The Middlesex Militia was a regiment of the provincial militia of

Upper Canada The Province of Upper Canada () was a Province, part of The Canadas, 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 Province of Queb ...

that was raised in

Middlesex County, Ontario Middlesex County is a primarily rural county and Census divisions of Canada, census division in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Landlocked, the county is bordered by Huron County, Ontario, Huron and Perth County, Ontario, Perth counties on the north ...

, 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 city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, 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 i ...

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 (February11, 1847October18, 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 inventions, ...

) *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 A siege () . is a military blockade of a city, or fortress, with the intent of conquering by attrition, or by well-prepared assault. Siege warfare (also called siegecrafts or poliorcetics) is a form of constant, low-intensity conflict characte ...

including Ensign Benjamin Wilson who was awarded the

Military General Service Medal __NOTOC__ The Military General Service Medal (MGSM) was a campaign medal approved in 1847 and issued to officers and men of the British Army in 1848.Including officers and men of the King's German Legion, Brunswick Oels and Chasseurs Britanniqu ...

. Detachments from the ''1st Flank Company'' and the ''1st Battalion Company'' fought at the Skirmish at McCrae's House 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 or contemporarily as the Battle of Bridgewater, was fought on 25 July 1814, during the War of 1812, between an invading American army and a British and Canadian army near present-d ...

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 mounted troops overran and scattered a force of Canadian militia. The battle was fought on November 6, 1814, near the village of Oa ...

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 b ...

*3rd Middlesex Regiment - commanded by Lieut. Col. John Bostwick, 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 John Rolph (4 March 1793 – 19 October 1870) was a Canadian physician, lawyer, and political figure. As a politician, he was considered the leader of the Reform faction in the 1820s and helped plan the Upper Canada Rebellion. As a doctor, h ...

*''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 Dunwich () is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, England. It is in the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape around north-east of London, south of Southwold and north of Leiston, on the North Sea coast. In the Anglo-Saxon ...

Southwold Southwold is a seaside town and civil parish on the North Sea, in the East Suffolk District, East Suffolk district, in the county of Suffolk, England. It lies at the mouth of the River Blyth, Suffolk, River Blyth in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths ...

and Aldborough) Regiment - Col. T. Talbot *2nd Middlesex (

Malahide Malahide ( ; ) is an affluent coastal settlement in Fingal, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland, situated north of Dublin city. It has a village centre surrounded by suburban housing estates, with a population of 18,608 as per the 2022 ...

and Bayham) Regiment - Col. M. Burwell *3rd Middlesex ( Yarmouth,

Westminster Westminster is the main settlement of the City of Westminster in Central London, Central London, England. It extends from the River Thames to Oxford Street and has many famous landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, ...

, Dorchester and

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic states, South Atlantic regions of the United States. It borders Maryland to its south and west, Pennsylvania to its north, New Jersey ...

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

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

Caradoc Caradoc Vreichvras (; Modern , ) 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 names King Carados and C ...

, Ekfrid and Mosa) Regiment - Col. S. Craig *2nd Middlesex (

Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...

) 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. ...

occupied St Thomas and Sandwich. With the outbreak of the

Rebellions of 1837-1838 Rebellion is an uprising that resists and is organized against one's government. A rebel is a person who engages in a rebellion. A rebel group is a consciously coordinated group that seeks to gain political control over an entire state or a ...

, 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 Charles Duncombe may refer to: * Charles Duncombe (English banker) (1648–1711), English banker, MP and Lord Mayor * Charles Duncombe, 1st Baron Feversham (1764–1841), English MP *Charles Duncombe (Upper Canada Rebellion) (1792–1867), American ...

. 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.

John Kinder Labatt John Kinder Labatt (1803 – 26 October 1866) was an Irish-Canadian brewer and the founder of the Labatt Brewing Company. Life and career He was born in Queen's County (now County Laois), Ireland, to Valentine Knightley Chetwode Labat (1761� ...

served as a Private in the 3rd Middlesex in 1837, stationed on guard at St. Thomas. 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 John Wilson may refer to: Academics * John Wilson (historian) (1799–1870), author of ''Our Israelitish Origin'' (1840), a founding text of British Israelism * John Wilson (agriculturalist) (1812–1888), British agriculturalist * John Matthias ...

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 Americ ...

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 a ...

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