by Keith Retallick
Born at Marazion, Cornwall
2nd December 1865
Died at Grande Prairie, Alberta
4th October 1924
Served with the British Forces in Egypt, 1882, and was present at the taking of Alexandria, following which he came to Canada and joined the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. He served with the Corps in the Riel Rebellion 1885. In the Great War, 1914 – 1918, he served first with the 48th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, and later with 3rd Battalion, Canadian Pioneers. In December, 1916, he was transferred to Canadian Railway Troops, Headquarters Staff. For Gallant and Distinguished Service in the Field, he was twice Mentioned in Despatches and Decorated with the Order of the British Empire.
The above photograph of Major John Ley Retallack hangs in a museum aboard the SS “Moyie” in Kaslo, British Columbia. Kaslo stands on the Kootenay Lake, in the Rocky Mountains where the old paddle steamer “Moyie” used to ply its trade.
The Major’s fame lives on because an old mining ghost town bearing his name lies about 25 miles to the west of Kaslo where at one time silver mining prospered.
Today, the remains of a one-time prosperous mining venture has given place to a ski centre known as Whitewater. It seems the Cornish dream of riches from the ground has once again faded in favour of the all-pervasive leisure industry of the modern world. I doubt if you would find a Pasty any where near Retallack today.
If you want to read more, get a copy of “Ghost Towns of British Columbia” by Bruce Ramsey