WAR OF 1812: UNIT RECOGNITION

[Michael OLeary]

By the same token, then the SD&G Highlanders shouldn't have "Glengarry Fencibles" on their cap badge either.

it's not a matter of "should" or "shouldn't"; each regiment bears the iconography it chose, but the icons, and the stories used to justify them, don't affect the regiments' official lineage.

 

[Haggis]

By the same token, then the SD&G Highlanders shouldn't have "Glengarry Fencibles" on their cap badge either.

it's not a matter of "should" or "shouldn't"; each regiment bears the iconography it chose, but the icons, and the stories used to justify them, don't affect the regiments' official lineage.

Surely, at the time that the badge was approved for wear, the iconography of the badge was verified and the entitlement to bear such iconongraphy validated?  It's a tenuous connection, but still a connection.

 

[Michael OLeary]

Surely, at the time that the badge was approved for wear, the iconography of the badge was verified and the entitlement to bear such iconongraphy validated?  It's a tenuous connection, but still a connection.

Verified by who? Against what standard? The same Militia Department that let regiments choose to "brand" themselves in imitiation of various British Army regiments? The more you start to dig into the origins of such affectations, the more you start to realize that they were, probably more often than not, simply the preference of the Colonel of the day.

Yes, it's a connection - but it's not official lineage.  And that is the critical point. I am certainly not suggesting that any Regiment shouldn't maintain a connection to the units that were formed in the same geographical area as a connection to their predecessors, but respecting and honouring those connections are not the same as having an official lineage including them. We should also keep in mind that recognizing those connections based on geography isn't limited just to the War of 1812 units that form the underlying basis of this thread.

 

[Pusser]

All this goes to show that the naval practice of attaching battle honours to a name makes much more sense.  :nod: This is why a building in Toronto carries the honour for taking Louisburg in 1758.

 

[The Bread Guy]

This from a news release today - highlights mine:

.... The Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force are planning to participate in several dozen community-led events over the course of the summer of 2012 through to 2015, which marks the anniversary of the final battle of the War. The majority of the activities and events will be in 2012, and most activities will take place in the Niagara-Great Lakes corridor region. Other Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces-related initiatives include:

• the presentation of a War of 1812 Commemorative Banner, approved by Queen Elizabeth II, to CF units, formations and establishments whose heritage embraces service in the War of 1812 as well as First Nations and Métis communities. Aboriginal warriors fought alongside British and Canadian soldiers and sailors in all theatres of the war and were the deciding factor in many battles. The identification of First Nations and Métis recipients is principally the work of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada;
• participation by Royal Canadian Navy ships in 18 visits to ports in Canada and the U.S. throughout the Great Lakes, as well as in five U.S. Navy signature events in the Great Lakes and along the East coast during the summer of 2012;
• participation in several Colonial Sailor Program re-enactment events during 2012-2015, including “tall ships” used for sail training and historical demonstrations, fitted with appropriate ensigns and colours, with crews in historical dress. This program is conducted by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces and will be supported by Parks Canada;
• a War of 1812 commemorative pin to be worn by all Canadian Forces members; and
• the examination of other ways to formally recognize and honour the British and Canadian units whose heritage embraces service in the War of 1812.

(....)

More from the Backgrounder:

The commemoration of the War of 1812 will provide Canadians across the country with a unique opportunity to participate in national and local initiatives to highlight this defining moment in our history. Over the next four years, the Government of Canada will invest in a series of activities that will highlight the importance of the War of 1812 and its impact on the Canada we know today.

