Canada of the early 21st century has a political and social reality that differs significantly from the British Imperial era that defined much of Canada in the late Victorian /early Edwardian era. The fortunes of the Legion of Frontiersmen have been closely tied to the influence of "empire" and the two World Wars of the 20th century. The Legion of Frontiersmen was most active immediately preceding the first Great War and revitalized during the 1930s prior to WW2. Following WW2, veterans provided a base for a continuance of the Legion of Frontiersmen. The roles focused on aid to civil powers and auxiliary police or security activities. As the war veterans faded into history, the Legion became less dynamic. Social and political realities have made the initial scheme of providing military scouts, guides, pioneers, and mounted rifles for service an unlikely task. Currently, 'Frontiersmen' in Canada carry on as a living monument to Canada's patriotic history.

•1904/05 -Roger Pocock, a former North West Mounted Police constable, begins the Legion of Frontiersmen.

•1905 - Pocock is in communication with the NWMP about the Legion in Canada.

•1905 - correspondence indicates that Albert Dean Willcocks of 519 Sherbrooke Street, Montreal, Quebec has been appointed Organizer for Canada. (Note: Newfoundland is a separate Colony).

•1909 - correspondence from the commandant in "White Horse", Yukon Territory and the NWMP indicates that the Legion of Frontiersmen were allowed to use the NWMP "machine guns".

•Pre WW1 - units are reported in Victoria, Vancouver, Nelson, Vernon, Asquith, Edmonton, Calgary, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal, and possibly other locations.

•1914 - Legion of Frontiersmen contributes significantly to units such as Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 19th Alberta Dragoons, 49th Battalion (today's Loyal Edmonton Regiment), 210th Frontiersmen Battalion, and many other units of the Great War.

•1914 - in the colony of Newfoundland the Legion of Frontiersmen is reported to have formed most of the original n.c.o. and officer ranks of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

•1916 - news article recruiting for the 210th Frontiersmen Bn. reports that S.W. Caws, of Lac St. Anne, Alberta was the first Frontiersmen commandant, with Peter Gunn being the first 'Frontiersmen' enrolled in Canada, followed by C.H. Dunn of Lake Wabamun. S.W. Caws, a South African war veteran, became a sergeant in the 19th Alberta Dragoons and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. On his last sortie he shot down two of three German aircraft and was killed by the third enemy aircraft.

•1918 - by the end of the Great War, the Legion of Frontiersmen in Canada has ceased activity.

•1920s - the L F. was inactive.

•1930s - under the capable direction of a World War 1 'Patricia', Col. Louis Scott OBE, DCM, ED, the Legion of Frontiersmen was revitalized in Canada. Many new units became active and an affiliation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was gazetted. As well, a field HQ for training (now called Fort. Scott) was established east of Edmonton, and a monument to thousands of fallen Frontiersmen was erected there. Capt. Roger Pocock, the Founder of the Legion of Frontiersmen, was at the unveiling of the monument.

•1937 - the Legion of Frontiersmen (Canadian Division) was formed and two distinct Legion structures existed in Canada.

•1939 - WW2 is declared and able-bodied Legionaires enlist individually in the army, navy, and airforce of Canada. The remaining Frontiersmen become involved in patriotic duties on the home front. A noteworthy contribution involves the raising funds for the donation of a 'Spitfire' fighter aircraft to the war effort.

•Post WW2 - veterans and some younger citizens enrol in the LF and work hard to contribute to their individual communities in a meaningful way. Quickly old traditions are fading and new values are coming to the forefront.

•1950s-'60s & '70s still see the Frontiersmen active in communities, but in diminishing numbers through the decades.

•1980s & '90s in Canada finds the Legion of Frontiersmen in a difficult situation. Few new members are attracted and a constant state of fracturing commands and splinter groups interfere with useful Frontiersmen training and duty.

•TODAY - the Legion of Frontiersmen are reassessing their role and relevance in the 21st century. International contacts are strengthening through rapid travel and communications. Canadian 'Frontiersmen' need to review the founder's early vision of the Legion of Frontiersmen, assess and adapt it to new realities.

God Guard Thee
B.W. Shandro, Capt., Historical & Archives Section, Legion of Frontiersmen of the Commonwealth.

New! John Shiwak- An Inuit Frontiersman
Victoria Volunteer Mounted Rifles
Legion Of Frontiersmen (LOF) Winchester Rifles
A Smuggling Story
Aerial Scouts and Airships
A Canadian Hero

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