This collection all started when my sister sent me a Mountie postcard sort of as a joke, being so iconic of Canada (we both live in BC). It started a 2-3 year correspondence to each other via different Mountie postcards. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. (notice the write-ups all say the "famed" or "famous"... well, if they weren't before, I guess they are now.
The current Canadian flag, the Maple Leaf, made its first appearance on February 15, 1965; the date is now celebrated annually as National Flag of Canada Day. It is marked by flying the flag, occasional public ceremonies - like the one in this postcard, and educational programs in schools. It is not a public holiday, but there's always room for more holidays ;)
A troop of the world famous RCMP attending the raising of the new flag
(rec'd in 1994)
A member of the famed Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Vancouver, BC
(rec'd 1996)
A member of the famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police set against a majestic background
(rec'd1994, Canadian Rockies - could be Moraine Lake, Banff or Lake Louise)
Troop Inspection of the world famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(rec'd 1994)
The famed Royal Canadian Mounted Police drilling for the colourful Musical Ride
(rec'd 1994)
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)'s Musical Ride is a formal show styling the "equestrian" skills perfomed by 32 regular members of the force, which would be called "Calvary". Growing up, I remember seeing it at many large events (Vancouver's Expo '86), I believe they used to do it at the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) which is an annual fair. The first "Official" Musical Ride was held in 1887 in Regina, Saskatchewan, the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Which now holds the RCMP Heritage center where you can still see the Musical Ride.
Horse and wagon were the transportation of the day when the Mounties first policed Canada. The Musical Ride preserves the horsemanship tradition today. (rec'd in 1997)
An officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police sits his horse beside a colorful Canadian Indian Chief in full head-dress (rec'd 1994)
*note* the spelling of colorful suggests to me this is an american postcard, as we spell it with a "u" in Canada, being colourful. Even though this last postcard was printed in BC, I find it odd it does not suggest what nation / tribe this Native Chief may be from. There is no publishing date on the postcard, but I suspect it is from an earlier time.
A member of the famed ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE
(no post-date on card, but postage says should be 4¢ cdn)
RCMP Constable on Parliament Hill, Ottawa
This one is actually post-dated 1958 & postage was 4¢ Cdn
Not sure of the date on this one, but notice the UK Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack or Royal Union Flag, Canada used from 1801 to present as part of the Commonwealth
On July 24, 1895 Inspector Constantine and 19 policemen began construction of Fort Constantine. Their orders were to establish Canadian Sovereignty and Law in a vast wilderness soon to experience the Klondike Gold Rush.
Inspector Charles Constantine and Staff Sergeant Charles Brown were the first members of the NWMP to enter the Yukon by the Chilkoot Pass route. Landing at Skagway, Alaska on June 29, 1894. On July 25, 1895, Fort Constantine became the first permanent police post in the wilderness that was to become the Yukon Territory.
Members of the RCMP stand guard in Dawson Creek by the historic landmark Mile "O" Post, the starting point of the world famous Alaska Highway. (rec'd 1997)
Wearing his scarlet tunic (Red Serge), this officer sits astride his mount, symbolic of the era before the automobile was available. The RCMP force still remains a dominant symbol for law and order in Canada