As part of the Government of Canada’s program to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812, the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Forces (CF) have developed several 1812-themed initiatives.  Some of these initiatives will include:

    Recognizing the War of 1812 heritage embraced by some CF units and the contribution made by First Nations and Métis allies to the War of 1812;
    Supporting several Colonial Sailor Program re-enactment events during 2012-2015;
    Promoting the tradition of the citizen soldier in Canada and commemorating the contributions made by regular and militia soldiers, provincial marine, and First Nations and Métis allies who participated in the War of 1812;
    Supporting the deployment of a Royal Canadian Naval ships to Canadian ports in the Great Lakes throughout the 2012-2015 commemorative period;
    Participating in a number of the United States Navy’s bicentennial commemoration efforts at select locations in the Great Lakes, East and West Coasts;
    Contributing to the War of 1812 bicentennial celebrations by conducting aircraft flypasts at selected events; and
    Participating in select, high-profile events (including re-enactments of the Battles of Stoney Creek and Queenston Heights), at which Regular and Reserve units raised in British North America made exemplary contributions to the overall end state of the War.

DND/CF War of 1812 Events and Initiatives

Commemorative Banners

The Department of National Defence has created the Canadian Forces War of 1812 Commemorative Banner. This Banner will be presented to CF units, formations, and establishments whose heritage embraces service in the defence of Canada during 1812-1815. The Commemorative Banner will also be available through Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to those First Nations and Métis communities wanting to recognize and commemorate the contribution of First Nations and Métis allies to the defence of Canada during this same period. Once presented, the Banner may be carried, flown, or displayed throughout the 2012-2015 commemorative period. Thereafter, it may be paraded on anniversaries of events of the War of 1812 that specific units, formations, and establishments consider important to their own heritage.  The Commemorative Banner will be unveiled in the coming months.

The War Of 1812 Commemorative Pin

Canadian Heritage will be issuing a “War of 1812 Commemorative Pin” as part of the Government of Canada’s commemoration efforts. As per CF Dress Instructions, military members will be authorized to wear the pin for the duration of the commemorative period.

Royal Canadian Navy’s Colonial Sailor Program

The Royal Canadian Navy will participate in community re-enactment events.  This program is designed to raise public awareness about the maritime aspects of the colonial period through the re-enactment of historical events with actors in period costume, using period vessels.  The Colonial Sailor Program is reflective of the Provincial Marine, the Canadian-manned force which provided naval services to the colonies of Upper Canada and Lower Canada up to the War of 1812, and which formed the basis for continuing “naval militias” through the 19th Century.  The Provincial Marine was the first indigenous naval force manned by Canadians. It and its successor naval militia formations perpetuated citizen involvement in Canada’s naval defence until the passage of the Naval Service Act in 1910 established a formal Canadian navy.

The War Of 1812 Commemorative Pin

Port visits will be conducted over the next four years by Royal Canadian Navy and United States Navy vessels to Great Lakes ports, in conjunction with bicentennial events to commemorate either War of 1812 naval battles or commemorations of events at nearby battlefields.

Royal Canadian Navy’s Colonial Sailor Program

The Royal Canadian Navy will play a role in the various U.S. Signature events planned by the U.S. Navy on the East Coast including “Fleet Week.”

Canadian Army Activities

The Canadian Army’s contribution to the War of 1812 Commemorative initiative will be broken down into four main themes:

    Unit commemorations;
    Aboriginal commemorations and recognition;
    Performances; and
    Participation and/or presence.

The performances will include drill and colour party displays. Performances will take place at events including the Battle of York/Freedom of the City (Toronto) on the bicentennial of that battle on April 27, 2013.

The Canadian Army will participate and/or perform at the following main events, throughout 2012, 2013 and 2014:

    Commemoration of the declaration of war (Toronto, ON on June 1, 2012);
    the Battle of Stoney Creek (June 6, 2012);
    the Battle of Queenston Heights (October 14, 2012);
    the Battle of York (April 27-28, 2013);
    the Battle/capture of Fort George (by the USA) (May 27, 2013);
    the Battle of Chateauguay (October 7, 2013); and
    the Battle of Lundy’s Lane (July 25, 2014).

Plans for participation in these events, as well as the remaining 30-plus others currently in the planning stages, will be promulgated by the participating units/formations in the coming months or years.

