Sub-series consists of personnel files for members of the RCMP and its predecessors, the RNWMP and the NWMP. The sub-series spans early service records of RCMP members from its creation in 1873 to service records dated as recently as 1999. Included are records for Regular Force members, Officers, Special Constables, Auxiliary Constables, and Surgeons of the force. Service records of the Prince Albert Volunteers, a volunteer militia group that fought alongside the NWMP during the 1885 North-West Rebellion, are also found in this sub-series The richness and completeness of the service records vary, with the majority of records dating to the early years of the force between 1873 and 1904. The sub-series includes the service records of all members of the NWMP up to 1904. After 1904, only files identified as historically important by the RCMP and Library and Archives Canada have been kept. For example, the service records of members who served in either the First or Second World War have been kept, as have the records for members who died while on duty.
Service files of members usually include enrollment papers, contract and terms, oath of allegiance, medical reports and discharge certificate. Also included, where applicable, is their receipt for a land warrant, claims for pay and clothing and compensation or pension details. Correspondence responding to inquiries about ex-members of the Force, short biographies, newspaper clippings and photographs appear on some of the files.
Within the sub-series several copies of the same service record may be found in paper and microfiche in several volumes. The RCMP often created two sets of microfiche of the original paper records: the diazo set, and the silvermaster set. In the situation where multiple versions of a service record exist in the sub-series, the microfiche copy is the most complete archival record as in many cases parts of the paper record were destroyed after microfilming. In cases where both diazo and silvermaster microfiche exist, the two sets will be identical. The diazo should always be used.
Service records for the Regular Force begin in 1873 with the personnel files of the early members of the NWMP. Paper files of the service records of the early years of the Regular Force to 1904 can be found in volumes 3318-3436 of this sub-series. Microfilm copies of volumes 3318-3364 were created by Library and Archives Canada and can be found on reels T-18200 to T-18242 in LAC's microfilm consultation room at 395 Wellington, Ottawa. A diazo microfiche set of the Regular Force early service records is located in volumes 10048 to 10061, and a silvermaster set is located in volumes 10037 to 10047. In the sub-series, Regular Force service records created beyond 1904 are fewer in number. The paper version of these later service records can be found in volumes 4835 to 4860 (microfiche equivalent found in Box 1, registration 1994-95/309 GAD), volumes 10065 to 10089 (diazo and silvermaster versions can be found in volume 10090), and volumes 11300-11326 (diazo and silvermaster versions can be found in R196 volumes 12300-12307).
Officer files also begin in 1873 with the service record for the first Commissioner of the force, George French. Paper versions of Officer service records are found in volumes 3436 to 3465 and 4835 to 4860. Diazo microfiche versions are in volumes 10048 to 10061. Silvermaster microfiche are found in volumes 10037 to 10047. Diazo and silvermaster can both be found in R196 volumes 12300-12307, as well as Box 1, registration 1994-95/309 GAD.
In addition to Regular Force and Officer service records, this sub-series includes personnel files for Special Constables and Auxiliary Constables of the RCMP. Special Constables are members of the RCMP that undertake specific duties which do not require the full power of a Regular Force Constable. Examples of service records for Special Constables found in this sub-series include Painters, Native Interpreters, and Cooks that served with the RCMP. Paper versions of Special Constable service records are found in volumes 3634, and 4835 to 4860. Microfiche copies are located in Box 1, registration 1994-95/309 GAD. The rank of Auxiliary Constable was created by the RCMP in 1963 as an unpaid and volunteer position. This sub-series contains some service records for Auxiliary Constables that served between 1963 and 1993. These are in paper form and are found in volumes 10065 to 10089. The Service Records sub-series also includes the personnel records of Surgeons who served with the RCMP from its early years into the 20th century. These records are in paper form and are found in volumes 3570 to 3573.
Volumes 3466, 3544, 7196 to 7227, and Box 33 (1997-98/387 GAD) contain a mix of service records that span Regular Force members, Officers, and Special Constables. Some of these records are of notable members. For example, volume 3466 contains service files for the first Mountie to fly North and members of the Lost Patrol to name a few.
Service records of the Prince Albert Volunteers, a volunteer militia group that fought alongside the NWMP during the 1885 North-West Rebellion, are also found in this sub-series in volumes 3573-3577. These files contain information put together to extend the Military Bounty benefits to those Prince Albert Volunteers who served temporarily as scouts or members during the conflict.
