O.171  ·  Commissioner Stuart Zachary Taylor Wood O.171  ·  Commissaire Stuart Zachary Taylor Wood

Stuart Zachary Taylor Wood was born in Napanee, Ontario on October 17th, 1889, and his family background was somewhat famous and equally interesting — his father, Assistant Commissioner Zachary Taylor Wood, served in the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) from 1885 to 1915, and his father was also the great grandson of Zackary Taylor, twelfth President of the United States.

Stuart Taylor (S. T.) Wood graduated from the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, ON., and soon afterwards he joined the Royal North West Mounted Police (RNWMP) with a Commission. It was November 1, 1912. S. T. Wood experienced a long and rewarding career in the Force, and he is often counted among the most progressive Commissioners of the RCMP. Over a career which spanned of four decades, several transfers took S. T. Wood to all parts of Canada including to the far north.

His police career began at ‘Depot’ Division in Regina, SK., and after one year, he was posted to Edmonton, AB. Two years later, he took command of the Manitoba Boundary Patrol working out of Emerson, MB.

In the meantime, Inspector Wood continued in the role of part time lecturer at ‘Depot’ Division, and it was here that his strong leadership style became obvious to more senior and influential RNWMP Officers. His leadership style was not born out of the traditional autocrat mould, instead he was a dedicated, committed hard worker, noticeably bold and very persuasive. He may well have gained these advantageous traits from his father. Nevertheless, he lifted the morale among the Troops with fresh, innovative and challenging ideas. At the time, one can imagine that S. T. Wood was perceived by the Officers as a breath of fresh air.

On May 1918, Inspector Wood volunteered for the RNWMP Cavalry Draft and WWI. He was sent overseas, and he served in France & Belgium as a young Lieutenant. He returned to Canada in March 1919 then he was moved to Herschel Island, YT as the Officer Commanding (OC) of the Arctic Sub Division. After five years, he returned to Regina and ‘Depot’ Division in 1924.

In 1926, he was posted to Prince Rupert, BC then in 1928 he took command of the Edmonton, AB., District. On October 1, 1931 he became the Commanding Officer (CO) at Vancouver, BC and he was promoted to Superintendent.

In 1933, he returned to Regina, SK., and he became the Commanding Officer (CO) ‘F’ Division (the Province of Saskatchewan) with the rank of Acting Assistant Commissioner. Six months later, he was promoted to full Assistant Commissioner.

In January 1934, S. T. Wood attended a three month long course at Scotland Yard. The course allowed him the opportunity to mix with other senior police officers in an international milieu, and to gain new insights and fresh ideas with a more broad perspective and a wider lens. He maintained these friendships the remainder of his life. Upon his return to Canada, it was not too surprising that he was appointed to a more influential and significant post — as Director of the RCMP’s Criminal Investigation Branch in Ottawa, ON. It was October 1, 1936.

The following year, Assistant Commissioner Wood led the Force’s Mounted Contingent overseas to mark the Coronation of His Majesty, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and on February 1, 1938 he was appointed as Acting Deputy Commissioner.

Within a month or so, Commissioner Sir James MacBrien passed away very unexpectedly in Ottawa, and S. T. Wood suddenly became the 8th Commissioner of the RCMP. It was an unexpected turn of events, but S. T. was ready. His broad, long range view of policing which was gained both on the national as well as on the international stage prepared him well for his new role and responsibilities. It was March 5, 1938.

Commissioner Wood was sure to build on the progressive work of Sir James MacBrien, and he is credited with a host of innovative changes within the RCMP; he opened several new policing detachments across Canada, he organized a permanent RCMP Band, he established the first RCMP Forensic Laboratory in Regina, SK., as well as a new Museum at ‘Depot’ Division. Commissioner Wood also established a horse breeding post at Fort Walsh, SK., he improved wireless telecommunications throughout the Force, and he instituted Community Policing Programs for young Canadians. He was also responsible for negotiating new provincial policing contracts for Newfoundland and British Columbia. His career spanned 38 years.

Commissioner Wood retired to pension on April 30th, 1951.

Commissioner and Mrs Wood had two daughters and three sons; Donald Zachary Taylor Wood was KIA in 1944, Constables John Taylor Wood and Theodore Herschel Taylor Wood also served in the Force. Their son Herschel Wood was killed while on police duty in the USA in 1950, and their son John retired from the RCMP as an Inspector in 1988.

Reporting from Fort Healy,

J. J. Healy
January 23, 2017

Commissioner Wood died in 1966. He was buried near his son
Constable Theodore Herschel Wood in the Cemetery at ‘Depot’ Division. R. I. P.

Source & Appreciation

Many of the specific details for this short piece were summarized from Commissioner Wood’s obituary which can be found in The Quarterly. Spring. 1966. V31(4).