras of the North West Mounted Police, Royal North West Mounted Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and includes RCMP uniforms and artifacts from military service.
“We are still making some small adjustments and additions, but it is open for viewing and we are proud of it. We invite everyone to stop by and have a look at some of the things that represent our foundation, traditions, and long history of service to Canada”, said Staff Sergeant Robert Harms.
Shortly after Harms arrived at the Drumheller Detachment he was impressed by the display that was put up around Remembrance Day at the gallery and felt it would fitting to put something together for the 150th year of the RCMP. He was connected with local collector and history enthusiast Larry Coney.
Coney has been collecting military memorabilia since he was 14 and has a vast collection of RCMP uniforms, with the oldest dating back to 1873, as well as patches and medallions. His collection has rare items that demonstrate how the RMCP served, including during wartime and on the sea.
There is also a collection of images detailing some of the local history of policing in the valley, including detachment photos. There is also a corner dedicated to Charles Paris and Michael Moriarty, both of whom perished in the line of duty while serving in Drumheller.
“It’s a reminder of faces that served the community and the changes that have happened,’ said Harms. “It is important for us to honour and remember.”
Betty Manning of the Drumheller Geneology Club also contributed to the gallery with a display on police dogs. This includes photos of Robert Leard. This was Manning’s mother-in-law’s father. He came to serve with the RCMP from Prince Edward Island to Alberta in 1900. He was the only officer on duty the evening of the Frank slide. When his police contact expired, he became a miner and eventually made his way to Drumheller and was a foreman at the Rosedale Mine.
Tamara LaFrenz and her family contributed a full-scale display horse for the exhibit.
The Exhibit will be on display for July at the Badlands Community Facility, then most of it moved to the Drumheller Badlands Historical Centre at 335 1st Street East for further display to the public till the end of the year or longer.
