Person:Robert Riddell (2)

In his WWI Attestation papers^S4, signed in Vancouver, B.C. on Dec 9, 1918, Robert Riddell testifies that his previous military experience included the following:

• Royal Northwest Mounted Police 1881 to 1887, (although technically the "Royal" designation was not applied until 1904.) He was in Battleford at the time of the outbreak of the North-West (Riel) Rebellion, and was at the Battle of Cut Knife on May 2nd, 1885.
  
• South Africa (Boer War) 1899-1902, and
  
• Militia 1902 to date.
  

His memorial page in the RCMP Graves^S11 database indicates he served in Siberia in the "B" Squadron ("B" Squadron, Royal North West Mounted Police, Siberia 1918/12/01-1919/05/26) but his name does not appear in on-line resources related to this service. The squadron was part of the Canadian Siberian Expedition Force (CSEF.)

According to his Attestation form he was found to be unfit for duty due to his being 59 years old. He lists his wife Anne M Riddell as next of kin. It is not clear to me why he was going through this process in Dec 1918 since the war was over, although it could have been related to the Siberia force mentioned above.

From several sources we learn that he was a Veterinary Surgeon, and an early letter to the editor of the Toronto Daily Mail ^S5 indicates that while with the NWMP he was promoted from the rank of Staff-Sergeant to Veterinary Surgeon (an officer.)

In the above WWI Attestation Papers, he indicated he was in the RNWMP from 1881 to 1887. In the biographical sketch included in the Canadian Veterinary Journal ^S3 he was reported to have joined in 1884. With the advent of the Riel Rebellion in 1885, he was "rushed" to Calgary where he served until 1887.

He married late in life and changed residency between Canada and the US several times.

Even though there is a photo^S7 of a NWMP reunion in July 1901 that includes "Bob" Riddell, I have been unable to find his enumeration in the 1901 census in the same month. He may have been living in the U.S. at the time of the reunion. However, the Glenbow Museum has another photo of a Bob Riddell with his Clydesdale team which notes he was ranching where Sheep Creek runs into High River (in southern Alberta)in the same period. This may be the same person.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Family Tree, in Renwick, Donna. Descendants of Walter Riddell. (Sept 7, 2005).

   Robert Riddle b: 1854 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Residence:Calgary, Alberta, Canada

2. ↑ Walter Riddell household, in Northumberland, Canada West, United Province of Canada. 1861 Census of Canada West. (Library and Archives Canada)
   14 Jan 1861.

   Enumerated as a farmer. They had a son who died in 1860 of "putrid sore throat," that I assume was Herbert. His son Francis was enumerated as a laborer.
   
   Name: Robert Riddell
   Gender: Male
   Age: 2
   Birth Year: 1859
   Birthplace: Upper Canada
   Marital Status: Single
   Home in 1861: Hamilton, Northumberland, Canada West
   Religion: F C Of S
   Household Members:
   Name Age
   Walter Riddell 47 Farmer
   Mary Riddell 43
   Francis Riddell 23 Laborer
   Mary Riddell 21
   Isabella Riddell 19
   Walter Riddell 17
   Elizabeth Riddell 15
   John Riddell 13
   James Riddell 11
   William Riddell 9
   George Riddell 7
   Janet Riddell 5
   Robert Riddell 2

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Veterinarians of the North-West Territories and Alberta, in Canadian Veterinary Journal
   24(11)/Page 358 & 359, Nov 1983.

   by B.I. Love
   
   Dr. Robert Riddell is featured in one of the 5 biographical sketches included in this article.
   
   The full book from which these extracts were taken is available at OurRoots.ca

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Robert Riddell, in Canada. Soldiers of the First World War. (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada)
   1918.

   Officers' Declaration form - Captain Robert Riddell - front
   
   Name: RIDDELL, ROBERT
   Rank: CPT
   Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 8265 - 48
   Date of Birth: 12/09/1869 [I read Sep 12, 1859]

5.   The North-West Mounted Police, in Toronto Daily Mail. (Toronto, Ontario)
   Page 5, 19 Aug 1887.

   THE NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE
   To the Editor of The Mail.
   Sir, -- My attention having been called to a letter signed "Mounted Police," which appears in your issue of the 3rd inst., and being somewhat interested in the North-West Mounted Police Force, I should like co correct one of the statements therein contained.
   
   Your correspondent says " from the organlzation of the force in I873 to the present time, there have been only four promotions from the ranks 'pure and simple.'"
   
