Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1932-1941 (Creation)
Level of description
Manuscript Collection
Extent and medium
1 box
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
British soldier, writer, adventurer, member of the North West Mounted Police, founder of the Legion of the Frontiersmen. After serving on the training ship Wellesley, Pocock went to western Canada to serve with the Royal North-West Mounted Police. Reporting to Winnipeg in 1884, Pocock fought in the second Riel Rebellion and suffered such severe frost bite that he was discharged with a pension and position in the Civil Service. The quiet life did not suit him and within a year he was ready to resume his life of adventure. He decided to explore the region of the Rockies, planning a trip that would take him along the Rockies from Canada to Mexico. He travelled by train to British Columbia where he disembarked at Kamloops, where he outfitte himself for his travels. From Kamloops began his 3,600 mile, 200 day journey during which he made his way as journalist, missionary, trader, scout and prospector. An account of this journey including his extensive travels in western Canada can be found in his book, The Frontiersmen. In addition to this title, several of his works both non-fiction and fiction deal with Canada, particularly the west. Pocock's works are listed in Watters.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Includes material relating to Roger Pocock and the Legion of the Frontiersmen. Correspondence between Pocock and fellow 'Frontiersman' Charles Palmer, 1932-1941; Driscoll to Palmer; a signed photograph of Pocock; a signed dinner menu from Imperial Overseas Legion of Frontiersmen Reunion Dinner; and two Manuals for the Canadian Branch of the Frontiersmen.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Material may be requested in person at the Fisher Library Reference Desk, or in advance using our online stack retrieval request form: https://fisher.library.utoronto.ca/stack-retrieval-request
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English