Danny

Hi Dan

Message sent to you. Regards

Danny

I am assuming you have received the medal by now. Have you considered obtaining this man's service record?

Bonjour

Research infos on a recipiendaire of the VC (posthumously)(civil at the moment of its nommination) :

- Captain Archibald Bisset Smith, Kdt OTAKI Boat (Merchant Marine), after named Lieutenant in Royal Reserve Navy.

Thanks

Thierry

Here you go:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Bissett_Smith

Bonne journ

Hi Danny, In response to collectiing Canadian Cap Badges, You did not indicate what period you would be interested in.

A) Canadian Militia Badges Pre 1914.

B) First World War.

C) Canadian Badges 1920-1950.

D) Second World War.

E) Canadian Army 1953 - 1973.

Let me know what period would be of interest to you, and I will be able to give you a few book titles.

Concerning restrikes, all I can say is buyer beware, as there are some very good fakes out there.

Cheers

Woodbine

WW1 and WW2 would be my interest.

Nice info indeed. Anxious to read more about this campaign.

Another thing learned today. Thanks for the info.

Danny,

Yes, Please. Thank You!! My e-mail is:

riley1965@sbcglobal.net

Thanks,

Doc

OK I'll be emailing them to you shortly.

NOT a commercial plug, but Chris Dixon has listed:

Is this of any interest? (And, yes, off topic, but I thought it might have been of some interest. This MAY be the medal I am remembering from the JOMSA article, too. Will look . . . .)

Can you point me to his website please? Thanks

Disregard, found his website.

Well, the online JOMSA index (1985-2000) has come up empty. Now on to old-fashioned pre-1985 searching . . . sigh . . . .

Thanks for your efforts Ed. I hope that will give us an answer on why no medal was awarded. After all, they awarded one for the Fenian Raids and the NW Rebellion under Riel. Just curious.

Good to know, when will that be?

Stephen, probably in April.

Danny,

I have really enjoyed this post and would be keen to see the finished article, whilst I knew of the Fienian raids I had not heard of this, a quick scour of books also came up empty. It is fascinating the little bits (which weren?t so little at the time) of history that slip from our collective consciousness.

As I say please let us know when your article is finished..

Hi Stephen

There isn't that many books out but two that stand up:

1. Redcoats and Patriots by Senior, Elinor Kyte

2. (French) Histoire des Patriotes by G?rard Filteau.

Here is a reference: http://www.edunetconnect.com/cat/rebellions/

Danny

In a very good popular history of Australia - "The Barren Shore" - the author talks briefly of the exiled rebels and what a tough time they had there because, apparently, the average transportee was a patriot! The habitants were bullied and browbeaten and in a few cases beaten up for being rebels by the thieves, forgers and other british criminals. Queer world!

Another footnote: the current Law Society of Upper Canada building in Toronto is surronded by a lovely wrought iron fence dating from the 1840's or so. It's 10' tall, spiked on top and the entrances are enclosed in little cages with a V-shaped gate which restricts entry to one person at a time. All a good 30 yards from the building. Locals have told me "It was to keep the cows out." but it looks like a riot barrier to me!

My tuppence. Wher, if i may ask, are you publishing the article? I have a friend who's fascinated by the rebellions.

Peter

Hi Peter

I will be publishing it online at Armchair General's website. I've already got a few listed on that website on Canadian military involvement in world conflicts.

Micheal, do you still need Kiev and Sebastopol? If so, I can scan mine and email them to you.

Thanks for the input Guys. To touch up on casualties:

British/Loyalists: 30 killed

Habitant/Patriotes forces: A little over 310 killed

Three major battles (skirmishes by Civil war and European standards) were fought at St-Denis (Rebellion victory), St-Charles (British victory) and St-Eustache (British victory) in 1837. I live quite close to St-Eustache and went last week to take some photos for an article I am writing on another website.

In 1838, further revolts occurred and insurgents came in from mainly the US (canadian residents, not US citizens). A major battle occurred at Odelltown on the Qu?bec - New York border in which the Canadian Militias were able to beat the Insurgents. Several other skirmishes occurred and once the rebellion was crushed, a few hundreds were exhiled to Australia and Tasmania and I believe a dozen were hanged at the Montreal Prison. That ended the Rebellion but it paved the way for political reforms and the eventual setup of Canada in 1867. As a sidenote, after the Rebellion of 1837, General Colborne, the British Commander feared another revolt and asked Britain for reinforcements. He was sent two regiments, but not just any regiments: The Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards. It was irronic that during 1838, all the fighting against Rebel forces were done by local Militias, hence Canadian against Canadian. Our first Civil War.

Ed, were you able to locate that article in the JOMSA?

Who were the rebels? That sounds too early for Fenians (pre-potato famine)-- was it an Indian uprising?

Rick, they were Canadians revolting against British rule. The Rebellion called "The Patriot Rebellion" took place in Upper and Lower Canada and was put down quite quickly by the British and Militias.

In researching this piece of our history, it dawned on me that no medals were awarded to British and/or Canadian Militias who participated in putting down the rebellion. I found it odd since they awarded the General Service Medal for the Fenian raids of 1866, 1870 and the Red River Expedition. Does anyone know why no medal was awarded?

Yes, that's Lancashire Fusiliers.

As for yeomanry medals outside of the usual spheres of major conflicts? Their very nature as territorials pretty much precludes them from anything but big time shooting matches. I understand that some yeomanry blokes were involved in the Gulf War (who'd specifically volunteered to go), but whether their medals would be named to the unit they served with or their 'home' unit I cannot say. I wouldn't be at all surprised if some are out in Iraq now - along with other significant contributions from the TA.

Thanks for confirming the name of the Regiment. On the Regiment's website, I read that it participated in the battle of Spion Kop and the Relief of Ladysmith.

My very first British/Commonwealth medal. A bit if a twist from the Soviet awards I collect. Issued to a private of the Lanc. Fus. so I am assuming Lancashire Fusiliers???? Are records of soldiers of the SA war available online same as the Canadian national Archives? I've paid the UK Archives website a visit but can't seem to find anything online. I am including scans of the medal.

Superb photos. Thanks for sharing them with us. I am hoping to make it to Europe next year for my wedding anniversary and Ypres is definitely on the agenda.

Superb badges. The Soviets had a knack for badges didn't they??

The Chairman already answered this above. but the photo confirms him. 1911 Metropolitan Police Coronation medal, 1902 Metropolitan Police Cornation Medal, 1897 Metropolitan Police Jubilee Medal.

And he's wearing them in the wrong order - most recent first! If you check the constable in the upper right he's got the same medals, but worn correctly.

Thanks. I was aware of the answer from the Chairman, but since this photo was larger and much clearer, just wanted to confirm.

If this is the seller I think it is, he always has very hard and difficult to find badges for sale. In fact, he is the only one who has multiple extra rare badges and, for me, it is just too good to be true. Since his badges don't sell, I am assuming that others around the globe have the same feeling I do. Remember if it's too good to be true, then it isn't what it should be. Good luck for those bidding on his badges and please post a feedback here if you do purchase one.

Superb work. Thank you very much.

Here is a superb photo of Station Sgt Green. Could someone help me with the medals he is wearing? Thanks

Well Ed I took your advice and ordered this book. Thanks for the info.

I've received this book and I highly recommend it. Great photos and descriptions of Canadian medals and orders.