It only took a moment of conversation with Leona Biggar to learn of her respect for the RCMP, her love of her family and her strength of character.
From the 1960s through the 1970s, as the wife of RCMP officer William Biggar, Leona worked tirelessly to fill the gaps in the small detachments her husband ran: listening to the radio, answering calls, even making meals for the prisoners.
And now she’s being recognized for her contributions, being honoured as a “Second Man” by the RCMP Veterans’ Association at a ceremony this month in Calgary.
“You do these things but you don’t expect any recognition for them,” Leona said humbly. “It was just the way of life in those days.”
The April 12 ceremony at Fort Calgary will be the first of its kind in Canada, recognizing the efforts of about 25 women in the Calgary area, said Bob Kells, president of the Calgary division of the RCMP Veterans’ Association. Other ceremonies will soon be popping up across the country, he added.
“These women would answer the door, make meals for the prisoners, wash the floors, deal with citizen complaints — they did a lot of work and were never recognized and never paid,” he said. “The force agreed it was long overdue.
“Their assistance was vital to the whole operation.”
Married now for 56 years, Leona and William began their live-in policing experiences in Manyberries, a hamlet outside of Medicine Hat. From there, they moved on to Beaverlodge and McLennan — all with live-in accommodations next to the detachment. They had three daughters: Brenda (Dennis), Kerrie (Meunier) and Cynthia (Biggar).
Leona remembered making up a few extra plates of dinner for the prisoners and spending many nights listening intently to the police radio that was a permanent fixture on the kitchen cupboard.
“Someone had to answer calls if they came in and the men were all out on the roads,” she said matter-of-factly. “I’d have to try to get ahold of one of them, or call in help from another detachment.”
“She was the boss,” said her husband with a grin.
“When we reflect and look at the slides from that time, you realize how unique (my mom’s job) was,” said Dennis. “My mom, she’s just such a strong person. She had to be.”
The family moved to Cochrane in 1971, with William named the staff sergeant of the local detachment. Two years later, the couple and their children moved out of the live-in position, into their own home.
“I could finally retire,” said Leona with a laugh.
William retired from the RCMP in Cochrane in 1976. He and Leona, now 80 and 78 years old respectively, still live in the area, as do a cross section of their family. They call their four grandchildren the light in their lives.
This isn’t the first honour the RCMP has bestowed upon the Biggar family. William received the Commissioner’s Commendation for Bravery for his involvement in an ambush near Grande Prairie. At the time, he was stationed in Beaverlodge.
