Ingrid Elisabeth Underhill

Divisions Served: “E”

Medals & Honours: Second Man

Pillar Location: Pillar X, Row 10, Column F

Story: 

Ingrid Elisabeth Underhill (Carlson) was born on a homestead in Niton, Alberta, on July 23, 1932, to Nils and Svea Carlson, who emigrated from Sweden. Ingrid’s mother was a nurse and her dad was a farmer. Ingrid had one sister, Ingeborg, at that time. In 1936 Ingrid’s family moved to Heffley Creek, BC, where her brother, Tore, was born. Nils worked at Tranquille, BC at a large Provincial farm. In 1937 they moved to Kamloops, as it was closer to her dad’s work. In 1938 Svea had twins, a girl and a boy, Gurli and Kurt. In 1941 Ingrid’s sister Sonja was born.
The family moved to New Westminster, BC in 1941, then to Richmond, BC in 1943. Ingrid attended high school in Richmond, and graduated in 1950. Upon graduation she was offered a position with the Richmond School Board as School Secretary because she had earned a scholarship for having attained the highest grades from Grades 9 to 12 in Bookkeeping, Typing, Shorthand, Business Math and Business English. Ingrid left there in 1959, from her then position, of Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, to marry Constable Howatt Orville Underhill, the love of her life. Orville was stationed in Burnaby, BC, having transferred there from Terrace, BC, “upon marriage”. While they were there, Ingrid worked for the New Westminster School Board as a Senior Secretary. Ingrid and Orville had their first child, Christina, there in 1960.
In January, 1962, they were transferred to Burns Lake, BC. It was a challenge! It was a record setting winter for cold and snow all over the Province, and Orville had to precede Ingrid and Christina by 2 weeks. They had rented the only house available, a pan-a-bode without insulated walls making the day to day things difficult in the cold. There was only heating from the centre of the house through a grate in the floor, which didn’t reach very far. As a result there was frost inside around all the base boards, and cracks in the walls. Ingrid’s mother accompanied her on the move, and the first night there she thought someone was pulling her hair, but her hair had frozen to the wall! They were there for the next 4 ½ years. During that time Ingrid often worked as a “matron” for the female prisoners, and also worked as a teacher in the Burns Lake area. In May of 1963 they had their first son, Brian, in Burns Lake.
In 1966 they were transferred to the one-man Detachment of Falkland, BC in the north Okanagan. This was a very busy little Detachment, and Orville was on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It became necessary for Ingrid to assist in many ways. They lived in Detachment quarters which were located off the office and cell block area at one end of the house. There was a door between the office and living quarters that was always open. When Orville was out on a call, Ingrid answered the phone, radio and door; and solved as many problems as possible. In addition, Ingrid routinely did “brand inspections” of cattle that moved through the area. She also called for extra assistance, eg; ambulance, back up, etc, when Orville attended accidents that required other help. Ingrid was tasked with meals for the prisoners and RCMP personnel when at their Detachment. Ingrid also pulled files for the neighboring Detachments when required, and verified traffic check-up slips. While they were in Falkland, their second son, Eric, was born in Vernon Hospital.
In 1967 they were transferred to Sechelt, BC, where Orville was promoted to Corporal of the seven-man Detachment. They were again in quarters, and again Ingrid was tasked with making meals for prisoners, entertaining visiting RCMP personnel and acted as matron for the female prisoners. She also became very involved with the Canadian Girl Guides Association, both as an assistant to the leaders, and a parent volunteer at social events such as bake sales and thrift sales. Their third son, Darin, was born there in 1971.
Later that year they were transferred to Merritt, BC where Orville was promoted to Sergeant of the larger Detachment. While there, Ingrid again became involved with the Canadian Girl Guides Association, being voted in as Canadian Girl Guides Commissioner for the areas of Merritt, Upper & Lower Nicola, and Logan Lake. It was a very busy position, but also very rewarding. They lived there until August of 1974 when they were on the move again to what would be their final transfer, to Chilliwack, BC. While there Orville was promoted to Staff-Sergeant. After arriving there Ingrid completed her Bachelor of Education Degree and taught in the area for the next 15 years until she retired. Ingrid continued to stay very busy volunteering for various groups, tutoring students at home and working out at the YMCA.
Over the next several years Ingrid and Orville enjoyed travelling the country in their motor-home, travelling to the Yukon and all the way to Newfoundland and Labrador. They made the trip home through the United States, seeing some great history along the way. They also loved their trips camping on the “Annual Underhill Camping Trip”, meeting up with their kids and families. Ingrid and Orville also did many trips out of country, finding a special place together in Mexico where they spent their final big trip together in the warm sun.
In August of 2014 Ingrid was thrilled and honored to receive the “RCMP Second Man Recognition” for her time in the one-man Detachment in Falkland, BC. This award came with a beautiful pin and a certificate signed by Commissioner Bob Paulson stating “In recognition of your steadfast and loyal support of the RCMP and its members”.
On February 14, 2018 Orville and Ingrid celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. On March 12, 2018, Ingrid lost her beloved husband to cancer. In retrospect, Ingrid views her life as a happy, fulfilling, and at times challenging experience and she wouldn’t change it for the world!