Overview:
Detective Samuel Siciliano was born on October 2, 1886 in the small Southern Italian town of Cosenza.[1] As a young man, he would eventual relocate to Victoria, BC where he would become a detective in the Victoria Police Department. On August 11, 1915, Det. Siciliano enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and joined the newly formed 11th Canadian Mounted Rifles (11th C.M.R.) out of Victoria as a private.
On the day of his enlistment, Siciliano stood at 5’5”, with brown eyes and black hair – he left his wife, Mary behind in Victoria whilst he was overseas.[2]
During the course of the war, Siciliano was injured in the line of duty – however it did not prevent him from continuing to serve his country and he eventually returned to Victoria and resumed his role as a detective for the Victoria Police Department.
Before Deployment Overseas:
In January 1911, Samuel Siciliano became a detective in the Victoria Police Department, where he would quickly gain a positive reputation as an excellent detective capable of tracking down even the most elusive criminals.[3] Det. Siciliano’s work to uphold the law and the safety of the residents of Victoria, would be featured throughout the years preceding the war in the local newspaper, The Daily Colonist, with articles elaborating on his role in several foot chases,[4] and the tracking down of stolen property.[5]
On Wednesday, July 10, 1912 Det. Samuel Siciliano married Mary Zarelli in a quiet ceremony preformed at St. Andrew’s Catholic Cathedral, by Father Laterme.[6] Siciliano’s best man was a fellow detective named John Fry. A day after the ceremony Siciliano and his new bride went to Seattle Portland and San Francisco for several days on their honey moon. His fellow members at the Victoria Police Department gave him a ‘handsome clock’, as a wedding present.[7]
Training and Overseas Service:
It took the 11th Canadian Mounted Rifles almost a year after their construction to fully staff and train 34 officers and 883 men of other ranks.[8] Due to the realities of the conflict, the Canadian Mounted Rifles, was converted to an infantry division and redesignated the 11th ‘overseas’ Canadian Mounted Rifles. On June 21, 1916 the 11th C.M.R. soldiers marched down Fort Street, being met by friends and acquaintances on both sides of the road; many of whom were wearing flags, colourful hats as well as wearing flowers which were distributed by the ladies of Victoria, but all were smiling and enthusiastic for these brave men.
At two o’clock in the afternoon, the Sir Lieutenant-Governor Francis Barnard address the men of the 11th C.M.R.
“About a year ago in Vancouver I had the pleasure of inspecting you when, as a mounted regiment, you appeared anxious and ready for service abroad. Since then military exigencies necessitated your conversion into an infantry battalion which was cheerfully, if regretfully, undertaken by both officers and men with the hope that you would thus earlier reach the scene of activity on the continent of Europe. However, the delay which you have had to put up with has, I am sure. Had the effect of rendering you all the more fit and ready for the important work now awaiting you in France where our Canadian troops are continuing to distinguish themselves and where you will add to the glory which has already been won by your predecessors. On behalf of the people of British Columbia, and for myself, I wish you Godspeed, good luck, and a speed return to British Columbia.”[9]
At 3pm on June 21, 1916 Det. Siciliano and the 11th C.M.R. boarded the Princess Charlotte docked at the C.P.R. deport on Belleville Street, headed for Vancouver.[10] The men aboard the ship were ecstatic, as the anxious waiting to do the work they enlisted for was finally over, and the sphere of action was several days closer.
After training all over British Columbia, Det. Siciliano boarded the S.S. Lapland from Halifax on July 17, 1916, arriving in Liverpool eight days later. The 11th C.M.R.’s primarily role was one of reinforcement, and began to send men to France between the 7th, and 29th Battalions as well as the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles. Due to this, Siciliano was subjected to being moved from regiment to regiment, where ever he was needed. During this time, he suffered a minor injury, one which did not prevent him from continuing to serve his fellow soldiers, and one that would not prevent him from returning to his wife. On January 20, 1917 the 11th C.M.R. and the 172nd battalion amalgamated to form the 24th Canadian Reserve Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G.H. Kirkpatrick.
The 11th Canadian Mounted Rifles would finally be disbanded by Privy Council order 1917 of July 27, 1918 and General order 07 of November 15.[11]
After the end of the war, Det. Siciliano returned home to his wife, and continued to protect the people of Victoria from all sorts of crime, hazards, and any threats that might have risen.
His name will forever reside on the granite tablet commemorating the brave officers of the Victoria Police Department who enlisted in the First World War, which is now located in the Hall of Honour at the Victoria Police Department.
Written by Clayton King
References:
[1] Siciliano, Samuel. “Attestation Paper,” Library and Archives Canada RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 8727-9
[3] Gave Officers a Chase, The Daily Colonist, April 8th, 1914. Pg. 6. (Accessible http://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist56y100uvic#page/n4/mode/1up)
[4] Ibid.
[5] Will Explain to Magistrate, The Daily Colonist, June 15, 1913. Pg. 7. (Accessible http://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist55y158uvic#page/n0/mode/1up)
[6] Social and Personal, The Daily Colonist, July 11, 1912. Pg. 2. (Accessible: http://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57179uvic#page/n0/mode/1up)
[7] Ibid.
[8] 11th Canadian Mounted Rifles, Guide to the Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada. Pg. 47. (Accessible at www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/005/f2/005-1142.29.012-e.pdf)
[9]11th C.M.R. Are Off for Active Service, The Daily Colonist, June 21, 1916. Pg. 5. (Accessible: http://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist58y165uvic#page/n3/mode/1up)
[10] Ibid.
[11] 11th Canadian Mounted Rifles, Guide to the Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada. Pg. 47. (Accessible at www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/005/f2/005-1142.29.012-e.pdf)