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Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 62

(x) A scarce Canada General Service Medal awarded to Private A. Foxton, Brockville Rifle Company

Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1866 (Pte. A. Foxton. Brockville R. Co.), good very fine

75 'Fenian Raid 1886' clasps to the Brockville Rifle Company.


The unit was formed due to the risk of a Fenian attack on the exposed town, which was sited on the St. Lawrence Front: with the river frozen over in winter, it offered a potential crossing for Fenians. Such was the popularity and efficiency of the unit that it was referenced as a model of the importance of the early Volunteer Militia Force in Canada. The Company saw frontier service during 1865, being posted to Amherstburg, before returning to Brockville in the same year. The early days of the unit are described in Troubulous Times in Canada, by J. A. MacDonald:

'Major Crawford called his officers together, and after a discussion of what might happen to Brockville in its unprotected condition, it was decided to make the following offer to the Militia Department:- As the Company was now 85 strong, they would enlist 15 more men, making a total of 100. The men would be called out at 6.30 p.m. every day, given a two hours' drill; an officer's guard to be mounted, to consist of one sergeant, one corporal and 24 men; sentries to be posted at seven of the most exposed places, including one at each of the two banks; the non-commissioned officers and men to be paid 25 cents each per day, the officers giving their services free, and if the Department would furnish the necessary bedding the Company would have 60 of the remaining men sleep in the Armory every night, to be ready for any emergency. This would enable the men to attend to their usual daily avocations and not interfere with the business requirements of their employers. This patriotic offer was at once accepted by the Government, and orders were issued to have the duties carried out as above stated, which was done in every detail from the 15th of December, 1865, to the eventful day in March, 1866, when the first general call was made on the Volunteer Force for service on the frontier.'

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Sold for
£270