   The following; have been made:—Sergeant- Major Griesbach, Quartermaster-Sergeant Neale, Sergeant-Major Steele, Corporal Autrobus, (now Superintendents) ; Sergeant-Major Wattam, Sergeant-Major Baker, Staff-Sergeant Norman,Sergeant Piercy, Staff-Sergeant Harper, Sergeant Brooks. Staff-Sergeant Routledge, (now Inspectors) ; Staff-Sergeant Riddel (now Veterinary Surgeon); Staff-Sergeant Burnet, (now Assistant Veterinary Sergeant); Sergeant Macdonell. (now Superintendent); Sergeant Howe, (now Inspector). Ten other officers have obtained commissions from the ranks, but as outside influence may have been used, I do not count them.
   
   Yours. etc.,
   REGIMENTAL No. 2 (1873).
   Macleod,N.W.T., Aug. 12.

6. ↑ Robert and Anne D Riddell, in Seattle, Washington, United States. Seattle Passenger & Crew Lists
   Jul 1922.

   Departed from Victoria, B.C. They gave his brother, William Riddell of ?Geo? St., Toronto as their next-of-kin in Canada. There is a notation added later as follows:
   "Abandoned Domicile March 19/34," which I assume means they returned to Canada at this time.
   
   Name: Robert Riddell
   Arrival Date: Jul 1922
   Age: 63
   Estimated Birth Year: 1859
   Birthplace: Ontario
   Last Residence: BC
   Gender: Male
   Race/Nationality: Scotch (Scotish)
   Port of arrival: Seattle, Washington
   Port of departure: Victoria, British Columbia
   Line: 1
   Microfilm Roll Number: M1383_71
   
   
   Name: Anne D Riddell
   Arrival Date: Jul 1922
   Age: 54
   Estimated Birth Year: 1868
   Birthplace: Ireland
   Last Residence: BC
   Gender: Female
   Race/Nationality: Irish
   Port of arrival: Seattle, Washington
   Port of departure: Victoria, British Columbia
   Line: 2
   Microfilm Roll Number: M1383_71

7. ↑ Photo Archive - Image No: NA-52-3, in Glenbow Museum
   21 Jul 1901.

   North-West Mounted Police veterans, at Calgary, Alberta
   
   Image No: NA-52-3
   
   Title: North-West Mounted Police veterans, at Calgary, Alberta.
   
   Date: July 21, 1901
   
   Remarks: L-R back row: A.W. Oakes; O.W. Lealy; Mr. Gullen; John Oliver; Malcolm T. Millar; Fred Burke; Bob Riddell; Inspector J. Wilson; Ralph Bell; W. Johnson; J.J. Marshall; Jack Clarke (manager of Queen's Hotel); J.C. Mableland; Jack Donohue; J.A. Reid.
   L-R middle row: Bob McGutcheon; Tom McLennan; J.H.G. Bray; R. W. Fletcher; Jim Olmstead.
   L-R front row: Jack Forbes; G. E. Wood; Colonel James Walker; Fred Bagley; J. J. Roberts; Clarke Knight.
   
   Subject(s): Calgary, Alberta - Personalities / Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Officers / Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Veterans

8.   Photo Archive - Image No: NA-919-41, in Glenbow Museum
   Mar 1900.

   Officers of Canadian Mounted Rifles in Capetown, South Africa
   
   Image No: NA-919-41
   
   Title: Officers of Canadian Mounted Rifles in Capetown, South Africa.
   
   Date: March 1900
   
   Remarks: L-R back row: Lieutenant J. V. Begin; H. J. A. Davidson; Mr. Eustance; Veterinary Surgeon R. Riddell; T. W. Chalmers; Captain A. Ross Cuthbert; Lieutenant Taylor; Captain A. C. Macdonell; Lieutenant Ingles; Father Sinnott; Surgeon Devine.
   L-R front row: Lieutenant Wroughton; Major J. Howe; Captain J. Allan; Colonel L. W. Herchmer; Major G.E. Sanders; Lieutenant Cosby.
   Copied from PD-14-21, Volume 2.
   
   Subject(s): Canadian Mounted Rifles / Canadian Army - Uniforms / Canadian Army - Personnel / Capetown, South Africa - Personnel / South African War, 1899-1902 / Firearms

9. ↑ Robert Riddell, in Washington, United States. Washington, Deaths, 1883-1960
   1944.

   Name: Robert Riddell
   Gender: Male
   Birth Date: abt 1860
   Death Date: 11 Feb 1938
   Age at Death: 78
   Death Location: Seattle, King, Washington
   Father: Walter Riddell
   Mother: Mary Renwick
   Record Source: Washington State Death Records

10. ↑ George Riddell household, in Northumberland, Ontario, Canada. 1881 Census of Canada. (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada)
    4 Apr 1881.

    Enumerated as a Physician. His brother, Robert, who was included in the household was a Veterinary Surgeon.
    
