William Otter

Colonel William Otter.

William Dillon Otter was a rarity in the Canadian army - an officer born in Canada. Most officers came to Canada from Britain. Otter was born in Clinton, Ontario in 1843. He fought during the Fenian uprising then joined the permanent force in 1883. He was to be involved with the strike on Batoche, but Inspector Morris' requests for assistance found him deployed with his column to Battleford. Having secured the Fort and reassured the townspeople, Otter turned his sights on the Cree nearby. For whatever reason - eagerness to do battle or an expectation that the Indigenous people would run when they saw the men in uniform - Otter took 325 men including 75 NWMP to Cut Knife Hill.

The army was poorly placed and the battled carried on from dawn until nightfall. A hasty retreat was all that saved the men. Colonel Middleton was not impressed, and kept Otter at Battleford for the rest of the Rebellion.

Otter went on to take command of the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry in 1893 and in 1899 led the first Canadian contingent in the South African War. He held several other prestigious positions before retiring in 1912. Otter received a knighthood in 1913. In 1922 he became the second Canadian to reach the rank of general. Otter died in 1929 in Toronto.