Material Type

Recording

Date Range

1979

Fonds

Pioneer Researchers Association Oral History Project

Creator

Pioneer Researchers Association

Physical Description

1 cassette tape; digital copy

Physical Condition

Excellent

Acquisition Source

Pioneer Researchers

Scope and Content

Tape 1 Side A (30 min) - Biographical information: Father - William Armer migrated from England to Canada (Toronto) in 1887. He joined the RCMP, took his training in Regina and was stationed at a number of posts, before ending up at Fort Macleod. In the 1890's while stationed at Saltcoats, Sask he met Mary Trowell. They corresponded by mail for 5 years before being married in Lethbridge in 1904 at the Anglican Church. As an RCMP, he had the honor of being part of the escort party for the Earl of Minto, then Governor General of Canada; the Duke and Duchess of York; and Earl Grey. He received a memento on each escort. Following his marriage he was stationed at Kipp (Marjorie was born in 1908 wttte«Wu»«M at Kipp), then Standoff, and in 1911 was promoted to Sgt Major at Fort Macleod. - The Fort Macleod barracks, where the family lived, were located just east of the present day stampede grounds. She describes the interior of the barracks. - Relates an incident about a young girl, Phyllis, who was charged with bigamy. - Daily routine in the barracks. - The Armer's had 8 children. Describes the family outing to Waterton by horse and democrat. - Relates other stories about barracks life. Barracks closed in 1920. - The family stayed on at the barracks until 1922, at which time her father retired. - Describes her 8th birthday, celebrated while living in the barracks. - RCMP Scout Mike Mountain Horse also lived in the barracks. The Armer children played with his son Harry. SideB - General information about the hangings in the barracks. - Information about the RCMP ball. - RCMP horses. - In addition to salaries, the offiers received rations from the Quarter roaster's store. The Canteen, where you could buy candy, was located next door. - Saturday night dances in Fort Macleod: occasionally there were fights between the younger officers and the locals over girls. - RCMP's were poorly paid and often the younger members quit and went to work for CPR. - Describes the military funeral of Corp. Usher. - Standoff detachment: Description of the interior. - The family moved into Fort Macleod after her father's retirement. - Information about other family members. After she graduated, Marjorie attended normal school in Calgary and obtained her teaching certificate. - Teaching career: Relates stories about being caught in blizzards. She lived in a teacherage in Chin. During the Depression the salaries decreased (at this time her father received a pension from the RCMP of85/month). Rural high school teaching experiences. The differences in teaching rural and town schools.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19921008037

Collection

Archive

Less detail