Fowler5

found several interesting things in a family book, including starting life as a MacDonald Here's an account taken from an Orillia paper after an interview with Alexander Fowler (John's first son probably in late 1800's) " The medal was issued in 1848, and bears the vignette of her Majesty, Queen Victoria, on one side, and on the other full length figures of her Majesty crowning with a laurel wreath the Iron Duke, kneeling before her and the words "To the British Army. 1793 - 1814." There are clasps for Busaco, Fuentes, D'Onor, Salamanca, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, and Toulouse. The late Mr. Fowler was also at Vittoria, which he described as more like a field day than a battle, but as he was on the sick list, and left the hospital to take part in the battle, he was not supposed to have been in action, and so got no clasp for it. The medal is accompanied by this certificate: "Lt. General Lord Fitzroy Somerset is directed by the Commander-in-Chief to transmit to John Fowler, late of 42nd Regiment, the medal graciously awarded to him by Her Majesty, under the General Order of the 1st of June, 1847, the receipt of which he is to acknow­ledge. Horse Guards, 5th Nov., 1850". When coming to Canada in 1832, Mr. Fowler gave his medal for Waterloo and Quatre Bras, to a brother in Scotland, together with the plate which joined the crossbelts on his breast. This plate was indented at Waterloo by a bullet which almost pierced it. At Quatre Bras, the French Cuirassiers rode down the 42nd while in a field of rye so rank and tall that they did not see the horsemen until the foe were upon them. Taken at this disadvantage, the regiment lost heavily, but avenged them­selves by driving off their assailants in much diminished number. At Waterloo, the farmhouse of LaHaye Sainte was "the worst spot" Mr. Fowler ever was in, and the struggle for its possession throughout the day he described as terrible. Here Mr. Fowler's crossbelt was struck, his shako pierced with a number of bullets, and he was wounded once, if not twice — he had two wounds in the leg. On account of his wounds, John Fowler was sent to Chelsea Royal Military Hospital in London where he was a patient at times for the next few years. On the 28th. of June, 1820, he became an out-pensioner. After his continental engagements, he was still in the army serving in different capacities in various parts of the country. His discharge papers were evidently not given until a later date and will be given as written by officials at Quebec and Penetanguishene.

Darrell, that would be fantastic!! I'll pm our email address

I think I'll keep pursuing this. I've found out the area John settled was being surveyed around 1820 and he arrived in 1832 to concession 8, Lot E1/2 Medonte township - one of the first. Land grants (200 acres) were given free to retired British officers so I'd like to find what he did between the end of the war and when he left for Canada - did he remain in the army until retirement? Where could I go to look into his service record? I want to thank all of you for your words or encouragement, so,,, THANK YOU ALL!!!

Thanks for the notes, and I appreciate the extra info. Yes, he seemed to be one tough character, and a bit lucky too. Those battles must have been gruesome. For some reason, he missed the ship that was supposed to take him to Canada. When he finally got here, he heard that the first ship was lost at sea, no survivors. Settling here was tough too. He and a few of his new neighbours had to petition the government for supplies to get them through the first few winters. He also helped clear the main street, here in Orillia. There were 3 houses then, pop. 30,000 now.

Thank you Darrell, Ulsterman and Paul for your information. Were the Waterloo medals issued at the same time? I think I read the MGS medals were issued years after and I'm not sure when he settled here. My wife's aunts wrote a small book about the early Fowler days in Ontario. I'll have to track a copy down. I've attached a pic of his headstone. It's a small quiet cemetery, about 1/2 K from a 4 lane highway. I don't think anyone would notice it driving by. So I'm off to do some more investigating. Thanks again!

Hello there, My wife has this medal, which was given to her great, +,+ grandfather, John Fowler. I think he was a lucky man, surviving all this. He later settled in Canada, in Ontario, where we are. He is buried nearby, in Hobart Memorial Cemetary, as well as Joseph Fowler (1836-1908), Joseph Fowler (1876-1964), and my father in law, J (for Joseph!) Lorne Fowler (1915-1998). We would like to know any more information regarding when he was in service, etc or where any info can be found. I know there was a Waterloo medal but have not seen it. Thanks in advance!