 

[Loachman]

a War of 1812 commemorative pin to be worn by all Canadian Forces members;

Mandatory?

Another reason to avoid wearing a uniform that I despise.

 

[Journeyman]

I can only hope that the pin looks like the Warrior Badge, and that they can pay for all of this crap out of the monies saved in upcoming budget slashing.  :

Seriously. Are lobotomies -- or spinectomies -- involved with NDHQ postings, such that no one can tell the Good Idea Faeries, "look, this is a stupid idea"?

 

[Danjanou]

I can only hope that the pin looks like the Warrior Badge, and that they can pay for all of this crap out of the monies saved in upcoming budget slashing.  :

Seriously. Are lobotomies -- or spinectomies -- involved with NDHQ postings, such that no one can tell the Good Idea Faeries, "look, this is a stupid idea"?

Apparently so or someone just found a whole warehouse full of unissued Warrior Badges. :

 

[Journeyman]

Peacekeeping medal, QDJM, 1812 Pin..... Pretty soon the Frontiersmen will be mocking us.  :not-again:

 

[Danjanou]

Peacekeeping medal, QDJM, 1812 Pin..... Pretty soon the Frontiersmen will be mocking us.  :not-again:

Rejected your CT to the LOF Gryphen Para Squadron did they? 8)

 

[Journeyman]

Rejected your CT to the LOF Gryphen Para Squadron did they? 8)

Yes, they said with all this NDHQ-bling, I looked too.....you know, Elton John'esq

 

[wheels031]

AJFitzpatrick

[shadow=red,left]Can it be presumed that these 'recognitions' (?) are going to be exclusive to the Militia Primary Reserve? [/shadow]

The answer is no. The Regular Force will be affected as well as the Primary Reserve Units.
For example I cite that RCR and the R 22e R (both of which had amalgamated with Reserve Units in the 1950s), as well as the 12e RBC, which was a Reserve Unit that was elevated to the Regular Force on 06 May 1968.
The Reserve Components of all three Regiments are domiciled in the same counties as War of 1812 Units that fought in the War of War 1812 and in which action took place.

Bear in mind what Michael O'leary said, that this in no way disignates claims of lineage. All Units that fought in the War of 1812 were later disbanded. The earliest present day Units can not trace a solid line lineage passed 1855 --- unless and until a competant authority (eg MND; DHH) says so, and I doubt that this will happen.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Seriously. Are lobotomies -- or spinectomies -- involved with NDHQ postings, such that no one can tell the Good Idea Faeries, "look, this is a stupid idea"?

Maybe someone (or some) did, unsuccessfully?

 

[wheels031]

The following reply may be of interest to everyone regarding this thread :

There is no doubt that numerous Canadian units served extensively and bravely during the War of 1812. British authorities thought it appropriate, for example, to award the battle honour "Niagara" to the Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada. The matter of current Canadian Forces' units perpetuating Canadian units that served during the War of 1812 falls under the guidance of the Canadian Forces Battle Honours Committee.

Please be aware that much of the battle honour focus at this time is directed at the upcoming necessity to review the campaign currently underway in Afghanistan with respect to potential battle honour awards. The submission of historic battle honour awards for consideration by the Canadian Forces Battle Honours Committee is always a possibility, but there is no means by which to be specific about when those deliberations will take place of what the results may be.

Thank you for your time,

Ken Reynolds, PhD
Assistant Canadian Forces Heritage Officer / Officier adjoint du patrimoine des Forces canadiennes
Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH 6-2) / Direction - Histoire et patrimoine (DHP 6-2)
Chief of Military Personnel (CMP) / Chef du personnel militaire (CPM)
National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) / Quartier général de la Défense nationale (QGDN)
vaya con Dios

John

 

[Bill Smy]

It would appear that there has been a change in thinking at DHH regarding perpetuation and Battle Honours.

