Background
JARVIS, Arthur Murray was born on April 6, 1863. Son of Acting Sheriff, Osgoode Hall, Toronto.
JARVIS, Arthur Murray was born on April 6, 1863. Son of Acting Sheriff, Osgoode Hall, Toronto.
Toronto, Ontario.
Joined Canadian North-West Mounted Police, 1880. Served throughout second North-West Riel Rebellion, 1885 (medal). Selected by Commissioner Herchemer, 1896, to enter the unorganised territories in the Athabasca and Peace River Districts, and report on the buffalo, game, fisheries, and other matters of interest to the Government.
Travelled over two thousand miles with dog teams and sleds. Appointed Stipendiary Magistrate for Kootenay County, British Columbia, 1897, and placed in command of Police on construction of the Crow’s Nest Pass Railway. Built Police post at summit of Rocky Mountains.
Commanded expedition, 1898, with a detachment of twenty-six men, North-West Mounted Police, over the Dalton trail in the Yukon. Established the international boundary line on that trail, and built strong fort at foot of summit of Chilkat Pass, also posts along the trail. Appointed by Dominion Government, Collector of Customs and Mining Recorder for Yukon, and by the British Columbia Government, Stipendiary Magistrate, County Vancouver.
Given commission as Major, 1900, in the British service, in Lord Strathcona’s Horse, for service in South Africa. Commanded B squadron of that corps. Served under General Sir Red vers Buller in Earl Dundonald’s 3rd Mounted Brigade, also under Generals C. Knox and Barton.
Served in Cape Colony, Natal, Zululand, Transvaal, Basutoland, and Orange River Colony. Commanded squadron which entered the towns of Amersfort, Ermelo, and Pilgrim’s Rest, in advance of the army. Also commanded a squadron of South African Light Horse, one company of the Royal Engineers, and B squadron of Lord Strathcona's Horse, at Sabies Drift, in the Lydenberg Mountains, in advance of Gen Sir Redvers Buller’s army (despatches medal with clasps).
Decorated for meritorious and distinguished service in the field. Magistrate and in command of outposts of Canadian North-West Mounted Police on Yukon River since 1902.