The Middlesex Militia was a regiment of the provincial militia of

Upper Canada The Province of Upper Canada (french: link=no, province du Haut-Canada) was a part of British Canada established in 1791 by the Kingdom of Great Britain, to govern the central third of the lands in British North America, formerly part of the ...

that was raised in

Middlesex County, Ontario Middlesex County (2016 population 71,551)Sum of the eight municipalities in Middlesex County from is a primarily rural county in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Landlocked, the county is bordered by Huron and Perth counties on the north, Oxford Co ...

, in the early 1800s. The Middlesex Militia is currently perpetuated by the 4th Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.

Early days

Middlesex County was originally organized as Suffolk County in 1792 by Governor Simcoe. In 1793, he renamed the county Middlesex and created the settlement of

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, intending for the new capital of Upper Canada to be located there. It became part of the

London District London District (LONDIST) is the name given by the British Army to the area of operations encompassing the Greater London area. It was established in 1870 as ''Home District''. History In January 1876 a ‘Mobilization Scheme for the forces in ...

in 1798. Around 1800, the first militia units were raised in Middlesex County, but by 1808 it was still unorganized as a coherent county unit.

War of 1812

During the War of 1812, the 1st Middlesex Militia was commanded by Col. Talbot and served along the Western and Niagara frontiers from 1812 to 1814. The 1st Middlesex Militia was composed of the following companies and officers (with dates of commission): Headquarters *Col. Hon. Thomas Talbot - 12 Feb., 1812 *Lt.-Col. Mahlon Burwell - 13 Feb., 1812 *Maj. John Eakins *Adj. John Potts *Adj. James Nevill - 25 March 1814 *Qrtmstr. Sylvanus Reynolds - 29 Dec., 1812 1st Flank Company *Capt. David Secord - 12 Feb., 1812 *Lt. William Saxton - 13 Feb., 1812 *Ens. Benjamin Wilson 2nd Flank Company *Capt. Daniel Springer - 13 Feb., 1812 *L.t William Bird - 12 Feb., 1812 *Ens. Joseph Defields - 14 Feb., 1812 1st Battalion Company *Capt. Gilman Wilson - 14 Feb., 1812 *Lt. Moses Rice *Ens. Daniel Mclntyre - 12 Feb., 1812 2nd Battalion Company *Capt. Leslie Patterson - 15 Feb., 1812 *Lt. Gideon Tiffany - 14 Feb., 1812 *Ens. David Davis, 13 Feb., 1812 3rd Battalion Company *Capt. Samuel Edison - 16 Feb., 1812 (grandfather of

Thomas Edison Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices in fields such as electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. These inventio ...

) *Lt. Samuel Axford *Ens. Samuel Harris - 17 Feb., 1812 Elements of the ''1st Flank Company'' were attached to the 1st Norfolk Militia and served at the

Siege of Detroit The siege of Detroit, also known as the surrender of Detroit or the Battle of Fort Detroit, was an early engagement in the War of 1812. A British force under Major General Isaac Brock with Native American allies under Shawnee leader Tecumseh ...

including Ensign Benjamin Wilson who was awarded the Military General Service Medal. Detachments from the ''1st Flank Company'' and the ''1st Battalion Company'' fought at the

Skirmish at McCrae's House The Skirmish at McCrae's House was a small skirmish fought on December 15, 1813, during the War of 1812 near Chatham, Ontario, Canada. Background Following the Battle of the Thames in October, American forces occupied most of south-western Ont ...

in December 1813 under the command of Lt. Moses Rice and Ens. Benjamin Wilson. Detachments from all companies of the 1st Middlesex fought at the

Battle of Lundy's Lane The Battle of Lundy's Lane, also known as the Battle of Niagara, was a battle fought on 25 July 1814, during the War of 1812, between an invading American army and a British and Canadian army near present-day Niagara Falls, Ontario. It was one o ...