From the programme issued at the Military Muster held in Toronto before Prince Charles on 22 May 2012:

“The five snare drums are commemorative items created to visually represent the awards made to historic Canadian militia units for their service during the War of 1812 and the recent perpetuation of more than one hundred of these units by twenty-nine currently-serving units of the Canadian Army.  Three of the drums represent regions and provinces – Atlantic, Quebec, and Ontario – and depict the names of the perpetuating units and their Honorary Distinction.  The fourth drum depicts the names of the four Canadian Army regiments which jointly perpetuate the wartime Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada and their inherited battle honour “NIAGARA’ as well as the War of 1812 Honourary Distinction DEFENCE OF CANADA – 1812-1815 – DÉFENCE DU CANADA.

The fifth drum depicts the names of the six Fencible regiments of the British Army raised in British North America which saw service during the War of 1812.  Soldiers from The Halifax Rifles and The Royal Newfoundland Regiment are on parade today to reflect the service of the Fencible Regiments raised in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.”

Nova Scotia
84th Independent Field Artillery, RCA
1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders
The West Nova Scotia Regiment
New Brunswick
3rd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s)
The Royal New Brunswick Regiment

Quebec
2nd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
12e Régiment blindé du Canada
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
The Canadian Grenadier Guards
Les Fusilliers du St-Laurent
Les Fusilliers Mont-Royal
Le Regiment de la Chaudiere
Royal 22e Regiment
The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal)
The Sherbrooke Hussars
Les Voltiguerus de Québec

Ontario
7th Toronto Regiment, RCA31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgin’s)
56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCAThe Brockville Rifles
The Essex and Kent Scottish
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
The Lincoln and Welland Regiment
The Princess of Wale’s Own Regiment
The Queen’s York Rangers, (1st American Regiment), RCAC
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Hamiliton Light Infantry
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders


Regiments linked to War of 1812 Fencible Units recruited in North America

Regiment
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment
The Halifax Rifles, RCAC
The Royal New Brunswick Regiment
Royal 22e Regiment
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders"


From the Prime Minister's web page ( http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php?action=post;topic=20165.0;last_msg=1144494)

"In commemoration of the War of 1812, the four Canadian Army regiments with links to the Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada, which played a major role in the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, will now perpetuate the Battle Honour NIAGARA, originally granted to the Militia after the War of 1812. These Canadian Army regiments are the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, the Queen’s York Rangers, the Brockville Rifles and the Princess of Wales Own Regiment."

 

[QORvanweert]

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1202412--long-lost-regimental-colour-from-war-of-1812-to-rise-again

"A New Brunswick regimental colour that flew proudly over what was possibly Canada’s first handpicked army during the War of 1812 is being restored.

The six-foot-square colour survived a 1,100-kilometre trek during the winter of 1813 from Fredericton to Kingston to help defend Canada from American invaders and several battles during the two-year war. The restoration is expected to cost thousands of dollars.

“The 104th Regiment of Foot was raised by Col. Martin Hunter, a British officer,” Gary Hughes, a curator of history and technology at the New Brunswick Museum, told the Toronto Star Tuesday.

“In my mind, I think this was a Canadian regiment before there was a Canada … it was the only Canadian raised regiment to ascend to the line at that point,” Hughes said.

About 600 men started out from Fredericton in mid-February, 1813, and 52 days later they arrived in Kingston in mid-April, having lost just one soldier. Not long after arriving they participated in an amphibious raid on Sackets Harbor, New York, across Lake Ontario from Kingston.

“It was almost a victory and should have been but for a rather cautious commander (Sir George Prevost). He could have taken Sackets, but he ordered a retreat while the Americans were beginning to burn their emplacements,” Hughes said.

About 200 more soldiers from the regiment arrived by boat later in the spring of 1813.

The regiment acquitted itself well in other major battles, including the 1814 campaigns of Lundy’s Lane and Fort Erie. After the war was over, the regiment, which by then only had about 250 soldiers left, was disbanded.

