Background
STEELE, Samuel Benfield was born on January 5, 1849 in Purbrook, County Simcoe, Canada. 4th son of Captain Elmes Steele, Royal Navy, of Coleford, Gloucestershire, and 2nd wife, Anne, youngest daughter of Neil Maclan Macdonald, of Islay.
STEELE, Samuel Benfield was born on January 5, 1849 in Purbrook, County Simcoe, Canada. 4th son of Captain Elmes Steele, Royal Navy, of Coleford, Gloucestershire, and 2nd wife, Anne, youngest daughter of Neil Maclan Macdonald, of Islay.
Orillia, County Simcoe. British American Commercial College, Toronto. 35th Battalion Simcoe Foresters, 1866.
Qualified with 2nd Battalion 17th Regiment (now the Leicestershires).
Served Red River Expedition, 1870 (medal with three clasps). Joined Canadian Permanent Artillery on the return of the expedition. Joined the North-West Mounted Police, 1873.
Inspector, 1878; Superintendent, 1885. Served campaign of 1885 in North-West Canada, and was present at action of Frenchman’s Butte. Commanded the Mounted Force in pursuit of Big Bear’s Band and the Wood Crees (despatches, medal -with clasp).
Commanded “D” Division of the North-West Mounted Police in an expedition into Kootenay, British Columbia, to restore order (thanked in General Orders). Commanded the NorthWest Mounted Police posts on the summits of the White and Chilkoot passes during the rush of the miners into the Klondyke, 1898. Was magistrate and had charge of the Customs (thanked by the Governor-General in Council).
Commanded the North-WTest Mounted Police in the Yukon territory during the organisation of the same in 1898-1899, and was a member of the Council for the governing of the territory. Commandant of Lord Strathcona’e Corps in Boer War, 1899-1901 (despatches twice, Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel, Member of the Royal Victorian Order, Companion of the Bath, Queen’s medal, three clasps, King’s medal, two clasps). Commanded Northern Transvaal Division S.A.C., 1901-1906 (thanked by High Commissioners, Lord Selborne and Lord Milner).
Recreaitons: riding, shooting big game, boating, takes an interest in all sports. Commanding Military District No. 10, Canada.
Clubs: United Empire; Manitoba.
Spouse 1890, Marie Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Harwood, a Seigneur of Vaudreuil, P.Q., Canada.