Philip Primrose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philip Primrose
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| 5th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta | |
| In office October 1, 1936 – March 17, 1937 |
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| Monarch | Edward VIII George VI |
| Governor General | The Lord Tweedsmuir |
| Premier | William Aberhart |
| Preceded by | William L. Walsh |
| Succeeded by | John C. Bowen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Philip Carteret Hill Primrose
October 23, 1864 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Died | March 17, 1937 (aged 72) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Nationality | British Subject (Preceded Canadian Citizenship Act) |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse |
Lily Deane
(m. 1902) |
| Relations | 5th Earl of Rosebery; cousin Clarence Primrose; cousin |
| Children | Phyllis (1902–1975) Neil (1904–1904) Neil Philip (1905–1991) Sybil (c. 1909–1946) |
| Residences | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Alma mater | Royal Military College of Canada |
| Occupation | Police officer |
Philip Carteret Hill Primrose (October 23, 1864 – March 17, 1937) was an important Canadian police officer. He later became the fifth Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. This is a special role representing the King or Queen in the province.
Primrose was born in Nova Scotia in 1864. He studied at the Royal Military College of Canada. After graduating in 1885, he joined the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP). This police force later became the famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
He worked with the NWMP for 30 years. He served in many places across the North-West Territories. He became a Superintendent four times before retiring in 1915. After that, he moved to Edmonton. He became a police magistrate, which is like a judge for smaller cases. He held this job for 20 years.
During World War I, he also led a Canadian Army reserve group. In 1936, he was chosen to be the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. He held this important position for only 167 days before he passed away.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Philip Primrose was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1864. He was the second of three children. His parents were Alexander and Elizabeth Primrose. He was named after a friend of his father, Philip Carteret Hill.
His father, Alexander, came from Scotland. He was a lawyer and served on the Halifax City Council. Philip was also a distant cousin of the Earl of Rosebery. One of these Earls, Archibald Primrose, was even Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Becoming a Police Officer
Philip Primrose finished school at Pictou Academy in 1881. He then went to the Royal Military College of Canada. He graduated in 1885. He decided to stay in Canada after college.
On August 1, 1885, Primrose became an Inspector for the North-West Mounted Police. He officially started his duties on August 31.
Police Career Highlights
Serving with the NWMP
As an Inspector, Primrose worked in many different places. These included Wood Mountain and Fort Macleod. He also served in Calgary. While in Macleod, he was also a Justice of the Peace. This meant he could help solve small legal problems.
In 1898, the Klondike Gold Rush began. Primrose was sent to the Yukon to help keep order. He was stationed in Tagish. He became a Superintendent there in 1899. Later, he moved to Dawson. In Dawson, he was in charge of many Mounted Policemen.
The police in the Yukon mostly guarded people waiting for trials. They also watched over prisoners. Primrose helped with the 1900 Yukon census. He reported that the area had 16,463 people. He also made sure rules were followed. For example, he once fined 31 people for breaking local rules. He even helped with firefighting when needed.
Primrose became friends with a lawyer named William L. Walsh in the Yukon. Walsh would later become the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, just before Primrose. Primrose left the Yukon in 1902.
Leading Divisions and Retirement
After the Yukon, Primrose led the NWMP A Division in Maple Creek. Two months later, he took over the NWMP Macleod Department. He stayed there until 1913. He also became a police commissioner in the new province of Alberta in 1911.
In 1913, he moved to the NWMP Headquarters in Regina. He helped organize the Criminal Investigation Branch. He took a break for surgery in 1913. He retired from the NWMP as a Superintendent on April 5, 1915.
Becoming a Magistrate
After leaving the NWMP, Primrose became a police magistrate in Edmonton. He had always wanted to live in the city. In 1917, he helped set up the new Alberta Provincial Police force.
He worked as a magistrate until July 1935. It is thought that he handled over 40,000 cases during his time. During World War I, he was a leader for the Edmonton Reserve Battalion. He also worked hard to get good pensions for police veterans.
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Philip Primrose was a Liberal, but he never ran for public office. He also did not actively take part in politics. However, on September 10, 1936, he was chosen for a very important role.
He was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. This was done by Governor General John Buchan. Primrose took over from his old friend, William L. Walsh. He was sworn in on October 1, 1936.
During his time as Lieutenant Governor, Primrose lived in Government House. But he became very ill. He was in medical care for most of his time in office. His wife, Lily, often took on his duties. She hosted events and helped with community work. Other family members also helped out.
Because of his illness, the Speech from the Throne was read by a judge. This happened on February 25, 1937.
Personal Life and Family
On January 8, 1902, Philip Primrose married Lily Deane. Her father was also a Superintendent in the North-West Mounted Police. He had guarded Louis Riel during the 1885 rebellion.
The Primroses had four children: Phyllis, Neil (who passed away as a baby), Neil Philip, and Sybil. His son, Neil Philip, became a lawyer and later a judge.
One of Philip Primrose's grandchildren, John Nairn Primrose, became a famous sport shooter. He won championships at the Commonwealth Games and two world championships. He was also given the Order of Canada.
Primrose Lake was named after Philip Primrose in 1900. This was when he was an Inspector in the NWMP. In 1970, a part of Edmonton was named in his honor. This area is now mostly known as West Edmonton Mall. Philip Primrose was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Death and State Funeral
Philip C. H. Primrose passed away on March 17, 1937, in Edmonton. He was still the Lieutenant Governor. He had held the position for only 167 days. He was the first Lieutenant Governor of Alberta to die while in office. He had a heart attack and had been ill for a long time.
On March 19, 1937, his body was placed in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta building. This was a very special ceremony. His coffin was covered with the Union Flag. Four Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers guarded it. Philip Primrose had asked to be dressed in his NWMP Inspector uniform.
His state funeral was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Edmonton. This was the first state funeral in Alberta's history. Many important people attended, including Premier William Aberhart. Philip Primrose was buried in the RCMP plot at the Edmonton Cemetery. His funeral set a new standard for future state funerals in Alberta. John C. Bowen became the new Lieutenant Governor on March 23, 1937.
Legacy and Impact
Philip Primrose was known as a "colorful" and "forceful" person in Edmonton. His leadership in the NWMP was seen as a great example. People trusted and respected him throughout his police career.
Donald E. Cameron, who spoke at his funeral, said Primrose believed that doing one's duty well was its own reward. An obituary called him "courageous, outspoken and firm." John W. McDonald, the Mayor of Macleod, said Primrose was "one of the outstanding officers of the force." He was remembered as a good citizen and a good police officer.
On January 12, 1970, a new area in Edmonton, Alberta, was named Primrose. This was to honor him. Today, much of this area is known as West Edmonton Mall.
