David Archibald
Section 21, Lot 57
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto
Born in Ireland in 1842, Archibald was 19-years-old when he “signed on” wit the Royal Irish Constabulary. In 1863, he resigned and immigrated to Toronto where he joined the Toronto Police Department in 1865. After 21 years on the job, Archibald was appointed staff inspector heading up the newly created Morals Division where he received the unofficial title of “first guardian of the city’s moral welfare.” His department was charged with the responsibility of “suppressing immorality in the city, to prevent the holding of prize cock and dog fights and a hundred and one other infractions of the law.” In 1907, the six-foot-three policeman, dubbed “the moral man” was promoted to the rank of chief inspector and six years later to deputy chief.
Archibald retired in 1918 at the age of 76 after 52 years of service. Early in 1938 he was stricken with pneumonia and died from resulting complications on January 15, 1938.
Mike Filey
Mount Pleasant Cemetery: An Illustrated Guide
Second Edition Revised and Expanded