The Niagara Falls Review, November 2009
by Kathleen Powell, Niagara Falls Museums
As we remember the veterans of the First and Second World Wars, Korea and all modern conflicts, it is interesting to wonder about veterans of the War of 1812.
Those who fought during the War of 1812 would have experienced the hardships of living away from loved ones, sleeping outside, the horror of battle and seeing close friends die on the battlefield.
The nature of war has not changed over the centuries, and the experiences of the men who fought in 1812 would have varied from today only in the technology and quality of accommodations.
What happened to these veterans after the war?
During the War of 1812, there
was actually a regular British Regiment - the 10th Royal Veterans - that was composed of veteran soldiers. These were formed to provide garrison defence and to train the militia.
It was hoped these regiments would provide defence of frontier posts while the main body of regular soldiers would be posted at strategically important centres, such as Quebec.
After the war, men who fought were discharged and many received pensions. In the United States, a system of providing military pensions was already in place for veterans of the Revolutionary War, and this was extended to those who fought during the War of 1812.
In the British Army, at the end of the war soldiers received grants of land from the crown as pension. The size of the grant depended on the rank of the individual during the war.
Others received pensions and some notable veterans were recognized with positions in government and some personal advancement.
There does not seem to have been a systematic way of providing for British veterans in Canada after the War of 1812, other than the Loyal and Patriotic Society, formed by Bishop John Strachan, which was formed to raise and distribute money on behalf of militiamen and their families who faced hardships after the war.
In Niagara Falls, veterans of the War of 1812 provided tours of the Lundy's Lane battlefield to tourists; some received land in return for their services and settled here, and many became prominent citizens who were instrumental in the development of the community.
Their memory lives on in many of the street names throughout the city.
Many of them are in the area near the Drummond Hill cemetery, including Drummond Road, Buchner Place, Riall Street, Lundy's Lane, Peer Street and Morrison Street.
Source: The Niagara Falls Review