Gerald George Snodgrass

Divisions Served: “E,” “G,” “M,” “F”

Pillar Location: Pillar VII, Row 2, Column F

Story: 

I joined the RCMP on January 6, 1965 – my swearing in ceremony took place at “Depot” Division A Block by Inspector R. P. Stone.  After 9 months training my RCMP journey took me to Chilliwack BC from 1965 – 1967 where I met my future wife Dorothy.  After getting married we were transferred to Mission BC from where our daughter was born.  I always had an interest in working in the North and in 1972, my application was approved to transfer to Fort Norman, NWT (now named Tulita).  After one year I was promoted to Corporal and posted to Norman Wells, NWT and there Dorothy and I opened the first permanent detachment for the community, it was a one-member detachment.

A few years later we transferred to Nipawin, SK where our son was born.  We lasted four years in Nipiwan before realizing we wanted to return to the North and in 1979 we moved to Haines Junction, Yukon.  I was the Detachment Commander for three years before transferring to Whitehorse where I would eventually promote to Sergeant.  In 1986 we decided to return South and we transferred to Hanley, Sask.  In 1992 I took what would be my last promotion to Staff Sergeant with a transfer to Swift Current, Sask and eventually I retired in 2000, a proud member of the RCMP serving for 35 years.  Dorothy and I have returned to where our adventure started for the both of us as we currently live in Chilliwack, BC

Highlights of my career were:

Saluting and escorting Prince Charles in Norman Wells, NWT

Escorting Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and taking salute at musical ride in Nipawin, Sask

Providing security to Princess Anne for a tour of Kluane National Park in the Yukon

Participating as an original rider in the re-enactment of the March West

from Gravelbourg, Sask to Fort Walsh, Sask over a 2-week period of June 9 to June 20, 1999

In Nov. 2003 I had the honor to present my son Ryan Snodgrass with his badge upon his graduation from RCMP Depot training.

Returning to Norman Wells, NWT where my son Ryan – was NCO in charge of detachment.  As the second generation NCO, Ryan presented his mother Dorothy with the Second Man Brooch.