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Game Warden Albert E. Farey, 1882-1932

Provincial Game Commissioner, A. Bryan Williams, described Game Warden Albert Farey as “a popular officer with a splendid war and peacetime record”.

On October 3 rd, 1932, the Game Department suffered its second tragic loss in as many years when Game Warden Albert E. Farey, of Lillooet, BC, was shot and killed while inspecting an illegally possessed deer hide.

Albert or “Bert” Farey was born in England in 1882. Farey immigrated to Canada in 1900, at the age of eighteen, and would eventually settle in the Lillooet area in 1920. His diverse experience as a big game guide, trapper, forestry patrol officer, Dominion Police Officer, and twelve years as a BC Provincial Police constable were a perfect fit for life as a Game Warden. Farey was also a decorated WW I veteran who had been wounded in action.

Provincial Game Commissioner, A. Bryan Williams, described Game Warden Albert Farey as "a popular officer with a splendid war and peacetime record".

As with Dennis Greenwood and William Floyd, the tragic encounter between Warden Farey and his killer, Frank Gott, had not been their first. In 1929, Farey had charged Gott for the illegal possession of a deer carcass, for which he was later fined a total of $25.00 (approximately $290.00 by today’s standards). As a result of this conviction, Gott would bear a grudge against Farey for the next three years, a growing enmity that would culminate in the Warden’s ruthless murder.

On October 3 rd, 1932, Frank Gott had set up a hunting camp along the north fork of the Bridge River. With him were J. Thomas Dalton and 14-year-old Raymond Millar. Shortly after setting their camp, Warden Farey made contact with the three men. After a brief conversation with Gott, he decided to search the camp and its surrounding area. As a result of these efforts, Farey uncovered a bag containing a deer hide. However, the hide did not have the proper species tags affixed, which made its possession illegal. At some point during his questioning of Gott, as Warden Farey turned away to inspect the deer hide more closely, Gott fired two shots into his back, killing Farey instantly. According to Raymond Millar's testimony, "I saw Frank bring the rifle up about halfway and fire. Mr. Farey fell at the first shot".

After shooting the Warden, Gott handed the rifle over to one of his companions and walked calmly into the bush.

Following a two-day manhunt, Divisional Game Supervisor R.M. Robertson and Game Warden W.O. Quesnel confronted Gott at a crossing on the Bridge River. Gott refused to surrender and, ignoring several warning shots, was shot and wounded in the leg as he tried to escape. In a sad twist to an already tragic affair, Gott never stood trial for the killing as he died en route to the hospital from a combination of shock and advanced tuberculosis.

Warden Farey's murder was overshadowed by criticism of the police manhunt, as many in the community viewed Gott’s death as unnecessary. Gott, seventy-six years old at the time, and a life-long resident of the Lillooet area, was legendary for his skill as a woodsman and big game guide. A decorated WW I veteran, he had dyed his grey hair and enlisted in the army at the age of sixty, serving with distinction as a sniper. Proud of his military service and wartime achievements, Gott was known to have worn his army cap long after the war had ended. However, many critics chose to ignore that he had shot a dedicated Game Warden, in cold-blood, with no chance to defend himself.

While the local newspapers were keen to chronicle Gott's guiding expertise, outdoor skills and wartime achievements, scant attention was paid to the life of the murdered game warden. Game Warden “Bert” Farey was buried in the Lillooet cemetery. His funeral never even made the newspapers of the day.