William James Loftus

Divisions Served: “N,” “F,” “E”

Medals & Honours: Long Service Medal with Bronze Clasp and Star

Pillar Location: Pillar VII< Row 22, Column D

Story: 

Bill was born in Kitchener, Ontario to Jonathan and Mabel Loftus.  The family eventually grew to six sons and five daughters.  The last two girls were born after Bill left home.

He attended public school in Kitchener and completed grade 9 in 1942.  His father was a military man who knew his son wanted to join the military service, so he alerted the Kitchener recruitment office his son was under age.  Being rejected in Kitchener, Bill went to Toronto and was accepted.  He managed to serve 302 days in WWII before the war ended.  Unfortunately, he was unable to receive the War Medal (1939-1945) as 540 service days were required.  Bill was discharged from the military on May 26, 1947, when he was nineteen years of age.  After the military, he signed on with the RCMP and was underage there too.  He was assigned temporary number RSC9602 and would later become Regimental Number 15308 when he reached the mandatory age.

He received a letter from A./Comm. Perlson who indicated that by not completing further education grades it would hamper future promotions.

In Regina and Prince Albert he took night classes four times a week and in 1968 passed grade 12 with an 81% average plus Grade 11 Algebra and Trigonometry 95.5% and Chemistry 92%.  In 1969, he took a Literature semester at the University of Regina.

Bill retired as Staff Sergeant on August 22, 1975 after having served 29 years with the Force.

Courses taken: Canadian Police College, Advanced Training, Intermediate Training, Refresher “A,” Refresher “B” (N Division, September – October 1955), Traffic Patrolman’s Training (1953), Radar Speed Meter, Breathalyzer Operation, Identification Course, Racetrack Supervisor, Racetrack Supervisor Refresher, Equitation, Security and Intelligence, Canadian Provost Course (Camp Borden), Preventative Service Class #7, Tear Gas Training (Depot, 1963), Projectionist Course (Depot, 1963), First Aid Instructors Course (Valley Centre 1964), S.I.T. Course (Depot 1969), Canadian Securities Course, Basic Management and Personnel (F Division, 1970), St. John Ambulance (Rockcliffe, 1947), St. John Ambulance (North Battleford, 1948).

Promotions: Corporal (1966), Sergeant (1971), Staff Sergeant (1975).

Community Relations: lectured RCMP training courses, The Saskatchewan Police College and in training sessions with Dept. of Consumer and Commercial Affairs, Member of the Royal Canadian Legion (60 year pin in 2004), Masonic Lodge (Initiated 1951, Senior Membership 1992, Master 2001), Wa Wa Shrine (Life Membership), Wa Wa Shrine Drum Corp, Royal United Services, RCMP Veterans’ Association, Club Master Lakeview Scout Group (3 years), #34 Squadron Air Cadets (Commanding Officer and Administrative Officer.  Capt. with Canadian Reserve Forces Supp. “A” List).

Detachments: Depot (May – June 1947), N (July – October 1947), Depot (1947 – 1948), F (North Battleford 1948-1950, Weyburn 1950-1952, Carlyle 1952, Torquay 1952, Regina Town Station 1952-1953, Moose Jaw 1953, Criminal Investigation Branch 1953, Regina Town Station 1953, TR/Squad 1953, Regina Town Station 1953-1954, Benhough 1957, Filmore 1957-1960, Regina Town Station 1960-1962), E (1962), F (Regina Town Station 1962, Regina Beach 1962, Regina Town Station 1962-1963, Regina Subdivision HQ 1963-1965, F Division HQ 1965, Prince Albert Subdivision 1965-1966, F Division HQ 1966-1972, Fort Qu’Appelle 1972-1975)

Retired from Fort Qu’Appelle detachment August 22, 1975 having reached maximum service.

Medals: Long Service Medal (1970), Bronze Clasp and Star G.O. (1970).

Excerpt from the Star Phoenix, Monday April 19, 1948: “An Indian Agent, a member of his staff and Mountie, young Bill Loftus, whose scarlet tunic gleamed beneath his half-open pea jacket, made the journey from North Battleford to transfer a large, square leather satchel to an open sleigh which awaited them for the 14-mile sleigh ride to a schoolhouse in Turtleford for the Payoff Pow Wow.  The trail was soft in the afternoon sun and one of the horses went through the top ice crust of the Turtle River, but scrambled to firmer footing without mishap.  In the late afternoon dimness of the school house the agent from Battleford took his place at a table.  Three hundred members of the Thunderchild Band were to receive an interest payment on the money paid by the white men who brought the old reserve at Delmas and turned it into farms.  Each family head showing his number and identified by Councillors, received the money; $15 for himself, $15 for his wife, and $15 for each child.  When a man was absent, his wife took the money.  By late afternoon and nightfall the open box sleighs and the odd covered cutter were snaking their way back across the river and along the 14-mile trail to home.”

Fort Qu’Appelle, 1973: The 12 member detachment wanted to honor the Centennial Celebrations of the Force in a special way.  Members wanted to honour the local business community and local dignitaries.  As a result, the committee organized a formal ball, including reception, dinner, and dance, which took place at the Echo Valley Centre May 11, 1973.  It was a very colorful event enjoyed by all.  The balls continued for several years after the invitations sent to formal members of the detachment who had been transferred to other posts since 1973.  The Fort RCMP 25^th Silver Anniversary Ball was on June 7^th, 1997.  As Fort Qu’Appelle was a resort area, the members of the detachment organized family events on Wednesday afternoons at either Echo or Katepwa Lake.  The RCMP boat provided rides for all before a picnic or barbeque ended the afternoon.

After retirement, Bill worked for Kleyson Transport for 1 month before changing careers and moving to Department of Consumer Affairs as an investigator.  He retired from there after many years.  Bill was very active in sports, mainly lawn bowling, golfing, and curling.  On retirement he became a member of the RCMP Veterans Association.  1992 served as President.  1997 was awarded Life Membership.  He was on the Board of directors when the RCMP Centennial Museum was being built at the entrance of Depot Division.  It opened in May 2007.  Bill took part in parades with Veterans for many special ceremonies on the “Square.”  When he could not march anymore, he was always on the sidelines.  Once a month Veterans church services in the Chapel were a must go.

Bill looked forward to many March visits to Hawaii.  He always wanted a room with an ocean view.  He walked miles every day for exercise and sightseeing.  Bill missed those experiences when travelling became impossible.  Bill died January 2007.