Item FC 3216.3 P63 R64 1.1.3.31 - Loose item from 1885 scrapbook: letter to mother (14 October 1885)

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Loose item from 1885 scrapbook: letter to mother (14 October 1885)

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  • Textual records

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FC 3216.3 P63 R64 1.1.3.31

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Date(s)

  • 14 October 1885 (Creation)

Physical description area

Physical description

4 sheets (8 pages) of textual material ; 20.5 x 13.0 cm

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Name of creator

(1865-1941)

Biographical history

Henry Roger Ashewell Pocock was born November 9, 1865 at Cookham, Berkshire, England. He came to Canada with his father in 1882, and settled in Brockville, Ontario. In 1882 and 1883, he attended the Guelph Agricultural College, and subsequently took a job as a surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Pocock enlisted with the North-West Mounted Police at Fort Osborne in 1884. When the North-West Resistance broke out, Pocock marched with Colonel Irvine's relief force from Regina to Prince Albert in the winter weather, freezing his feet during the trek. As a result of the advanced frostbite to his feet, Pocock had to have several toes amputated, rendering him an invalid constable. He kept a diary/scrapbook for each year he was with the N.W.M.P., and later used the collections to write and publish a series of fictional books based on his experiences, the first successful of which was a biographical work titled "Following the Frontier" (N.Y., 1903) also published as "A Frontiersman" (London, 1903). According to Watters (A Check List of Canadian Literature, 1628-1950), Pocock published at least 15 titles between 1888 and 1931. In 1905, Pocock went on to found "The Legion of Frontiersmen of the Commonwealth." He died November 12, 1941.

Custodial history

Scope and content

A handwritten letter from Roger Pocok in [Prince Albert] to his mother in Ontario. Roger writes about new NWMP recruits, and changes of command within the NWMP. The letter is written in two parts, and the second part of the letter is dated 15 September, but may have actually been written 15 October. Roger talks about his inability, for a variety of reasons, to come home to Ontario to be nursed for the winter. He also describes some of the crime in the community and problems with some of the members of the Force.

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  • English

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    All researchers (including students, faculty, visiting scholars, and members of the general public) must submit a Retrieval Request Form at least 24 hours before their visit to Bruce Peel Special Collections in order to be sure that library materials have been retrieved from storage and are available for their use.

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    Finding aids

    Associated materials

    his letter was a loose item in the 1885 Pocock scrapbook.

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    General note

    Formerly accessioned as 2008.6.1.1.1.31

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