A mixture of good timing and coincidence has brought a fallen officer’s watch to the Vancouver Police Department, and ultimately the Vancouver Police Museum.

Constable Don Tymchyshyn was off-duty and having a drink at a local pub when he overheard a conversation about an antique watch that once belonged to Vancouver Police Constable Robert McBeath, who was killed in the line of duty in 1922.

The constable approached the man who was speaking. Soren Lyth told him that his father had been a watchmaker and the watch had been in their family for 30 years. The family was not sure where the watch came from and when they tried to do some research, they didn’t find anything.

Soren decided to generously donate the watch to the Vancouver Police Museum, who have temporarily loaned it to the VPD.

Robert McBeath, who was originally from Scotland, was also a distinguished war hero, going to war at age 16. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

McBeath was only 23 years old when he died. He and his partner pulled over a car being driven erractically. The driver got out and fatally shot McBeath.

2013.11.29. mcbeath-watch

The watch is engraved with the following:

PRESENTED
WITH WAR STOCK CERTIFICATE
BY
THE PEOPLE OF SUTHERLAND
TO
LCE CORP. R. MCBEATH
5TH SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS
IN RECOGNITION OF
THE GALLANTRY AND HEROISM
WHICH WON HIM
THE COVETED VC
JANUARY 1918

The watch will soon be displayed in the lobby of Vancouver Police Headquarters at 2120 Cambie Street. It will eventually move to its permanent home at the Vancouver Police Museum.