Sam Steele

To see a Heritage Moment on Sam Steele, visit this link.

Sam Steele was born on January 5, 1849, in Medonte Township, just east of Barrie, Ontario. Coming from a family with a strong military tradition, Steele received part of his education at the Royal Military School, a private institution in Orillia.

Steele first saw active service as a member of the militia during the Fenian Raids of 1866. Four years later, he headed west with the Red River Expedition of 1870, sent to suppress Louis Riel’s Red River Rebellion—though he arrived only after the Métis had surrendered, much to his disappointment.

In 1871, Steele joined Canada’s first regular army unit, part of the Permanent Force artillery. He was assigned to Fort Henry in Kingston, where he served as an instructor at the artillery school. By 1873, he had become the third officer sworn into the newly-formed North-West Mounted Police (NWMP), entering as a staff constable. Steele helped lead recruits to Fort Garry (present-day Winnipeg) and played a key role in training them.

During the North-West Rebellion, Steele commanded a small detachment of about two dozen Mounties that defeated Big Bear’s forces in what became the last battle fought on Canadian soil.

By 1885, Steele had risen to the rank of superintendent, serving at several forts across the North-West. In the late 1890s, he was sent to the Klondike to maintain law and order during the Gold Rush. The NWMP’s actions there became internationally famous, and by July 1898, Steele commanded all forces in the Yukon.

In 1900, Steele returned to the military as the first commanding officer of Lord Strathcona’s Horse, a cavalry unit later deployed to South Africa during the Second Boer War. After the unit’s return to Canada in 1901, Steele went back to South Africa to lead the “B” Division of the South African Constabulary, serving there until 1906.

During the First World War, Steele requested active duty but was initially rejected due to his age. He was allowed to command the 2nd Canadian Division until it deployed to France, accompanying the unit to England. Minister of Defence Sam Hughes insisted Steele be appointed commander of all Canadian troops in Europe, but two brigadier-generals objected, claiming the position for themselves. Removed from Canadian command in 1916, Steele remained in England as commanding officer of the South-East District.

Steele retired on July 15, 1918, having been knighted on January 1st of that year. He passed away from influenza on January 30, 1919, shortly after his 70th birthday, and was buried in Winnipeg.