Tim Popp poses in his library, including years of his research about Canada's military history. (submitted photo/ Tim Popp)

By Kenneth Cheung

KING'S MEDAL

Battlefords military history enthusiast honoured with King Charles III coronation medal

Sep 19, 2024 | 4:34 PM

A Battleford resident is among the first in the province to receive a King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of the work he has done to honour military history.

Tim Popp, a retired RCMP officer originally from Yukon, received the award from Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty at a ceremony in Saskatoon earlier this month.

Popp has volunteered with the Royal Canadian Legion since 1982, and currently serves as vice-president of the Battleford Branch #9. His interest in documenting military history began as a teenager when he was an army cadet.

“We knew that these three soldiers from the Yukon Field Force had died there. So, they had wooden crosses marked on the graves, and they were starting to decay and rot, so they sent a workforce party comprised of cadets and military to go and put new heads, granite headstones, and military granite headstones on the graves of these three soldiers,” said Popp. “So, that’s how I became interested.”

One of his proudest accomplishments since then is joining the Last Post Fund which provides funeral, burial, and grave marking benefits for eligible Canadian and allied veterans. It’s mission is to ensure that all veterans receive a dignified funeral and burial, as well as a military gravestone. Since 1996 the Last Post Fund has identified and marked more than 4,500 veteran’s graves. Popp explained he researches cemetery, church records and newspaper accounts to help track down the name of unmarked graves.

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“Let’s say John Smith (hypothetical) of Battleford died on this day. He was buried in the Presbyterian section of Battleford Cemetery so that I will go to the kiosk building. There is usually a book, so I find his name and the spot. You also see who’s beside him, and if there is an empty spot between or beside those people, then it should be the person I’m looking for,” he explained.

It’s a challenging process since records aren’t always well-organized or have been destroyed over the years.

Popp’s involvement with the Legion has also included a memorial service for the Queen after she died in 2022, and a local celebration of King Charles III’s coronation in 2023. He also helped organize the commencement of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Battlefords.

Popp’s passion for military history led him to author a book – The Yukon Field Force Nominal Rolls and Photographs. The government of Canada ordered the formation of the force to augment the police presence in the late 1890s when gold was discovered in the Klondike.

The Yukon Field Force Nominal Rolls and Photographs ,written by Tim Popp. Popp recalled gathering all his research for the book in 1997 when he bought his first computer and decided to start archiving all the pieces.(submitted photo/ Tim Popp)

He recalled gathering all his research for the book in 1997 when he bought his first computer and decided to start archiving all the pieces he had collected over the years about the Yukon Field Force.

“Over the years, I was on and off again gathering information. I had an a four-file drawer and kept stuffing pieces of paper in there,” Popp said. “And then I was getting more information. Finally, one day, I said I should write a book, and I’ve been encouraged by other people saying maybe you should write a book.”

He hopes the book will help more people learn about some of the lesser-known stories of Canadian military history. Since completing his book last year, Popp has sold nearly 100 copies.

Darcy Woolfit, another retired RCMP officer from Battleford, also received a King Charles III Coronation Medal. The honour was distributed to 30,000 Canadians.

Tim Popp (L), Jeremy Cockrill(M) and Darcy Woolfitt (L) on Sept. 10 at TCU Place in Saskatoon. Tim Popp and Darcy Woolfitt were among the province’s first recipients from the Battlefords. ( Photo /Jeremy Cockrill’s instagram @jeremy4thebattlefords)

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com