    Name: Robert Riddell
    Gender: Male
    Age: 22
    Birth Year: 1859
    Birthplace: Ontario
    Religion: Canada Presbyterian Church
    Nationality: Scotch (Scotish)
    Occupation: Veterinary Surgeon
    Province: Ontario
    District Number: 124
    District: Northumberland West
    Sub-District Number: C
    Subdistrict: Hamilton
    Division: 3
    Household Members:
    Name Age
    George Riddell 27
    Elizabeth A. Riddell 25
    Robert Riddell 22

11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3} Robert Riddell , in RCMP Graves
    Regimental Number 560.

    Detailed Results for:
    Member Name Riddell, Robert. (Officer year 1886). WWI
    Regimental No. 560
    Other Regimental No.
    Officer No O.77
    NWMP, RNWMP or RCMP NWMP
    Rank Superintendent
    Join Date 07/06/1881
    Joined With Commision No
    Served: Postings/Provinces Fort Walsh, Battleford, Fort MacLeod, Calgary & Regina. 'Depot', 'F' & 'K'. Rec'd Commission on 01/07/1886. 'Depot' Veterinary Surgeon. Resigned
    Other Police Service
    Place of Birth Cobourg, ON
    Date of Birth 12/09/1859
    Date of Death 11/02/1936
    Place of Death Seattle, Washington State, US
    Cemetery Name
    Cemetery City Seattle
    Cemetery Prov State WA
    Cemetery Country USA
    Location of Grave in Cemetery
    GPS Co-ordinates
    Condition of Plot
    Notes
    Mounted Division March West
    Honours or Medals D.V.M. Surgeon
    The Quarterly Index The Quarterly, V5(4)
    Academic References
    With Thanks To Vets Sheldon Boles & AJH 'Joe' Collinson
    Died While Serving No
    Honour Roll No
    'K' Division Wall of Honour No
    Memorials No
    March West Original 300 No
    North West Rebellion No
    South Africa War No
    World War I Yes
    Siberia Yes
    World War II No
    RCMP Provost Corps No
    UN Peacekeeping No
    Picture Link1
    Picture Link2
    Picture Link3
    Picture Link4
    
    Career Comments: Animal Vet. Surgeon.
    The following message was received from Vet Sheldon Boles on 31/10/2010,
    
    'Riddell's name is mentioned on pages 27 & 28 in the book entitled 'Vet in the Saddle': John L. Poett: First Veterinary Surgeon of the NWMP” written by Franklin M. Loew and Edward H. Wood.
    
    Page 27 states “Robert Riddle, one of the very first graduates of a Veterinary College to have become a police veterinary non-comissioned officer, was appointed Veterinary Surgeon in July 1886. Riddle'’s youth and experience – he had been in the Force since 1881 but was still under 30 – seem to have given him an advantage over Poett.
    
    Was also a Canadian citizen and a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, considerable assets at a time when nationalism was such encouraged in senior police appointments.” ('E' Div. Vet. Sheldon Boles).
    
    Appointed Veterinary Surgeon 1886 from S/Sgt at annual salary of $700
    Military Service Comments: At outbreak of NWRebellion at Battleford, SB
    
    On 02/05/1885 was Vet/S/Sgt in Battle of Cut Knife Hill. In Colonel Otter's column.
    
    After resigning from the Force, he served in the WWI. 'B' Squadron, Siberia

12. ↑ Robert Riddell household, in Lewis, Washington, United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule: Fifteenth Census of the United States, NARA Microfilm Publication T626. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration)
    3 Apr 1930.

    Name: Robert Riddell
    Gender: Male
    Birth Year: abt 1860
    Birthplace: Canada
    Race: White
    Home in 1930: Centralia, Lewis, Washington
    Map of Home: View map
    Marital Status: Married
    Immigration Year: 1889
    Relation to Head of House: Head
    Spouse's Name: Anne D Riddell
    Father's Birthplace: Scotland
    Mother's Birthplace: Scotland
    Household Members:
    Name Age
    Robert Riddell 70
    Anne D Riddell 63

13. ↑ Robert Riddell household, in 1921 Census of Canada. (Ottawa, Ontario: Library and Archives Canada)
    1 Jun 1921.

    Robert was enumerated as retired (possibly stroked out) with "income."
    
    Name: Robert Riddell
    Gender: Male
    Marital Status: Married
    Age: 61
    Birth Year: abt 1860
    Birth Place: Ontario
    Relation to Head of House: Head
    Spouse's Name: Annie Dillen Riddell
    Father Birth Place: Scotland
    Mother Birth Place: Scotland
    Racial or Tribal Origin: Scotch (Scotish)
    Province or Territory: British Columbia
    District: Victoria (City)
    District Number: 24
    Sub-District: Ward 5
    Sub-District Number: 30
    City, Town or Village: Victoria
    Street or Township: 460 Chester
    Municipality: Ward 5
    Occupation: Income
    Household Members:
    Name Age
    Robert Riddell 61
    Annie Dillen Riddell 54