Donald Keith Wilkie

Divisions Served: “E”

Medals and Honours: Long Service Medal

Pillar Location: Pillar IX, Row 12, Column F

Story: 

I applied to join the RCMP in Creston, B.C. mid summer 1958 and never heard from the Force until mid June 1959, when I received a letter requesting me to go to Calgary Sub Division to be sworn in. I attended, was sworn in, and handed a one way train ticket to Regina. Upon arrival, I was picked up by a recruit duty driver and dropped off at a place called Depot. I was shown building C block where I would live for the next several months. I met a group of other young men there all wondering “what’s next?” We were eventually shuffled around and molded into what Troop we were – C Troop.

The next few days were spent picking up fatigues and uniform from the Quartermaster store. I was busy checking out the stables, horses, swimming pool, classrooms, and most importantly, the mess hall. Driver training appeared to be a priority with each of us given an opportunity to display our driving skills. I was advised shortly after that I had been selected as a duty driver, and was to pick up and take home the cooking staff, which turned out to be a bonus, as the ladies always were so appreciative and ensured I received an extra pork chop or chicken breast. Meals were very good. I had also been assigned to take one recruit out for remedial driving lessons so he could pass the course—which he did.

The equitation training was excellent. I had ridden and dealt with with horses for several years prior to training, but some recruits had never stood beside or ridden a horse before. There were many anxious moments for sure! You soon learned that every horse was of a different mindset. Some would kick, and for sure you were careful when passing the stall of “Waco,” as he was known to bite, sometimes tearing your shirt and grazing your skin! Swimming lessons were another story—right off the bat you had to climb up the high diving board and jump off whether you could swim or not! P.T. was more of a military concept. I was kept busy almost every waking hour with classes, cleaning stables, night shift property checks, polishing kit and practicing foot drills.

After completing training/pass out , it appeared our Troop would be held back as apparently there was no need for our services! We were kept busy, and for a short while we enjoyed a Senior Troop status. Not for long—our marching orders suddenly appeared and I, along with 8 others boarded the train for British Columbia. I was in full dress uniform with strict orders of severe consequences if I changed into civilian clothes! None of us did! First stop was Calgary where I was fortunate to enjoy breakfast and refreshments with my parents and brother. Back on the train with next stop Vancouver where we we dispersed throughout B.C. I continued on to Victoria and was paraded before an Inspector whose first words were “WILKIE “ have you ever worked in a camp environment? Yes Sir. Good, you’re off to Ladysmith! Still in full dress, I caught a bus to Ladysmith, was met by a Cpl, stayed in a hotel for 2 days, then took over a basement suite from a member who was transferred. Finally found a room and board accommodation. Next move was to Sidney detachment then Nanaimo. Then off to Victoria S/D GIS – a 5 man unit where we assisted all S/D detachments with various investigations including arson, drugs, assault, murder.

In 1966 I transferred to Prince Rupert detachment GIS, a one man unit. At that time, because of a housing shortage in Prince Rupert, members had to live in an apartment complex which became known as “Stetson Heights”. I was then transferred to Vancouver drug section, working with the street crew, heroin trafficking team, then the drug enforcement team, working with Canada Customs Enforcement team. I was than transferred as NCO to Burnaby Detachment drug section,then Surrey Detachment as S/Sgt NCO drug unit where I remained until I retired in 1990 with 31 years service. A well known S/Sgt of Vancouver drug section, Smokey Stovern, upon his retirement, did a search of drug member longevity in B.C. and it showed that I was the longest lasting member to have spent 20 years solely on drug enforcement duties, which he felt would never happen again.

Postings (in order)
Depot
Ladysmith
Sidney detachment
Nanaimo detachment
Victoria subdivision
Prince Rupert
Vancouver subdivision
Vancouver drug section
Burnaby drug section
Surrey drug section
Retired to K division

I was fortunate in my career to have extensive travel relating to investigations and court cases.
New York — heroin importing and trafficking
Sydney Australia—MDA trafficking and importing
Manila Philippines, Singapore—Marihuana importing investigation

In the midst of all this activity we managed to raise 3 beautiful daughters, born in Victoria, Prince Rupert and Surrey.  Upon retirement, we moved to Alberta, to a little piece of heaven where we raised cattle, horses and hay. In my spare time I took the Real Estate course and worked for Royal LePage in High River for 7 years. We sold the ranch after 22 years and re-retired in Okotoks.

High point of my career was presenting daughter #2 with her badge in Depot following her graduation in 1989.

My younger brother, Neil F Wilkie reg # 01579, deceased, retired as an Inspector with service in “D” and “K” Divisions

My wife Marlene sums up life with the RCMP as follows:
“Having a career with the RCMP is much like making a patchwork quilt. Each square represents and means something to you—your troop mates,training,postings, new friends, new communities, life experiences, work experiences, never forgotten files, traditions, social events and much, much more. The thread that binds it all together, sometimes slightly unraveled or even a bit frayed but never broken, is the Force itself. Then , when your career ends, you are left with lifelong friendships and a warm, colourful quilt of memories.

I want to say a heartfelt and loving thanks to my family for all their years of support and for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Pillars of the Force. It is an honour and a legacy.