on July 25, 1814. The regiment formed part of the ''2nd Militia Brigade'' under Lt-Col. Christopher Hamilton, which served in Col. Hercules Scott's force. The force advanced from Twelve Mile Creek and halted early on the morning of July 25 at Shipman's Corners. Around 1:00 p.m., the force received orders to rendezvous with Col. Brown at Lundy’s Lane, and they advanced to the battlefield, joining the engagement that afternoon. Two privates from the 1st Middlesex were wounded in the battle. The majority of the whole regiment fought at the

Battle of Malcolm's Mills The Battle of Malcolm's Mills was the last battle of the War of 1812 fought in the Canadas. A force of American cavalry, mounted troops overran and scattered a force of Canadian militia. The battle was fought on November 6, 1814, near the villa ...

on November 6, 1814, under the command of Maj. John Eakins. The 1st Middlesex suffered one private killed during the battle. It was the last land battle fought in Upper Canada during the war. On November 24, 1813, the Loyal London Volunteers was formed as an independent militia company operating in the London area. They would serve against the American raids in 1814.

Reorganization of the Militia

On June 18, 1822, a Militia General Order was issued from York reorganizing the Upper Canada militia regiments. This order divided the 1st Middlesex Regiment of Militia into four regiments or battalions. The four regiments were: *1st Middlesex Regiment - commanded by Col. Thomas Talbot *2nd Middlesex Regiment - commanded by Lieut. Colonel

Mahlon Burwell Mahlon Burwell (February 18, 1783 – January 25, 1846) was a surveyor and political figure in Upper Canada. He was born in New Jersey in 1783 and came to Upper Canada with his family in 1796. He was largely self-schooled and was employed by ...

*3rd Middlesex Regiment - commanded by Lieut. Col.

John Bostwick John Bostwick (February 24, 1780 – September 9, 1849) was a surveyor, businessman and political figure in Upper Canada. He was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts in 1780 to Gideon Bostwick. His father had obtained land in Oxford Coun ...

, from the 1st Norfolk Militia *4th Middlesex Regiment - commanded by Lieut. Col. James Hamilton In 1830 the regiments of Middlesex militia were composed of the following officers: 1st Middlesex *''Colonel'' - Thomas Talbot *''Captains'' - Gilman Wilson, Leslie Patterson, John Matthews, James McQueen, John Warren, Archibald Gillis, Hugh McCowan, James McKinley *''Lieutenants'' - Wm. Bird, Gideon Tiffany, Thos. McCall, Samuel McCall, John G. Gillies, Duncan Mackenzie, J. M. Farland (Adjutant) *''Ensigns'' - Daniel McIntyre, David Davis, Samuel Harris *''Quartermaster'' - Sylvanus Reynolds 2nd Middlesex *''Colonel'' - Mahlon Burwell *''Lieutenant-Colonel'' - John Backhouse *''Major'' - John Rolph *''Captains'' - Samuel Edison, Wm. Saxton, Joseph Defield, Abe. Backhouse, Titus Williams, Isaac Draper, Andrew Dobie, Henry Backhouse, William Summers *''Lieutenants'' - Gilbert Wrong, John Summers, James Hutchinson, James Bell, Henry House, James Summers, Alex. Saxton *''Ensigns'' - George Dobie, Alexander Summers, John Benner, John E. Kennedy, Win. McIntosh, Peter Defield, Thomas Edison jr. *''Quartermaster'' - Reuben Kennedy 3rd Middlesex *''Colonel'' - John Bostwick *''Captains'' - Benjamin Wilson, James Nevilles, John Conrad and Joseph Smith, Joseph L. O'Dell, Josiah C. Goodhue, Joseph House, Michael McLoughlin *''Lieutenants'' - Wm. Orr and Jesse Gantz, John Merlatt, Joshua Putnam, James Weishuln, Joshua S. O'Dell, William P. Leard, Gardner Merrick *''Ensigns'' - Jonas Barnes, John T. Doan, Silas E. Curtis, Nathaniel Griffiths, Lawrence Dingman, Samuel Summer 4th Middlesex *''Colonel'' - James Hamilton *''Major'' - Ira Schofield *''Captains'' - Joseph Harrison, Simon Bullen, Roswell Mount, Duncan Mackenzie, Richard Talbot, Daniel Hine, Edward E Warren, Thomas Lawrason, Daniel Doty, Edward E. Talbot, Wm. Putnam, John Ewart *''Lieutenants'' - James Fisher, John Siddall, John T. Jones, Wm. Gray, Alex. Sinclair, John Brain, Arch. McFarlane, Robert Webster, Nathaniel Jacobs *''Ensigns'' - Henry B Warren, Lawrence Lawrason, Daniel Campbell, Thomas H. Sumner, George Robson, Wm. Burgess, Philip Harding, James Parkinson, John Talbot, jr. *''Quartermaster'' - William Putnam By 1837, the militia had again been reorganized, with the battalions correlating to the county townships: *1st Middlesex ( Dunwich, Southwold and Aldborough) Regiment - Col. T. Talbot *2nd Middlesex ( Malahide and

