ROBERTSON, W.I. (Ian – ‘Scotty’)
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Troop Number and Year: TR. A 1966/67
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Ian “Scotty” Robertson was raised on a farm near Perth, Scotland. In high school he began thinking about what he would do with his life. His younger brother could take over the farm, so he started looking at options. Like many Scots before him, he replied to an ad for a position in Canada, with the Hudson’s Bay Company at Inuvik in Canada’s Arctic. He got the job and in 1962, at eighteen years of age, he crossed the Atlantic by ship (6 days at sea), rode the train Winnipeg, then on to Edmonton which was the Western Area Headquarters. He flew north from Edmonton, then by bush planes further north. During his 3-year contract he worked at six locations: Fifth Meridian, AB; Meander River, AB; Fort Chipewyan, AB; McLeod Lake, BC; Fort Babine, BC; and Arctic Red River, NWT, 100 miles south of Inuvik.
With his HBC contract coming due, Scotty considered his next steps and chose to follow in the footsteps of the RCMP member who ran a one-man Detachment in Arctic Red River. On April 13th, 1966, he was sworn in at Inuvik & headed off to Recruit Training at Depot Division in Regina, SK. as a member of A Troop 1966/67, which happened to be the last troop to take equitation as part of the Recruit Training Program. The Troop’s primary Instructor was Rough Rider, Cpl. Tex Shearer. Little did Scotty know at the time, that he and two of his troop mates, Mike Zelyck and Darwin Flemming all would end up as members of the Musical Ride, at approximately the same time, and in relatively short order.
In 1966, the horses at Depot were sold off or transferred to the Musical Ride in Ottawa and the Rough Riders were transferred to Ottawa as well. In October of 1966 “A” troop graduated, and Scotty was transferred west to his first posting at Revelstoke Detachment in “E” Division (BC). His next posting was a short one, at Mica Creek, (a two-man Detachment). From there he was transferred to the Equitation Course in Ottawa and in October 1967, was posted to the Musical Ride for a two-year international tour that included the USA, Bermuda, England, Wales and ending his tour in his birth country, Scotland.
He left the Ride in October 1969 and returned west to “E” Division once again, this time to Merrit Detachment. He naturally settled into Detachment life and duties as a general duty officer and along the way he met a young lady, with whom he was quite attached. However, duty called and Constable Robertson, a single man, was posted to a one-man detachment for about a month in Falkland, then to Spences Bridge, then a year in Anaheim Lake and once again back to Alexis Creek.
In 1972 he returned to Merrit Detachment. And that young lady he had left behind? Well, she was still around, and soon to become a much more permanent part of Scotty’s life. He married Miss Mary Takeshita on the 8th of December 1972.
Transfers were not over, but at least he now had his life partner to accompany him wherever his postings took them. Scotty & Mary's first posting together, was Kamloops Sub Division, where Scotty became the local Livestock Detective.
Scotty finished off his service with postings in Alexis Lake, General Duty in Williams Lake, then to Crescent Valley Detachment as a Corporal and NCO I/C.
From there, the family was off to Prince George Detachment where he worked plain clothes on GIS. His last posting took him to Osysoos, as a Sergeant and NCO I/C of the Detachment. This was his last posting: Scotty retired on the 12th day of December, 1995 with 29 years of service: 10 different postings, 3 one-man Detachments, mostly general duties, 2 yrs with GIS and 4 years as Livestock Theft Investigator.
In retirement, Scotty went to work on a ranch, driving a cattle truck. Then he and Mary spent fifteen years leasing a place and running their own cows and he also worked at a local cattle auction. Some thirty years into retirement he continues working at different ranches in the summer, helping with cattle, driving tractor and a hay truck. In the winter he builds bird houses and chicken coops.
Scotty & Mary have two children, both boys. The eldest, Dale, was born in Merritt and the youngest, Murray, was born in Kamloops. Both boys remained in the BC interior and still live within driving distance of their parent’s retirement home.
Scotty thinks he might slow down next year, but maybe not. Life has been good, Mary and he are in good health, both boys have good jobs, and they have 2 grand kids.
Reflecting back on his service, Scotty had this to say: “I rode lots of horses since the Ride and chased lots of cows. Horses were good for me. I really liked travelling with the horses on our tours. Going to Windsor Castle to give Burmese to the Queen was pretty special. And how many people get a paid holiday to Bermuda? I enjoyed being stationed alone, it made me think and be alert when back-up was not coming. Livestock investigations were right up my alley. But basically, catching bad guys was what I liked best.
Story submitted by Ian Robertson
May 29, 2025
Divisions Served: N, E
Medals and Honours: RCMP Long Service Medal with Bronze Clasp
Regimental Number: #24686
Training Division: Depot
Troop Number and Year: TR. A 1966/67
Home Town: Perth, Scotland
Engagement Date: Apr 13, 1966