| HISTORY/BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: | Dates of founding and/or dissolution:
The Veterans Volunteer Reserve was established on June 19, 1940 by Order-in-Council (O.C.) 844/40. It was disbanded on March 31, 1945 by O.C. 318/45.
Functional responsibility:
The role of the Veterans Volunteer Reserve was to provide constables to support the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and local police forces within Alberta until such as time as military forces were able again to provide sufficient civilian protection. Recruited from veterans of World War I, the constables were appointed through the Constables Act (R.S.A 1922, c.84).
The constables served in local units located across the province. The units undertook physical training and marksmanship drills, received lectures on military techniques, provided first aid services, developed air raid precaution plans, and gathered intelligence data on deserters and individuals violating wartime regulations.
Predecessor and successor bodies:
There were no predecessor or successor bodies to the Veterans Volunteer Reserve.
Administrative relationships:
The Veterans Volunteer Reserve reported to the Attorney General.
Administrative Structure:
An appointed board oversaw the activities of the Veterans Volunteer Reserve. The Board appointed Major Ronald C. Arthurs as its Executive Officer to oversee day-to-day operations.
By 1941, the Reserve comprised 180 units, which included rural units as well as larger battalions formed in North Edmonton, South Edmonton, Calgary, Wetaskiwin and District, Red Deer and District, and Lethbridge and District.
Names of Chief Officers
Chair, Veterans Volunteer Reserve
George B. Henwood, 1940-1943
Henry Jackson Wilson, 1943-1945
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