Prince Albert Volunteers

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The Prince Albert Volunteers, or Prince Albert Rifles, refers to a historical body of militia organized in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan which served as Canadian government militia during the North-West Rebellion.

"Gentleman" Joe McKay, an Anglo-Metis scout of the North West Mounted Police was sent to Prince Albert from Fort Carlton to enlist about 20 men as volunteers on the 20th of March, 1885. On the 21st, 22 men were sworn in before Lt. Col. Sproat. The volunteers were commanded by Captain Moore, who had retired from the Canadian militia. On the 23rd they arrived at Fort Carlton and were armed with Snider-Enfield rifles.

They saw their only action fighting alongside the police against Gabriel Dumont's Metis forces at the Battle of Duck Lake on March 26, 1885 where they suffered the heaviest casualties of combatants involved. Most of those who died are buried at St. Mary's Anglican Church cemetery just west of Prince Albert. 9 of them were killed at Duck Lake, their bodies left on the field until emissaries from Louis Riel arranged for their safe retrieval by citizens of Prince Albert.

For the remainder of the rebellion the volunteers stayed penned up in the stockade at Prince Albert, safeguarding the community until relieved by General Frederick Middleton and his Northwest Field Force after the Battle of Batoche.

[edit] Members Killed at Duck Lake

  • Cst. Joseph Anderson
  • Cst. James Bakie
  • Cst. Skeffington C. Elliott
  • Cst. Alexander Fisher
  • Cst. Daniel McKenzie
  • Cst. Daniel McPhail
  • Cst. Robert Middleton
  • Captain John Morton
  • Corp. William Napier

[edit] References

  • Light, Douglas W. (1987). Footprints in the Dust. Turner-Warwick Prineters Inc., North Battleford.