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Hi,
Four points.
CANADA
DND says the Canadian Forces began in 1855 so the comments about Canada not existing until after 1867 are unimportant to the discussion because Canadian Forces already trace its lineage before Confederation. University courses of pre and post-Confederation Canada underline that point.
As for the War of 1812, when the Americans invaded in Windsor to start the war, they issued a Proclamation that was addressed to "The Inhabitants of Canada" and went on to refer to the "Territory of Canada". So the Americans knew what country they were invading in 1812. I hope everyone now knows Canadians in 1812 were defending....well.....Canada.
UNIT LISTS
If DND allows perpetuation and the awarding of Battle Honours for the War of 1812, then each unit would have to make its case. For example the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment occupies the same region were the Michigan Fencibles and others that were embodied and then participated in the capture of that part of the United States. IF the regiment feels entitled to link with those 1812 units then they would have to make their case. The benefit is by doing so, they incorporate and take ownership of the Canada's War of 1812 military tradition of success on Lake Superior and the junction of the lakes. But that is up to the Regiment.
Canada is unique militarily because our armies often mobilize and disband based on a threat. Look at the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. They started in the 1795 and disband in 1802. In 1803 they restarted and existed until 1816 and were disbanded again. Royal Newfoundland Regiment of the 20th Century feel in their hearts and souls they began in 1795 but according to DND they did not exist until the 20th century. So they claim it unofficially. When a unit is driven to have to unofficially claim their lineage before 1855, there is something broken in the system. Hundreds of brave Newfoundlanders were killed, wounded or rotted in truly awful prison camps in the U.S. because they were defending Ontario from invasion. The RNR is listed for "Detroit" on the background document of Honour our 1812 Heroes, a battle honour they did not receive. Why didn't they get it? Because they were disbanded before it was issued. Do they deserve it? IMO Absolutely.
However the lists are a distraction. The fundamental question is should the Canadian Forces honour Canadian soldiers that fought in 1812 by perpetuation and battle honours. My answer is YES.
OTHER NATIONAL TRADITIONS
France's military recognizes the services and honours all its previous units, even the ones that fought under the royal banner. They understand that the building blocks of national military tradition go beyond political dates of unification/revolution. In 1990 East and West Germany became one. Will the Germans officially recognize their military traditions only back to 1990? See how ridiculious it sounds. The date of 1855 is even more comical.
EDITORIAL
I just wrote an Editorial on the subject that lays it all out and I encourage you to read it.
It is at: http://www.warof1812.ca
This piece gets to the core of this issue along with poking fun at the 1855 date. Considering the emails I am getting from across the country, if anyone thinks this is only an internal DND matter, think again. Average Canadians are getting involved. Other government departments are getting involved. Museums, universities, and historians are getting involved. These "fools" think Canada actually had Armed Forces fighting foreign invaders in 1812. Go figure.
I hope this helps the discussion.
Robert
Four points.
CANADA
DND says the Canadian Forces began in 1855 so the comments about Canada not existing until after 1867 are unimportant to the discussion because Canadian Forces already trace its lineage before Confederation. University courses of pre and post-Confederation Canada underline that point.
As for the War of 1812, when the Americans invaded in Windsor to start the war, they issued a Proclamation that was addressed to "The Inhabitants of Canada" and went on to refer to the "Territory of Canada". So the Americans knew what country they were invading in 1812. I hope everyone now knows Canadians in 1812 were defending....well.....Canada.
UNIT LISTS
If DND allows perpetuation and the awarding of Battle Honours for the War of 1812, then each unit would have to make its case. For example the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment occupies the same region were the Michigan Fencibles and others that were embodied and then participated in the capture of that part of the United States. IF the regiment feels entitled to link with those 1812 units then they would have to make their case. The benefit is by doing so, they incorporate and take ownership of the Canada's War of 1812 military tradition of success on Lake Superior and the junction of the lakes. But that is up to the Regiment.
Canada is unique militarily because our armies often mobilize and disband based on a threat. Look at the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. They started in the 1795 and disband in 1802. In 1803 they restarted and existed until 1816 and were disbanded again. Royal Newfoundland Regiment of the 20th Century feel in their hearts and souls they began in 1795 but according to DND they did not exist until the 20th century. So they claim it unofficially. When a unit is driven to have to unofficially claim their lineage before 1855, there is something broken in the system. Hundreds of brave Newfoundlanders were killed, wounded or rotted in truly awful prison camps in the U.S. because they were defending Ontario from invasion. The RNR is listed for "Detroit" on the background document of Honour our 1812 Heroes, a battle honour they did not receive. Why didn't they get it? Because they were disbanded before it was issued. Do they deserve it? IMO Absolutely.
However the lists are a distraction. The fundamental question is should the Canadian Forces honour Canadian soldiers that fought in 1812 by perpetuation and battle honours. My answer is YES.
OTHER NATIONAL TRADITIONS
France's military recognizes the services and honours all its previous units, even the ones that fought under the royal banner. They understand that the building blocks of national military tradition go beyond political dates of unification/revolution. In 1990 East and West Germany became one. Will the Germans officially recognize their military traditions only back to 1990? See how ridiculious it sounds. The date of 1855 is even more comical.
EDITORIAL
I just wrote an Editorial on the subject that lays it all out and I encourage you to read it.
It is at: http://www.warof1812.ca
This piece gets to the core of this issue along with poking fun at the 1855 date. Considering the emails I am getting from across the country, if anyone thinks this is only an internal DND matter, think again. Average Canadians are getting involved. Other government departments are getting involved. Museums, universities, and historians are getting involved. These "fools" think Canada actually had Armed Forces fighting foreign invaders in 1812. Go figure.
I hope this helps the discussion.
Robert
