TROOP 36 1974/75

Troop Number and Year: TR. 36 1974/75

Location: “B” RT OF CTR

“Troop 36 or Bust”!  Singer Helen Reddy’s iconic 1972 song, “I am Woman” became our mantra as we marched, ran or bussed together from one training point to another at ‘Depot’.

At first, we wore so-called “fatigues” as clothing at ‘Depot’.  Our fatigues (female members only) were common blue mechanic-like coveralls with a long zipper up the front. This less than flattering apparel was topped off with a little pillbox hat with a peak. The ensemble was complemented with white canvas sneakers or, depending upon the occasion, sturdy black oxford shoes with heels. We considered the fatigue uniform quite the fashion statement! Eventually, fatigues gave way to our regular RCMP uniform, and we were ecstatic when it finally arrived so that we could feel more like actual police officers in basic training.

And through everything, we were so fortunate to have Corporal Joe Healy as our Troop Counsellor. Joe had the challenge to lead us and as a Troop, we think he had an interesting job of helping 32 women integrate into a male dominated environment and navigate their way through RCMP basic training. He was wonderful in his role. We owe him so much and we thank Joe profusely.

When our six months at ‘Depot’ was completed, we graduated from ‘Depot’ and then headed off to our first Detachment postings across Canada. Many of our Troop went on to have long and satisfying careers in the Force with our longest serving Troopmate retiring after 36 years of RCMP service.

Some of us married fellow RCMP members but at that time, the RCMP did not allow married members to be stationed together. This policy meant that some troopmates had to choose between the Force or their spouses and so some of us consequently left the RCMP prior to pensionable service -- these women certainly did not want to leave the RCMP but at the time they truly felt that they were given no choice.

We had our first Troop Reunion in 1990, on our 15th Anniversary of service in the RCMP. Troopmates traveled from across Canada to be together in Ottawa. We have held a reunion every five years since then. Our first reunion was all about, “remember when” and we laughed and cried over things that happened in ‘Depot’ and in the first few years of our RCMP careers. Eventually, we also held one reunion in Las Vegas!  As time went on, each subsequent reunion became more about who we are today, about our families, and of how our lives have evolved since the previous reunion. We are always amazed at how we are able to “pick up where we left off” from the last reunion, how we still deeply appreciate each other, how we trust and support one another, how we can share all of our experiences no matter what they are, and how we can still laugh wholeheartedly together through it all. Thinking back, all of us met challenges, some greater than others, but as a Troop we are all truly thankful that we were brought together as we have become such good, life-long friends.

Sadly, we lost one of our troopmates very early on.  Our Troopmate Joanne Horn passed away in Chilliwack, BC in 2005.  Joanne was first posted to Saskatchewan after graduating from ‘Depot’ Division in 1975, but she was involved in an off-duty motor vehicle accident in 1979 which left her incapacitated. Joanne received a medical discharge in 1980. We have a photograph of Joanne that we bring to every reunion so she can rejoin her soulmates. She will always be with us in spirit and we will always remember and miss her.

We are so proud to have been members of the original RCMP Female Troop 36 - 1974/75. But more than our pride, is our legacy and our story now depicted by the following words, Friends Forever, engraved on our Troop Brick placed on the Princess Royal Walk, at the RCMP Heritage Centre, overlooking the iconic north gate to “Depot” Division. And so, our Troop’s story continues down through time.

 

