McINTOSH, M.R. (Melburn Robert)
The Gallery
The Nameplates
Troop Number and Year: H 1964/65
The Bricks
The Stories
I was born in Wilkie, Saskatchewan, on July 29th, 1944, and the family moved to a farm at Carbon, Alberta in 1947.
When I was five years old, I saw my first Mountie, and I thought he must have been over six feet tall. Years later I was taller than him, and realized he was only five feet eight inches. From the time I started school, I always wanted to be a member of the RCMP.
While attending the University of Alberta, Faculty of Agriculture, in Edmonton, the application process was started. After the first year, there was a long waiting list of applicants, and the recruiter told me to go back to university.
The day before my final math exam at the end of my second year, found me at the recruiting office. By 3:00 p.m. the tests and the interview were completed. On October 9th, 1964, I was sworn in at Calgary, AB. My parents saw me onto the train for Regina, SK, and I will always remember my father’s farewell. We were shaking hands, and I knew he wasn’t going to let go, and he said, “Well you’re in now, and if you decide you don’t like, and want to get out, it’s too god damn bad!”
Training at Depot was pretty well as described by two Carbon members. We were still riding horses, and I was lead file for our equitation pass out.
My first posting was Campbell River Detachment in E Division (B.C.). There I met the love of my life in the course of an investigation. Linda worked as a Dental Assistant and on paydays someone was helping themself to the money in her purse in the staff room. Her boss and friend rigged a purse with a battery, micro switch and buzzer. The receptionist reported a buzzer going off and she couldn’t shut it off. While she had been suspected, she was told to call the detachment. Ron Nicholas and I were on District but took the call. There was no theft this date and the dentist said they would look after it. The receptionist quit the next week but took all of her husband’s records. It took me a month to either follow up or build up the courage, but that started a beautiful relationship.
I applied for Equitation Training. July 1967 found me in Ottawa, ON and in August was notified of my transfer to the Musical Ride effective October 15th.
I returned to Campbell Riverfor court, to move out of my residence, and propose to Linda, my future wife. We had planned on going to Carbon for Christmas but now started making plans to get married. Permission from the Force was received, and our license arrived just five days before our marriage on December 24th, 1967.
The Musical Ride Tour in 1968 was in the USA with one stop in London, ON but the highlight came at the end when I was one of five members of the first airlift of RCMP horses from Baltimore, Maryland to Hamilton, Bermuda.
The Tour in 1969 was to Great Britain where we performed at eleven Agricultural Fairs, and four Military Tattoos. The highlights of this time was having my wife in Britain for two months, and the birth of our daughter, Melinda, on August 29th. Unfortunately, I was in Edinburgh, and Linda was in Ottawa.
In October 1969 we were transferred back to E Division and posted to Haney, B.C. Detachment.
In August 1974, we were posted to Port Hardy, B.C. Detachment, where we bought our first home. On October 3rd, 1974, our son, Kevin, was born. In February 1975 I was promoted to Corporal, and in April started the Plain Clothes Section.
In June 1976, we moved to the Sidney Detachment on Vancouver Island.
In July 1978, I was transferred to Nanaimo General Investigation Section.
While in Nanaimo, I was seconded to the Drug Section for one year . . . and finally got back to General Investigation four and one-half years later. During my time in Nanaimo, I was a member of the Victoria Sub-Division Emergency Response Team for seven years.
In April 1988 we moved to Williams Lake, B.C., General Investigation Section. I was asked to consider a director’s position with the Williams Lake Association for Community Living (ACL). This proved to be one of the most meaningful volunteer experiences in my lifetime.
June 1991 we were transferred to Langley, B.C. Detachment and bought a home in Abbotsford. Barry Coward, who was also a member of the 1968 musical ride, was our real estate representative.
In 1992, I was elected to the Langley ACL Board of Directors, served as Vice-President, and President for ten years.
On April 9th, 1998, I retired from the RCMP with 33 ½ years of service.
With the formation of the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service, I joined as a Provincial Constable.
On February 28, 2010, I retired from the transit police with over 45 years of police service.
While remaining relatively healthy, Linda unfortunately developed pancreatic cancer and had three operations in August 2021. She battled the disease with courage and bravery, and we were always mindful it could return. It settled in her liver in 2023, and she died June 22, 2023. We were married for 55 ½ years. Her advice to me was “Go Shooting, Go Golfing, stay close to family and friends and don’t hook up with some woman who will waste our kid’s inheritance”. I have done all that.
Submitted by: Mel McIntosh
5 June 2025
Divisions Served: E, N
Medals and Honours: RCMP LSM Medal with silver clasp and two stars.
Regimental Number: 23729
Training Division: Depot
Troop Number and Year: H 1964/65
Home Town: Carbon, AB
Engagement Date: K Div. - 9 October 1964