Bayham Bayham ( 2011 Population: 6,989) is a municipality in the southeast corner of Elgin County, Ontario, Canada. It is south of the town of Tillsonburg and Oxford County. History Bayham was named in 1810 for Viscount Bayham Charles Pratt, a frien ...

) Regiment - Col. M. Burwell *3rd Middlesex (

Yarmouth Yarmouth may refer to: Places Canada *Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia **Yarmouth, Nova Scotia **Municipality of the District of Yarmouth **Yarmouth (provincial electoral district) **Yarmouth (electoral district) * Yarmouth Township, Ontario *New ...

Westminster Westminster is an area of Central London, part of the wider City of Westminster. The area, which extends from the River Thames to Oxford Street, has many visitor attractions and historic landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster, Bu ...

, Dorchester and

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...

) Regiment - Col. J. Bostwick *4th Middlesex (

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and North Dorchester) Regiment - Lt-Col. T.H. Ball *5th Middlesex (

Caradoc Caradoc Vreichvras (; Modern cy, Caradog Freichfras, ) was a semi-legendary ancestor to the kings of Gwent. He may have lived during the 5th or 6th century. He is remembered in the Matter of Britain as a Knight of the Round Table, under the na ...

, Ekfrid and

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) Regiment - Col. S. Craig *2nd Middlesex (

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...

) Light Infantry - Col. T Radcliff

Rebellion of 1837-38

In 1837, London was selected as a military station, with the

32nd Regiment of Foot The 32nd Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, raised in 1702. Under the Childers Reforms it amalgamated with the 46th (South Devonshire) Regiment of Foot to form the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in 1881. History ...

being the first to garrison the city, while the

85th Regiment of Foot The 85th (Bucks Volunteers) Regiment of Foot was a British Army line infantry regiment, raised in 1793. Under the Childers Reforms it amalgamated with the 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot to form the King's Shropshire Light Infantry in 1881. H ...

occupied St Thomas and Sandwich. With the outbreak of the

Rebellions of 1837-1838 Rebellion, uprising, or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It refers to the open resistance against the orders of an established authority. A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and ...

, the Middlesex Militia was placed on active duty in the county and was tasked with apprehending rebels from the area who were gathering under the command of Charles Duncombe. Men from Norfolk, Oxford, and Middlesex flocked to join the rebel militia that was gathering near Middlesex. With the advance of the Oxford and Middlesex militias, the rebels quickly dispersed before an engagement could occur. A battalion of four companies was formed in London in 1837 to serve as a Home Guard. The men were enlisted for 18 months service but due to the end of the rebellion in 1838 they were discharged early. Col. T.H. Ball from the 4th Middlesex Regiment was placed in command of the London Home Guard Battalion with the following officers: *''Capts.'' John Wilson and William McMillan *''Lts.'' H.R.C. Becher and John Jennings *''Ens.'' Sterne Ball and Thomas Ball *''Adj.'' Ross Robertson *''Surg.'' Dr. McKenzie *''Qrtrmstr.'' Freeman Talbot Elements of the Middlesex Militia served at

