William Dillon Otter is often regarded as Canada's first true professional soldier. He was born in 1843 near Goderich, Ontario. While working as a clerk in the 1860s Otter joined the militia with the Queen's Own Rifles and fell in love with the military way of life.

During 1866, the Fenians were attempting to obtain parts of the Northwest Territories. A number of skirmishes ensued and Otter participated in the Battle of Ridgeway. His past performed secured him an appointment in the tiny permanent army and he became Commander of the Infantry School at Toronto. With the outbreak of the 1885 Northwest Resistance, Otter was despatched to the Northwest Territories to assist General Frederick Middleton in the advance on the Metis stronghold of Batoche. When Middleton became aware that the Cree were attacking Frog Lake, Otter was placed in charge of the column sent to liberate Battleford and the surrounding area from the threat of Indian attack.

Otter decided, on his own initiative, to seek out and engage the Cree and Stoney Indians who had been threatening Battleford under Chief Poundmaker. Otter met the Indian forces at Cut Knife Hill on May 2nd. The Indian forces repelled Otter's men. Only the intervention of Poundmaker prevented the Indian forces from inflicting greater damage on Otter's retreating column. Middleton then sent Otter after the elusive Big Bear and his nation, but he and his men were not to succeed.

Otter's military reputation was not harmed by his loss at Cut Knife Hill. He would serve in the South African War and become the first Canadian-born Chief of the General Staff. During World War I he was placed in charge of Canadian internment camps. He was knighted in 1913 and made a general in 1923.