By Alyssa Leier, Curator at The Exploration Place

Sound Off

Remembering Constable John Robert Burns

Jul 4, 2019 | 9:36 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — Museums and Archives can be important resources for answering questions about the past. Archives hold countless stories and we are always excited to play a part in sharing them.

Researchers often use archives to understand and interpret the past. Many times, they are using primary sources to do so. These original, first-hand accounts act as building blocks in the telling of important historical narratives.

Back in April, The Exploration Place was able to play a small part in the telling of one of these narratives. We were contacted by Sgt. Jonathan Sheldan, M.O.M. of the Victoria Police Department. He is also a founding member of the British Columbia Law Enforcement Memorial.

Sgt. Jonathan Sheldan was looking for any information that The Exploration Place might be holding in relation to an Officer by the name of John Robert Burns.

John Robert Burns was believed to have been born in England in 1886. He joined the BC Provincial Police in Vancouver in 1913. His first postings included Ladysmith, Duncan and Willow River B.C.

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Burns was said to have been killed near Fort George in May of 1915. Although not confirmed, it was believed he drowned while on duty in the Fraser River.

Although our team was not familiar with the name, we set out to search the collection in hopes we could find something that would be useful in the research Sgt. Jonathan Sheldan was conducting on behalf of the BCLEM.

We quickly found two photographs of Constable Burns posing alongside other BC Provincial Police members from the area. One of these photos proved to be a valuable source of information. What made this photograph of significant interest was the handwriting on it. The writing identified Cst. Burns with an arrow and read “R. Burns Drowned in Fraser River May 1915” in pencil. But who wrote it?

This collection of photos belonged to Harry Wood and is an assemblage of moments from both his professional and personal life. Harry was also a member of the BC Provincial Police and was stationed at South Fort George. He is also in this particular photo right next to Cst. Burns. This was the sort of confirmation we were looking for; a corroborating message from someone who worked with and personally knew Cst. Burns.

Following up on this photo, we searched the local digitized newspapers. We found several articles that pertained to Cst. Burns’ death and confirmed that he was killed while on duty along the Fraser River.

Sgt. Jonathan Sheldan found similar information in other historical newspapers from around the province. From the gathered evidence, the following story was concluded:

In May of 1915, a report of thefts on Woodpecker Island, some 50 miles south of Fort George, required Cst. Burns attendance. He departed via canoe accompanied by Game Warden Martin Clark of Fort George and Edwin F.W. Heath, a local Forestry Officer.

The Fraser River then was a highly dangerous travel route dependent on water levels and snowmelt runoff; however, it was an effective highway in a remote area of BC.

During their southward travel, the three portaged their canoe near Fort George Canyon approximately twenty miles south of Fort George. After returning to the water briefly, the laden canoe overturned in the area of the canyon, with Burns giving instructions to Heath to hang onto the boat. The lone survivor (Heath) let go, used a blanket bundle as a float, and was able to swim to shore in an exhausted state. He observed the boat and saw Burns letting go at a bend of the river. Heath believed Burns sank at that time.

A search took place for the first days following the loss along the banks and numerous sand bars; CLARK’s body was recovered on May 20th. It was reported that with water levels rising rapidly with the snow runoff, recovery of Burns’ remains was believed to be unlikely.

However, on July 1st, 1915, the badly decomposed body of Cst. Burns was located at the confluence of the Blackwater (now West Road) and Fraser Rivers, lodged on a sandbar. The remains had been located by a local rancher and transported by J. W. Sandiford, the undertaker. Burns was positively identified from a tattoo and dental work. It was reported that his remains were taken to Ladysmith and a funeral service was held on Saturday July 10th, 1915.

A formal report was submitted by Sgt. Jonathan Sheldan to the E-Division RCMP and the BC Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation for Cst. Burns’ name to be added to the BC Law Enforcement Memorial in Victoria, also known as the Bastion.

We have recently been told that the investigation into the death of BCPP Cst. Burns has been approved and that they have granted to have Burns’ name inscribed onto the Bastion. His name (with one other addition this year) will be added to the list of 127 men and women that have given their lives during service as police/peace officers in British Columbia since 1859.

Cst. John Robert Burns’ name will be added to the Bastion this summer prior to the annual Memorial event on the last Sunday of September. His name and service will not be forgotten.