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Research in Other Countries => Canada => Topic started by: Retired researcher on Friday 10 May 13 16:22 BST (UK)
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My husband's gggrandfather David Cochrane was in the Royal Artillery from 1836 - 1858. Three of his children were born in Canada - son David in 1848 in Quebec, daughter Jane in 1850 in Kingston, Ontario and Henrietta in 1852 in Quebec. He served in Canada for 5 years 3 months according to his military history. I am trying to understand why British soldiers were stationed in Canada during this time. Would this be part of the "Road to Confederation" or another reason.
It appears that soon after returning to England David was in the Crimean War.
Any help would be appreciated.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Canada
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This is also a good site.
http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/MilitaryHistoryofCanada.htm
I'm by no means a military expert, but read the Richard Gwyn biography of Sir John A MacDonald a few months ago. It explained the situation as I'd not understood it before.
After the war of 1812 the USA continued to have designs on Canada. Before confederation in 1867 the USA assumed that Upper & Lower Canada (Que / Ont) would eventually become part of the USA. While this assumption of US control lessened for eastern Canada after confederation, the threat" for Sask, AB & BC continued until WWI. The threat was a driver for the railway as well as for the big push to encourage immigration to the prairies. The Cdn government felt they needed to have more citizens in western Canada in order to clearly make claim to it.
Between 1812 and 1867 the British maintained forces here as a defensive precaution. During that time they decided that that they couldn't afford to go to war with the US again and that was a deciding factor in their approval of Canada's independence.
I know this is likely not as specific as you'd like, but perhaps it gives you some context.
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Thank you RedMystic
This information does help me to understand why British forces were in Canada during this time.
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http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/martello-tower
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Frederick_(Kingston)
You can also google Fort Henry - Kingston
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This information does help me to understand why British forces were in Canada during this time.
British troops were in British North America starting in the 1600s iirc. As long as there were British colonies there was going to be a British military presence.
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I don't believe anyone has mentioned Fort Henry in Kingston yet...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Henry,_Ontario
http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=7869
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1221
RK
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I appreciate everyone's response to my question regarding British soldiers in Canada. I guess my Canadian history is lacking and I should rectify that. Your responses have been very helpful.
Thank you
Jean Cochrane
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If you have his military file, you should also have his rank and the regiment that he was with in the Royal Artillery. If you post the regiment, you may get even more responses.
Have you looked at family search for the birth registrations for the children born in Quebec.
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David bapt 1848 at St Andrew's Presbyterian in Quebec City, son of David Cochrane Company Serjeant in the Royal Artillery. Can't find Henrietta.
Cheers,
China
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I have David Cochrane's military history indicating the number of years he was in Canada and his regiment and rank when he was in the Crimean War. I also have the batpism record for son David Cochrane born in Quebec in 1848. For Henrietta and Jane I have only information from the England Census indicating where they were born.
I thank everyone for your responses which has helped me to understand why David was in Canada during this time.
Jean Cochrane