Reg.#	Troop Member	Home Province	Posting
32341	C.E. Mackie	Northwest Territories	BC
32342	D.P. Popika	British Columbia	BC
32343	J.A. Johnson	British Columbia	BC
32344	J.L. Dalton	British Columbia	AB
32345	D.L. McMillan	British Columbia	BC
32347	C.A. MacDonald	Nova Scotia	NL
32349	K.A. King	Manitoba	MB
32350	E.C. Pike	Newfoundland	NL
32353	J.E. Zevola	Alberta	AB
32359	N.H. Fehr	Manitoba	BC
32360	D.F. McLean	Manitoba	MB
32361	M.L. Becker	Ontario	ON
32362	S.M. Theriault	Ontario	ON
32363	M.J.C. Gingras	Ontario	QC
32367	D.R. Loxam	Alberta	AB
32369	M.G.A.F. Belair	Quebec	Left Training
32376	W.A. Hazleton	Nova Scotia	NS
32377	L.G. Nichols	Alberta	BC
32380	K.B. Boehner	Prince Edward Island	MB
32383	J.M.M. Guay	Quebec	QC
32389	M.A. Bires	New Brunswick	NB
32390	S.M. Brown	New Brunswick	NS
32391	M.L. Reid	New Brunswick	NS
32392	H.J. Van Wart	New Brunswick	PE
32394	J.G. Horn	Saskatchewan	SK
32395	C.E. Koszman	Saskatchewan	SK
32396	R.C. Ahenakew	Saskatchewan	SK
32397	P.U.M. Breslauer	Ontario	MB
32398	S.L. Lawford	Ontario	Left Training
32399	F.L. Aronovitch	Ontario	ON
32400	M.T.L. McKee	Ontario	ON
32401	J.M. Hux	Ontario	ON

                  

   COMMENTS FROM TROOP COUNCELLOR

“As I reminisce about the women who comprised “Troop 36 or Bust”, I fondly recall all of them, as well as their inner strength. Troop 36 was among the first on the stage of Canadian policing, and they evoked the strength to persevere the highs, the lows and the trials at ‘Depot’. I don’t recall them crying while I knew them, but I do recall them laughing. I recall how quickly Troop 36 melded together to become friends, and how quiet ‘Depot’ was after they graduated. Troop 36 enriched my life and gave me precious memories which have lasted all my life, and I love them.”

(Joe Healy, 2025)

 

June 12 - 16, 2025.   How is it possible that 50 years have flown by this quickly.   But they have, and Troop 36, 1974/75 gathered once more in Regina, SK, this time to celebrate our 50-year milestone!   Fifteen members of the troop (from BC to NL to Florida), along with our Troop Counsellor, Joe Healy and friend of Troop 36, Al Nicholson, shared a truly wonderful time.   A trip to the Heritage Centre and then a tour of Depot brought back so many memories but we were also amazed at what Depot is now.  To commemorate our 50 years, a special necklace pendant was designed by Hilary Druxman Design of Winnipeg, MB.  Interestingly, Hilary’s great-grandfather, George Henry Wheatley, was a member of the North West Mounted Police, Reg. No. 284, joining the Force in 1877.  How special!  We also each received a gift of a tumbler with a beautiful logo of a maple leaf and high browns with a Stetson on top with the words “Sisterhood” on the brim.   This was done with the kind permission of the logo owner, Regular Member Heidi Marshall.  

We have had other reunions, but this one, while equally wonderful, had a different sentiment.   That sentiment is best expressed by the words of our troop mate Connie Pike:

“It was obvious that every one of us has a story – some that are impossible to forget, and others that highlight our tenacity.   That should be our primary takeaway…whatever diverse paths we took, good or bad, they made us stronger.  Many of us sought help for our struggles, and there is certainly no shame in that.  Again, it increased our personal strength.  Each and every experience we have is designed to teach us something, and what we learned has made us resilient, braver, stronger, and more determined to live our best lives.  Even though we don’t stay in touch or see each other on a regular basis, our connection runs deep.”

This is us.   This is Troop 36, 74/75 and our story continues.

______________________________________________________________________________

Attendees at 50^th Reunion with our Brick at the Heritage Centre:

Back Row: (l-r) Joe Healy, Cathy Koszman, Kathy Martell (Boehner), Linda Smith (Nichols), Ruth Madill (Ahenakew), Chris Windover (Mackie), Doreen Wolff (Loxam)

Middle Row: (l-r) Debbie McLean, Nancy Fehr, Celine Gingras, Marsha Gagnon (Bires), Doreen Rigby (Popika)

Front Row: (l-r) Julie Russett (Johnson), Connie Pike, Kathie King, Jan Peszat (Dalton)

 

Story submitted 30 January 2025

Story addition 24 July 2025 - Kathie King

 

 

Divisions Served: See Story

Training Division: DEPOT

Troop Number and Year: TR. 36 1974/75

Home Town: See Story

Engagement Date: Mar 01, 1975