Unable to obtain British Troops to furnish contingents of sufficient magnitude for the Crimean Campaign in the East, parliament voted voted the formation of regiments of foreigners to meet the pressure.  Depots for their enrollment were fixed at different places, but the principal station was at Heligoland, as small rocky island in the North Sea.  As however the embodiment could not take place without the means of sheltering the force, the island itself having only accommodation for the native population, Lieutenant A.R. Lempriere of the Engineers, with three sapper carpenters, were sent there in March of 1854, in the steamer "Hamburg".  Towards the end of the month the party landed, and with the assistance of some broad-backed women --the men being too indolent to work-- the huts brought out were carried up the stairs --a stupendous flight exceeding 200 steps formed in the face of the steep cliff-- to the position where the cantonment was to be established.  Hopeless to complete them within the time required, twelve other sappers, mostly carpenters, under Serjeant Goodyear, sailed from Woolwich on the 28th July.  In a few days they were deep in the work.  Rows of huts covered with Croggan's asphalted felt, built in streets, were always ready by the time the troops arrived to occupy them.  It took one hundred and four of these portable houses to accommodate the legion.  Tanks were also built to supply water in case of fire, and an apparatus was erected for distilling sea-water so that it might be used for the domestic purposes of the troops.  When all these services were completed, the sappers no longer needed at Heligoland were shipped for England, landing at Folkstone on the 29th December.  Lieutenant Lempriere remained, as did also Serjeant Goodear, to oversee the native workmen in the formation of roads and in executing repairs to the huts.  At the conclusion of the war they returned home.

The efficiency and usefulness of the party were warmly acknowledged by Colonel Steinbach, commanding the legion.

--The History of the Royal Engineers, 1857.
Pages 150-151

LEMPRIERE, A.R. (Lieutenant)           1858  PA-51
LEMPRIERE, A.R. (Lieutenant)           1858  PA-54

--From Lempriere's Journal

--From Lempriere's Journal

Sketch of the Fort Hope to Boston Bar Trail, the map that accompanied Captain Lempriere's report of 24th May 1859
Drawn by C. Sinnett

Click here to see a 600X800 pixel version the above map

[and in a climbers notebook]
Cariboo Traverse
... From here climb to the south to a high pass (GR 290056). Remaining high, traverse to the southeast, then descend to a small lake at the head of Lempriere Creek (GR 321016).

[placenames lists:]
30-Dec-96 Serpentine Creek
Flows W into North Thompson River, S of Lempriere
[More Lempriere Creek and Lempriere Station:]
30-Dec-96 Lempriere Creek
Flows N into North Thompson River, W of junction with Albreda River

The Canadian Northern Pacific Railway laid tracks through the area in 1915 and Lempriere first appears on a map of 1917.  The Lempriere post office was open from 1942 to 1945.  Less than ten cancellation marks are known in collections.  There was a Japanese internment camp here during the Second World War.
[Akrigg 1986] [Topping 1983] [Woodward 1974]

30-Dec-96 Lempriere Station
Feature type:	Railway Point
Province:	British Columbia
Location:	CNR, S of junction of Albreda & NorthThompson Rivers
Latitude:	52°27'00" N
Longitude:	119°08'00" W
NTS map:	83D/6
Information courtesy of Place Names in the Canadian Rockies
As for the photograph:
Do you know who holds this photograph?
Let us know so we can give credit where credit is due.

 Thank you.

--From Lempriere's Journal

-- From Lempriere's Journal

"... As the number of Marines is so few, and as it is not improbable field entrenchments may have to be formed, I have taken on myself to add to the above force (of Royal Marines) Lieutenant Lempriere, R. E., and fourteen non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Engineers."

-- Colonel Moody

Detachment of Royal Engineers sent to San Juan Island, 1st August 1859:

Lieutenant Lempriere, RE
Serjeant J. Lindsay, RA
Serjeant L. Bonson
Corporal  W. Hall
2nd Corporal A. Monroe
2nd Corporal W. Harvey
Sapper Barnes
Sapper G. Bowen
Sapper Byers
Sapper W. Edwards (2nd)
Sapper Gilchrist
Sapper Kennedy
Sapper Maynard
Sapper Musselwhite
Sapper Soar

