Uniforms returned to local detachment

Kitimat

2023-11-01 13:33 PDT

After years of being in storage and moving around the province, the daughters of the late RCMP Sgt James Smythe, 1928-2019, decided to bring several RCMP issued items to the Kitimat RCMP detachment.

With only 5 years service in 1952, Cst James Smythe, Regimental number 15302, was sent to Kitimat by the RCMP to open the first RCMP Detachment in the area. Smythe was originally set up in an abandoned first aid tent, then a building was provided in the original Kitimat town site. After meeting his future bride, Joan Ingram, in Kitimat, and getting married, Smythe was transferred to New Hazelton, then on to several other detachments, including an overseas deployment. Smythe retired from the police force in 1972, after 25 years service.

photo of the late James Smythe regimental number 15302 in front of the original detachment

View larger image: Photo of the late James Smythe regimental number 15302 in front of the original detachment

The detachment has worked with the Kitimat Museum and Archives for a temporary display of some of the items which will be viewable for the month of November, 2023. A permanent display is being looked into at the Kitimat RCMP Detachment in the future.

‘Having Joanna and Charlene recognize the importance of the history of Kitimat and sharing these items with the local community is appreciated’ stated Kitimat RCMP Detachment Commander, S/Sgt Graham Morgan.

Daughters of teh late James Smythe and Sgt Gardner in front of the Kitimat RCMP detachment holding different era RCMP tunics