Victor Rivers
Victor Brereton Rivers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, searchLieutenant Colonel Victor Brereton Rivers was the first Intelligence Staff Officer of the Canadian militia on 6 February 1901. His staff work led shortly after, on 1 April 1903, to the formation of the Corps of Guides (Canada), now Canadian Forces Intelligence Branch.
Early life
He was born in 1860 and lived in Brockville, Ontario. He was educated as part of the first class at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, student #10, one of the “Old Eighteen.” He entered the College on 1 June 1876. Since cadets received their numbers based on their standings in the entrance examinations, he was 10 of 18. As a Sergeant, having completed his full period of instruction at the College, he was granted a 2nd Class Certificate of Graduation dated 30th June, 1880. The Dominion annual register and review’ recorded that the aggregate number of marks he obtained was 24274 (honours).
Career
He became a career soldier with the Royal Canadian Army. As a Lieutenant in 'A' Battery Quebec, he was a veteran of the battle of Fish Creek (April 24, 1885) and the Battle of Batoche (May 5-12, 1885). At the Battle of Fish Creek Saskatchewan, the Dominion forces under General Middleton attempting to quell Louis Riel's North-West Rebellion retreated. At the Battle of Batoche, Saskatchewan the Dominion forces defeated the Métis attempt to maintain Aboriginal independence in the disputed "Canadian" North West Territories.
He was elected president of the Royal Military College Club in 1891.
During the Boer War in South Africa (1899-1902), Canadian mounted troops gathered information of intelligence value with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse and British scout units. Canadian intelligence efforts in South Africa led to his appointment on 6 February 1901 as the first Intelligence Staff Officer of the Canadian Militia. He reported to the first Director General of Military Intelligence (DGMI) Brevet-Major William A.C. Denny, Royal Army Service Corps. His staff work led shortly after, on 1 April 1903, to the formation of the Corps of Guides (Canada), “The Guides should be intelligent men and capable of active work with a knowledge of the topographical features of the country as well as the roads, the country between the roads, sidepaths, names of farmers, etc. in the area, and when possible, should be in possession of a horse.” This organization was the forerunner of the Canadian Forces Intelligence Branch. He served as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Militia headquarters staff, Ottawa.
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