1st Monday August 1859  – left New Westminster in Charge of a Detachment of 14 of our men in HMS plumper at 5 am: Unfortunately we ran aground at the mouth of the Fraser river which prevented us getting to San Juan till the following day, when we were transferred to HMS Tribune Captain Hornby with the marines under Major Magin.  The orders for retaking the island we found had been rescinded, and a joint occupation was talked of until the matter might be referred some.  I went ashore with Colonel Moody and Captain Hornby and called upon Captain Pickett who was in command of the U.S. Troops there: He was a very civil but a thorough Yankee – Colonel Hawkins RE was dispatched to England to get instructions from the Home Government relative to the occupation of San Juan by the Americans, the territorial Rights of the Island being in dispute – I remained on board HMS Tribune till the 19th during which time the Americans increased their forces to about 500 men having eight 32-pounders in place on the hill commanding the landing place and 6 field pieces in front of their camp: We were on very good terms with the American officers and visited each other frequently.  On one occasion the 18th I met Colonel Casey, Captain Pickett and Lt Conner of the US Army at dinner at Captain Hornby’s RN.  Griffin who was in charge of the HBC farm was very civil and lent me a horse to ride whenever I wanted one: The land of San Juan is very pretty with plenty of open prairie land –

Sir,

I shall feel obliged by Your Excellency informing me whether it is your intention that the Force now before San Juan shall land.

If such operation is to be deferred, I submit it is desirable that the Detachment of Royal Engineers under Lt. Lempriere return to their duty at New Westminster as early as possible.

I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,

RCMoody,
Col. Comm.

 19th Friday August 1859 – Left San Juan in HMS Tribune for Victoria; when in the Gulf the Plumper signaled for myself and Detachment to be transferred to her, so I got out of my trip to Victoria.  We were unable to take our baggage, and as soon as we were on board the Plumper she started off to Nanaimo to coal: We got there that evening and left again the following morning for Burrard’s Inlet where we found that Burnaby and his party had been hindered by Indians: However we found them all safe and so continued our course till we got about 10 miles up the inlet when we anchored for the night.

21st Sunday August 1859  – Landed with the men marched from the inlet to our camp at New Westminster a distance of 6 miles though uncommonly rough.

-- From Lempriere's Journal

Lt.Lempriere report on Road from Yale to Little Canyon, 16 Sep 1859

- From GR-1180
BRITISH COLUMBIA.  DEPT. OF LANDS AND WORKS.
Originals, 1859, 6 cm
 

From BC Archives, Textual Records
Call Number GR-1180

FESTIVITIES AT NEW WESTMINSTER

We have had a gay time during Christmas here.  Our Lt. Gov. Col. Moody, gave a dinner on Friday last, to which a large party were invited.  On Saturday, many private parties were given in camp, and the Men employed in cutting various trails came into the city; these, joined the Men employed on the wharves, formed themselves into a band, each armed with a candle, and gave a serenade at nearly every home.  A Christmas Carol in a noisy way.  All the inhabitants received them well, with scarcely any exception, and were only too glad to see the bones and sinew of the country enjoying themselves, and received the honor that was done them in the best of spirit, paying all largesse required.  Christmas Day being Sunday, was of course devoted to its proper use, without festivities.  On Monday, the Non-commissioned officers gave a Ball at the theatre, that they have erected by private subscription amongst themselves, which went off very well, to which most of the inhabitants received an invitation, and on Tuesday the festivities were ended by the Officers giving a grand dinner at their Mess-room, to which several ladies received invitations, and every thing passed off pleasantly.

--7th January, 1860
The Weekly British Colonist

Sir,

Having submitted to the General Commanding in Chief your letter of 14 Inst. transmitting a copy of a letter from the Colonial Office with enclosure (copy) from Governor of British Columbia, in which it is proposed that 2nd Captain Lempriere RE, who is at present serving in that colony under Col. Moody RE, should be recalled (having been promoted to the rank of 2nd Captain) and stating that it will not be necessary to send out another subaltern to replace him, I am directed to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for War, that His Royal Highness sees no objection to this proposal.

I have, etc.,
C. Yorke

Sir,
I have the honor to forward for your information a copy of a Report on, and Tracing of, the Fort Hope and Boston Bar Trail furnished to me by Captain Lempriere RE, under whose superintendence the above named Service was carried out during the last year.

I have the honor to be, etc.,
RCMoody

-- from Lempriere's Journal

Captain Lempriere is required to report, in writing, what progress has been made in taking the remainder of Stores, ordered by me many months ago - when it was completed it should have been officially reported and laid before me.

Signed,
RC Moody
Col. Com.

-- From Lempriere's Journal

-- From Lempriere's Journal

Sir,

I have the honour to inform you of my having received orders by the last mail for Captain Lempriere, Royal Engineers, to return to England, the concurrance of Your Excellency having been first obtained to this measure.