Fort Malden Fort Malden, formally known as Fort Amherstburg, is a defence fortification located in Amherstburg, Ontario. It was built in 1795 by Great Britain in order to ensure the security of British North America against any potential threat of American i ...

during the rebellion and on January 9, 1838, a force of 60 rebels sailed from the United States and landed on Bois Blanc Island. The schooner ''Anne'', supporting the rebel attack, sailed alongside the mainland firing on positions at Fort Malden. The 2nd Middlesex Light Infantry, under Col. Thomas Radcliff, and other local regiments returned fire, disabling the helmsman and damaging the rigging. The ''Anne'' grounded on Elliott's Point and the rebels were captured by Radcliff's men.

Fenian Raids

A Militia General Order issued from Quebec on July 12, 1855, placed Middlesex County into Militia District No. 8, along with Elgin, Oxford, Norfolk, Brant and London. The headquarters for the militia district were in London. The volunteer militia companies raised in the City of London during this time were: * London Volunteer Troop of Cavalry - raised in 1854 * London Field Battery of Artillery - raised in 1856 * 2nd Volunteer Militia Rifle Company of London (*) - raised on 20 March 1856 * The London Highland Volunteer Rifle Company (*) - raised on 7 August 1856 * Volunteer Militia Foot Artillery Company of London (*) - raised on 22 January 1862 * The Merchants Volunteer Rifle Company of London (*) - raised on 26 December 1862 * 2nd London Infantry Company (*) - raised on 23 January 1863 * London Volunteer Rifle Company (*)- raised on 24 March 1865 Companies marked with an (*) would amalgamate to form the 7th London Fusiliers on 27 April 1866. The volunteer militia companies raised in the surrounding Middlesex County during this time were: * Komoka Rifle Company - raised 17 July 1861 * Thamesford Infantry Company - raised 11 September 1862 * Lucan Infantry Company - raised 19 December 1862 * Wardsville Infantry Company - raised 2 January 1863 * Delaware Infantry Company - raised 30 Jan. 1863 * Harriettsville Infantry Company - raised 6 February 1863 * Strathroy Infantry Company - raised 8 June 1866 They would amalgamate to form the 26th Middlesex Light Infantry on 14 September 1866. In 1865, the sedentary Middlesex Militia was composed of eight battalions, corresponding to the townships within the county, while London had two battalions of militia. The following were the officers of the Middlesex and London Militia: *1st Middlesex Battalion - Lt-Col. William McMillan *2nd Middlesex Battalion - Lt-Col. William E. Niles *3rd Middlesex Battalion - Lt-Col. William Orr *4th Middlesex Battalion - Lt-Col. Benjamin Springer *5th Middlesex Battalion - Lt-Col. William M. Johnson *6th Middlesex Battalion - Lt-Col. John Arthurs *7th Middlesex Battalion - Lt-Col. Richard Irwin *8th Middlesex Battalion - Lt-Col.

John Scatcherd John Scatcherd (21 January 1800 – 15 June 1858) was a farmer, merchant and political figure in Canada West. He represented West Middlesex in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1854 to 1858. He came to Upper Canada from Wyt ...

*1st London Militia - Lt-Col. Lawrence Lawrason *2nd London Militia - Lt-Col. John Wilson The establishment of the two Middlesex area regiments in 1866 led to the essential disbanding of the sedentary county militia. Both regiments would serve on active duty during the Fenian Raids and many veterans would receive the

Canada General Service Medal The Canada General Service Medal was a campaign medal awarded by the Canadian Government to both Imperial and Canadian forces for duties related to the Fenian raids between 1866 and 1871. The medal was initially issued in 1899 and had to be ap ...

Perpetuation

Through the lineage of the 7th London Fusiliers, the Middlesex Militia is currently perpetuated by the 4th Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, and the regiment bears the War of 1812 battle honours won by the Middlesex Militia: * * *

References

{{reflist Middlesex County, Ontario Canadian Militia