Victor Brereton Rivers
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel Victor Brereton Rivers was the first Intelligence Staff Officer of the Canadian militia on 6 February 1901. His staff work led shortly after, on 1 April 1903, to the formation of the Corps of Guides (Canada), a forerunner of the Canadian Forces Intelligence Branch.
. He was educated as part of the first class at the Royal Military College of Canada
in Kingston, Ontario
, student #10, one of the “Old Eighteen.” He entered the college on 1 June 1876. Since cadets received their numbers based on their standings in the entrance examinations, he was 10 of 18. As a sergeant, having completed his full period of instruction at the College, he was granted a second-class certificate of graduation dated 30 June 1880. The Dominion Annual Register and Review recorded that the aggregate number of marks he obtained was 24274 (honours).
. As a lieutenant in 'A' Battery Quebec, he was a veteran of the Battle of Fish Creek
(April 24, 1885) and the Battle of Batoche
(May 5–12, 1885). At the Battle of Fish Creek, District of Saskatchewan
, the Dominion forces under General Middleton attempting to quell Louis Riel
's North-West Rebellion
retreated. At the Battle of Batoche, District of Saskatchewan, the Dominion forces defeated the Métis
' attempt to maintain Aboriginal independence in the disputed "Canadian" North-West Territories.
He was elected president of the Royal Military College Club in 1891.
During the Second Boer War
in South Africa (1899–1902), Canadian mounted troops gathered information of intelligence value with the Strathcona’s Horse and British scout units. Canadian intelligence efforts in South Africa led to his appointment on 6 February 1901 as the first Intelligence Staff Officer of the Canadian Militia. He reported to the first Director General of Military Intelligence (DGMI) Brevet-Major William A.C. Denny, Royal Army Service Corps. His staff work led shortly after, on 1 April 1903, to the formation of the Corps of Guides (Canada), “The Guides should be intelligent men and capable of active work with a knowledge of the topographical features of the country as well as the roads, the country between the roads, sidepaths, names of farmers, etc. in the area, and when possible, should be in possession of a horse.” This organization was the forerunner of the Canadian Forces Intelligence Branch. He served as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Militia headquarters staff, Ottawa.
Early life
He was born in 1860 and lived in Brockville, OntarioBrockville, Ontario
Brockville is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada, in the Thousand Islands region. Though it serves as the seat of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Brockville is politically independent and is grouped with Leeds and Grenville for census purposes only.Known as the "City of the 1000...
. He was educated as part of the first class at the Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, student #10, one of the “Old Eighteen.” He entered the college on 1 June 1876. Since cadets received their numbers based on their standings in the entrance examinations, he was 10 of 18. As a sergeant, having completed his full period of instruction at the College, he was granted a second-class certificate of graduation dated 30 June 1880. The Dominion Annual Register and Review recorded that the aggregate number of marks he obtained was 24274 (honours).
Career
He became a career soldier with the Canadian Permanent Active MilitiaPermanent Active Militia
Permanent Active Militia was the proper name of Canada's full-time professional land forces from the 19th century to 1940 when the Canadian Army was so designated....
. As a lieutenant in 'A' Battery Quebec, he was a veteran of the Battle of Fish Creek
Battle of Fish Creek
The Battle of Fish Creek , fought April 24, 1885 at Fish Creek, Saskatchewan, was a major Métis victory over the Dominion forces attempting to quell Louis Riel's North-West Rebellion...
(April 24, 1885) and the Battle of Batoche
Battle of Batoche
The Battle of Batoche was the decisive battle of the North-West Rebellion. Fought from 9 May to 12 May 1885 at the ad hoc Provisional Government of Saskatchewan capital of Batoche, the greater numbers and superior firepower of Middleton's force could not be successfully countered by the Métis ,...
(May 5–12, 1885). At the Battle of Fish Creek, District of Saskatchewan
District of Saskatchewan
The District of Saskatchewan was a regional administrative district of Canada's Northwest Territories. Much of the area was incorporated into the province of Saskatchewan. The western part became part of Alberta, and the eastern part is now part of Manitoba. Its capital was Prince Albert...
, the Dominion forces under General Middleton attempting to quell Louis Riel
Louis Riel
Louis David Riel was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies. He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government and its first post-Confederation Prime Minister, Sir John A....
's North-West Rebellion
North-West Rebellion
The North-West Rebellion of 1885 was a brief and unsuccessful uprising by the Métis people of the District of Saskatchewan under Louis Riel against the Dominion of Canada...
retreated. At the Battle of Batoche, District of Saskatchewan, the Dominion forces defeated the Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
' attempt to maintain Aboriginal independence in the disputed "Canadian" North-West Territories.
He was elected president of the Royal Military College Club in 1891.
During the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
in South Africa (1899–1902), Canadian mounted troops gathered information of intelligence value with the Strathcona’s Horse and British scout units. Canadian intelligence efforts in South Africa led to his appointment on 6 February 1901 as the first Intelligence Staff Officer of the Canadian Militia. He reported to the first Director General of Military Intelligence (DGMI) Brevet-Major William A.C. Denny, Royal Army Service Corps. His staff work led shortly after, on 1 April 1903, to the formation of the Corps of Guides (Canada), “The Guides should be intelligent men and capable of active work with a knowledge of the topographical features of the country as well as the roads, the country between the roads, sidepaths, names of farmers, etc. in the area, and when possible, should be in possession of a horse.” This organization was the forerunner of the Canadian Forces Intelligence Branch. He served as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Militia headquarters staff, Ottawa.
Family
He married Maud Gertrude. Their home in Ottawa, Ontario, was in the locality of Wilbrod, Stewart and Daly Avenue. Their son, Henry H. Gildersleeve, was general manager of the Northern Navigation Company.Books
- 4237 Dr. Adrian Preston & Peter Dennis (Edited) "Swords and Covenants" Rowman And Littlefield, London. Croom Helm. 1976.
- H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College of Canada" 1997 Toronto, University of Toronto PressUniversity of Toronto PressUniversity of Toronto Press is Canada's leading scholarly publisher and one of the largest university presses in North America. Founded in 1901, UTP has published over 6,500 books, with well over 3,500 of these still in print....
, 1969. - H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "Canada's RMC - A History of Royal Military College" Second Edition 1982
- H16511 Dr. Richard Preston "R.M.C. and Kingston: The effect of imperial and military influences on a Canadian community" 1968
- H1877 R. Guy C. Smith (editor) "As You Were! Ex-Cadets Remember". In 2 Volumes. Volume I: 1876-1918. Volume II: 1919-1984. Royal Military College. [Kingston]. The R.M.C. Club of Canada. 1984