Reginald Mortimer Courtney CStJ VD (1871 - 1954)

Born 12 Aug 1871 in Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, Canada

Ancestors

Died 1 Jan 1954 at age 82 in Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, Canada

Biography

Reginald Mortimer Courtney was the son of John Mortimer Courtney, CMG, ISO and Mary Elizabeth Sophia Taylor^[1] In Nov 1913, he married Ethel Mary Atkinson, daughter of Henry Atkinson of Etchemin, Quebec.^[1] They had two children Leonard Atkinson Courtney and Louise Ethel Courtney.

He was educated at Ottawa Collegiate Institute (now known as Lisgar Collegiate Institute),^[2] followed by a degree from Royal Military College of Canada (Sep 1887 - Jun 1891).^[3] His RMC education resulted in civil engineer profession, including with the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1891-1893, part of which was supervising the construction of the Chateau Frontenac.^[1] Afterwards, he joined the Alaska Boundary Survey in 1893.^[1] Then he worked for the Union and Paper Card Co, and then insurance for a time.^[1]

He also had a military career. He was Lieutenant, 1st Regiment Prince of Wales Fusiliers and Captain in 1897.^[4] He served in the Boer War, initially as Lieutenant with Strathcona Horse in 1900, later promoted Captain and earned the South Africa Medal with three clasps (Belfast, Orange Free State, Natal).^[5] He joined the 5th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards and commissioned Major in 1903, Lieutenant-Colonel commanding, 1910-1913,^[1] after which he went on reserve. He was selected as one of the officers to serve at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in England in 1907.^[1] He was an officer with the Canadian Contingent for the King Edward VII's Coronation.^[1] In 1928, he succeeded Lieutenant Colonel L. P. Sherwood, VD, as Brigade Commander of the Second Mounted Brigade.^[6]

In 1934, he was invested as Officer of The Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem,^[7] and as Commander (Brother) in 1953.^[8]

He was a member of the Rideau Club, Ottawa Canoe Club. Royal Ottawa Golf Club, Ottawa South African Veterans' Association and Dominion Cavalry Association.^[1]

He died in 1954 and was buried in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario.^[9]

1881 St-George Ward, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.^[10]

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace

John M. Courtney Head Male 42 England

Mary E.S. Courtney Wife Female 36 Quebec

Reg Mortimer Courtney Son Male 9 Ontario

1911 St-George Ward, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.^[11]

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace

John M Courtney Chef Male 73 England

Maria E S Courtney Wife Female 66 Quebec

Reginald M Courtney Son Male 40 Ontario

Mary F Kingston Niece Female 46 Quebec

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8} "Who's who in Canada: An Illustrated Biographical Record of Men and Women of the Time, Volumes 6-7". International Press Limited. 1914.
2. ↑ Lisgar Alumni Association, 1904. "A History of the Ottawa Collegiate Institute, 1843-1903". Ottawa Collegiate Institute Ex-pupils' Association. Ottawa. 256 pages.
3. ↑ Würtele, Ernest Frederick. (1892). "Royal Military College Club of Canada reference book". Royal Military College Club.
4. ↑ The Canada Gazette. Canada. 1897.
5. ↑ South African War, 1899-1902 - Service Files, Medals and Land Applications. Library and Archives Canada.
6. ↑ "Col. R. M. Courtney .Assumes Command Of Second Mounted". 19 Dec 1928. The Ottawa Journal. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. p 14
7. ↑ London Gazette. No 34064. 26 Jun 1934.
8. ↑ London Gazette. No 39743. 2 Jan 1953.
9. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/174358835
10. ↑ 1881 Census Canada. Library and Archives Canada.
11. ↑ 1911 Census Canada. Library and Archives Canada.