TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON - The four members of the RCMP who lost their lives on an epic patrol by dog sled between Fort McPherson and Dawson City in 1911 were honoured once more in the community they protected.

Const. Christopher Whynot, Const. Francois Cote, left, Const. Russell Jackson, Const. Duncan Osmond and Sgt. Chad Orr of the Fort McPherson RCMP detachment salute the four fallen members of the "Lost Patrol" during the 100th anniversary of their funeral on March 28 in Fort McPherson. - photo by Caroline Jennefer Payton

Current-day Fort McPherson detachment members, along with officers from Yellowknife and Whitehorse gathered at the lost patrol's grave sites on March 28 to honour the men with a full regimental funeral to mark the 100th anniversary of their burial.

The funeral included a traditional 1911-style graveside ceremony, which included laying wreaths, obituaries for the lost patrol and three rifle volleys. Afterward, 25 snowmobilers carrying 40 riders travelled to the two cairns along the Peel River where members of the lost patrol were found, three months after their departure.

"It was absolutely fantastic. The re-creation of the funeral went really well and we had a good turnout from the community," said Sgt. Chad Orr, detachment commander in Fort McPherson. "We're giving them the whole nine yards. We need to acknowledge and remember the members that came before us. They did a job that was important."

Between 1904 and 1921, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police made annual dog team patrols from Dawson City to Fort McPherson, to deliver mail and dispatches. On Dec. 21, 1910, Insp. Francis Fitzgerald, constables Richard Taylor and George Kinney, and their guide special constable Sam Carter headed south from McPherson to Dawson City.

They never arrived at their destination. When the patrol was a month overdue, a relief patrol from Dawson City was dispatched to search for them on Feb. 28, 1911. The bodies of the first members of the patrol were found on March 21.

The search team, led by Cpl. William Dempster, found Kinney and Taylor side-by-side at an open camp. Kinney had succumbed to starvation, while Taylor had shot himself. It appeared the patrol had turned back to Fort McPherson after experiencing difficulty with deep snow and cold weather.

On March 22, they found Fitzgerald and Carter, who had apparently left in an attempt to find help, but also succumbed to the cold and hunger, just 40 km from Fort McPherson.

To properly acknowledge the patrol, the chaplain researched ceremonies from the era and RCMP members received lessons on how to properly do a rifle salute. The detachment has been planning the event for eight months.

"That's the thing about history; if you keep it in front of you, you won't lose it," Orr said. "It's one thing to have it in front of you, it's another thing to live it."

The festivities commemorating the "Lost Patrol" will continue in Dawson City in August. The RCMP detachment there will host a regimental ball on Aug. 27, with members in red serge and partners decked out in formal wear or period costumes. The public is also invited to attend.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.