Captain Lempriere is naturally anxious to be informed of the decision of the Home Government respecting his application for the difference of Colonial Pay between the rates of 350 Pounds and 250 Pounds per annum to be paid to him from the date of his promotion to the rank of Captain, viz. 20th June 1859.

I request Your Excellency's authority to my paying him that difference before he leaves the Colony on the understanding that, should it be disallowed at the Colonial Office in England, he will refund a like amount to the Colonial funds through the Agents, Messeurs Cox and Co.

The valuable services he has rendered to this Colony fully entitle him, as Your Excellency will admit, to this increase.

Awaiting Your Excellency's commands.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
RC Moody
Co. Commanding

Sir,

Referring to my letter W. 272 of the 11th Inst., informing you of Captain Lempriere's recall to England, I have the honor to request your sanction to the Treasurer's advancing me the sum of one hundred Pounds to defray the Expenses of his Passage.

This sum, not being chargeable to the Colony, will be accounted for by Captain Lempriere on his arrival in England to the War Office Authorities, and the matter can then be arranged between then and there at the Colonial Office.

I have the honor to be,
sir,
Your most obedient ,
humble servant.

RC Moody
Col. Commanding.

My dear Pringle,

You said you would kindly look after my land at Hope and Yale and as I am going off to England in about a fortnight, I should be very much obliged if you would undertake to do so.  I wrote to Serjeant McColl to lay out your 5 acres anyplace along the Boundary Line that you might like - and I have no objection to your giving away another 5 acres a little distance from yours to any good man on conditions that he cultivate it.  I don't wish any of the land sold.

Let me learn if I can be of any service to you in England.  My address there will be

Ewell
Epsom

I suppose Mrs. Pringle will have started before I get there.  I send these few hurried lines
Believe me,
Very very sincerely,

A.R. Lempriere

Is there any chance of your coming down river?  I will give you a good shake down.

My dear Pringle,

I think the best thing to do with regard to my land in Hope, would be to cut a trail about 6 feet wide along the Boundary Line just to the Fraser River and the Coquohalla and when the country goes ahead to let the land in 5 acre lots.  In such periods as you may think advisable.

I should be glad if you would [?] the title deeds to your 5 acres, paying for the same out of 30 Pounds which I send you, 5 pounds of which I wish to go towards the Bridge or exploration of routes and the balance to the cutting of the trail along the Boundary Line.

Should you know of any good man I think it would not be a bad place to give away and the 5 acres on conditions of occupation and cultivation with a [?], giving him his title deeds when he has built a hut not less than 20' x 20' and 2 1/2 acres under cultivation.

I also promised another 5 acres for the Church which I should be glad if you would select.

With regard to the Suburban lot at Yale, Lot 1 Block 1, I should feel obliged if you would do whatever you think best, I don't think it is likely to be of much value for the next 5 or 6 years.

I shall leave the Title Deeds and Power of Attorney ( for you to act for me) in your hands.

Whenever you write to me with the address

Captain A.R. Lempriere, RE
Ewell
Epsom
England

it will be forwarded to me.

Thanking you very much for all your kindness,
Believe me,
Yours very sincerely,

A.R. Lempriere.

Sir,

I have the honor to inform you that Captain Lempriere RE proceeds this day to Victoria "en route" to England, not having received any definite answer from His Excellency the Governor to my letter W. 276 of the 13th Last respecting an Advance of the sum of one hundred Pounds for the pay amount of his Passage, I am reluctant to make such an Advance myself without special due authority.  I have therefore to request that you will in the absence of His Excellency, facilitate Captain Lempriere's movements as far as is in your power.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,

RC Moody
Col. Commanding

To Acting Colonial Secretary WDGosset

-- From Lempriere's Journal

Assessment of taxes - 1885-1886, Major-General Arthur Lemprière

- From GR-0256
BRITISH COLUMBIA.  GOVERNMENT AGENT.  YALE AND LYTTON [FRASER
RIVER].
Originals, 1858-1889, 6.5 cm

From BC Archives Textual Records
Call Number GR-0256

My connection to AR, as he is sometimes referred to, is a fairly distant cousin.  We both descend from the Lempriere family in Jersey in the Channel Isles.  The family split into 3 branches in the 1600's, commonly called the Rozel, the Trinity, and the St John's branches, after the parishes where the ancestors settled.  I am from the 15th generation after the split, in the Trinity branch, and AR was about 10th from the Rozel.  [The] complete family tree is in The Jersey Armorial, which is hard to find.

AR married three times:

I have no dates on these things.

--Brian Lempriere
retired aerospace engineer
February 01, 2005

[Thank you, Brian.]