KRAMERS, M. (Maarten)
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Troop Number and Year: TR. E 1966/67
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I was born on November 5th, 1946, in The Hague, Netherlands. My father was with the Dutch Colonial Army (KNIL) and I lived my early years in Indonesia. Our family returned to the Netherlands in 1952. In April of 1957, our family moved to Canada, where our father told us was more opportunity. We settled in Jasper Place and then Camrose, Alberta, and then moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and again to Ottawa, Ontario. I joined the Canadian Army Militia and served with the 2nd Battalion North Saskatchewan Regiment and The Governor General Foot Guards for 3½ years.
On July 14th, 1966, I joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and after six months of training, I was posted to Sydney, Nova Scotia. In July 1967, I was sent to Ottawa for three months equitation training, learning to ride a horse the “RCMP way”. I returned to Nova Scotia for one month before being called back to Ottawa as a member of the 1968/69 Musical Ride and two international tours.
In 1968 the RCMP Musical Ride performed in the Eastern and Southern USA as well as Hamilton, Bermuda – at the trot and then the gallop, finishing with the “charge” at the end. This was done with a troop of 32 riders that crisscrossed each other with formations that required precision and focus by the rider and his horse. Several months of rehearsal were required before leaving on tour. The horses and our equipment travelled by special train and the members were on a bus. The Bermuda visit was very unique in that the airport was 10 miles from Hamilton where our stables had been prepared. Three flights were required to get us there and when we got there, the airport was 10 miles from where the stables had been prepared. We rode the horses that distance coming and going, like riding off into the sunset. The Ride had been on tour for four months when we returned home.
The second year, 1969, the Ride travelled to England, Scotland, and Wales, where we performed at 15 Agricultural Shows and 4 Military Tattoos and also presented Burmese to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Our tour in the UK was the first since 1957 when the RCMP Musical Ride had been there. We performed for, escorted and were inspected by Royalty. Princess Ann touched the nose of my horse Warren. As our last event we attended the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. We were billeted in the Castle and the horses were stabled at a milk delivery stable.
We traveled to and from the UK with our horses on a KLM DC8. As always, the horses were in first class and the riders in Economy. Our horses always came first. We enjoyed an exceptional 4 1/2-month tour. The Musical Ride was a great experience and an honour. Whilst in England we had the privilege of presenting one of our Ride horses, Burmese, to Queen Elizabeth II: Starting in 1969, The Queen rode Burmese for the annual “Trooping of the Colours”, until 1986. Burmese retired in 1987 and died at the age of 28. Being on the Musical Ride, I considered the two years on the Ride, an experience that would be hard to equal anywhere. I was now really a “mounted” police officer. On our return to Canada, the second year Ride members were dispersed to different parts of Canada to continue their careers.
I returned to Nova Scotia. I had previously been stationed in Sydney and North Sydney and after the Ride I went to Digby, Barrington Passage, Windsor, Meteghan, Yarmouth, Guysborough, Truro, Barrington and Halifax. Whilst stationed in Barrington Passage I married Miss Donna Morrison on September 11, 1971. In 1973 our daughter was born in Windsor and in 1975 our son was born in Yarmouth. As a family we moved 8 times in 17 years.
All my service was in-uniform, about half on general policing and half on traffic duties. As part of my regular duties, I was an Accident Reconstructionist and became an expert witness in that field. During my career, I was the NCO in Charge of two Detachments: (Districts) Guysborough as a Corporal and as a Sergeant in Barrington. In 1992, with 26 years of service, I retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant and Traffic Supervisor for “H” Div.
I began my second career as the Nova Scotia Chief Firearms Officer. Firearm control was a federal responsibility, and I administered the program for Nova Scotia. I was involved in the development and administration of this responsibility of the universal firearm registration and licensing of firearm owners and insuring those with firearms had registered same and were not a risk to possess guns. This was a very busy position, but enjoyable. After 19 years, I retired in November 2011 with a 45-year career in public safety.
Divisions Served: H, N, H
Medals and Honours: Long Service Medal with Bronze Clasp; Nova Scotia Police Service Medal
Regimental Number: #24966
Training Division: Depot
Troop Number and Year: TR. E 1966/67
Home Town: Ottawa, ON
Engagement Date: Jul 14, 1966