Garda Review, May 1977

Cover Image Description: Historical photo, headshot of man in uniform. Caption: When the Royal Canadian Mounted Police appeared in the RDS earlier this month few people realised that an Irishman was the first Commissioner of that force. Roscommon born Sir Arthur French was commissioned in the Royal Artillery in 1860. In 1871, at the request of the Canadian Government, he was sent to Canada to act as an Inspector of Artillery. With the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian militia. French was the first commander of "A" Battery and Head of the School of Gunnery at Kingston. He was appointed to organise the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on its creation in 1873. He returned to the British Army in 1876 and was appointed major general in 1900. In 1902 he retired and died in London on 7th July, 1921.