When Hunter returned to Scotland, he took the colour with him and it remained there until 1939 when a descendent, Jessie Louisa Hunter, donated it to the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John where it was mounted in a glass case. But it suffered the ravages of time and was finally packed away in the 1970s.

An unnamed benefactor has agreed to pay for the restoration in Nova Scotia. The restored colour will be hung once again in the museum as part of a larger display to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the war.

XXXA flag that was marched by the 104th Regiment of Foot from Fredericton to Kingston, Ontario during the War of 1812 is being restored for an exhibit about the war, being held at the New Brunswick Museum next year.

The regiment consisted of men from the Maritime provinces and what was then Upper and Lower Canada.

“It's kind of almost like a Canadian regiment before there was a Canada,” said Gary Hughes, a curator of history and technology at the museum.

The regiment is in the history books for making the epic 1,100-kilometre trek during the winter of 1813 to help defend Canada from American invaders.

“It was a march that was conducted with the aid of snowshoes and toboggans,” said Hughes.

Historian Donald Graves edited the memoirs of Lt. John Le Couteur, who kept a journal throughout the 52-day trek between February and April, when temperatures dropped as low as -27C.

“You learn from the journals that it was a very difficult thing — going through snow waist-high, 800 men and their supplies, dragging their food on toboggans,” he said.

The regiment’s colour — a six-by-six foot silk banner and military symbol — is being refurbished in Halifax, thanks to an unknown donor.

The New Brunswick Museum's exhibit is slated to begin in December 2012, or January 2013, before the 200th anniversary of the historic march, and remain on display until the late fall of 2013.

The restored flag will be on permanent display at Saint John's Market Square following the museum's exhibition."

Photo at link.

 

[Northern Ranger]

Saw the 1812 Pin today,    made in China on the back troops are really impressed :facepalm:

 

[aesop081]

Saw the 1812 Pin today,    made in China on the back troops are really impressed :facepalm:

Could be worse, it could have said "Made in the USA"

>

 

[Gunner98]

Saw the 1812 Pin today,    made in China on the back troops are really impressed :facepalm:

Started wearing this lovely pin today - what a statement it makes - really, seriously - 3 years - it won't last that long.  http://lookoutnewspaper.com/minister-mackay-introduces-war-of-1812-pins/

 

[The Bread Guy]

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced that Canadian Army regiments that perpetuate the history and heritage of War of 1812 units that defended our country during that conflict will be awarded a battle honour for the victory at the Battle of Detroit. Minister MacKay, joined by Ted Opitz, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, made the announcement at Fort York National Historic Site as part of the Government’s efforts to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 .... The battle of Detroit was a pivotal event for the people of York and for the Militia units that they raised. Upon his return to York (Toronto) after the battle of Detroit, Major-General Isaac Brock, their commander at Detroit, publicly expressed his admiration for the militia units from York that had served in the battle. In his report on the battle he went on to note that the service of the militia units would never be forgotten.

As part of the commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, the federal Government committed to honouring the memory of all who served during the war. As a result, seven modern day Canadian Army regiments that perpetuate the War of 1812 units that fought at the battle of Detroit will receive the Battle Honour “DETROIT”. The first six of these regiments are:

•56th Field Artillery Regiment (RCA), Brantford, Ont.;
•The Essex and Kent Scottish, Windsor, Ont.;
•The Lincoln and Welland Regiment, St. Catharines, Ont.;
•The Queen’s York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC), Toronto, Ont.;
•The Royal Canadian Regiment, Petawawa, Ont.; and
•The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment), Hamilton, Ont.

In addition to these units, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment stationed in St. John’s, N.L., will also receive the Battle Honour “DETROIT” in memory of the Newfoundlanders who, as members of the British Royal Newfoundland Fencible Infantry, were present at the Battle of Detroit ....

DND Info-machine, 15 Aug 12

"Process of Perpetuation" backgrounder here, and backgrounder on the Battle of Detroit here - screen captures also attached in case links don't work.