NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY
********************
The Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) “OMAH from Home” is a campaign to keep OMAH connected to the community by showcasing our History Speakers virtually via YouTube.
The talks continue with speaker Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Chaplain Gerry McMillan. He tells the story of one of the most tragic days in RCMP History when five RCMP officers died on Lake Simcoe, over sixty years ago, on June 7, 1958. Gerry is very close to this story. He has researched it extensively, and was honored to take part in the 50th anniversary tribute for these fallen RCMP members.
The recent murder of RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson, along with so many others killed in the tragic shootings in Nova Scotia, is a reminder of the inherent dangers of police work. Since 1873, over two hundred RCMP officers have died in the performance of their duties.
This tragic day in RCMP history, in the waters of Lake Simcoe near Georgina Island, took the lives of one seasoned corporal and four young officers.
Cpl. Herbert Smart, Cont. Maurice Melnychuk, and Const. George Ransom were from the Toronto RCMP Divisional Headquarters. Const. David Perry and Glen Farough were from the Orillia RCMP Detachment.
In an Orillia Packet & Times article it was pointed out that the Constables Perry and Farough were well-known and popular members of the community, which made their loss more poignant.
Early Saturday morning, June 7, 1958, the RCMP had arrested three men near Beaverton for alcohol violations. Around 10:30 p.m. that day the five officers set out by RCMP boat to Georgina Island to continue their investigation. At the time, the weather was fair and calm.
But Lake Simcoe, a very unpredictable lake, can turn violent with little warning
This day was no exception. Southern Ontario would face dangerous weather that day. A total of 14 people drowned in Ontario lakes that weekend.
The officers would not complete their trip. Whatever took place on that fateful day robbed the world of five heroes who were willing to dedicate their lives to service.
To hear more about McMillan's insights and observations about this tragic day on Lake Simcoe over 60 years ago, please go to the Orillia Museum of Art and History link https://youtu.be/lYBVaSjbK1M
OMAH is a not-for-profit organization. OMAH board members, staff and volunteers, extend gratitude to our donors, friends, artisans, historians and the community at large for your continued and generous contributions. We bring people together, provide a safe space for collaboration, and inspire creativity and celebrate history.
Please consider becoming a part of OMAH’S community by engaging with us virtually. For general inquiries please email: [email protected].
********************
