The Fort York Guard is an historical animation unit based at
Fort York
Fort York is an early 19th-century military fortification in the Fort York neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The fort housed members of the British and Canadian militaries and defended the entrance to Toronto Harbour. The fort featu ...
in downtown Toronto. The Guard recreates the
Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry, stationed at the fort in 1815.
Several versions of the Guard have existed since it was first created in 1934. The current Fort York Guard is employed by the non-profit organization The Friends of Fort York, and primarily consists of high school and university students from the Greater Toronto Area. The Guard performs in daily music, musket and artillery demonstrations during the summer months.
The Guard operated through the COVID-19 pandemic but was suspended by the City of Toronto in 2022, reportedly in the belief that living history displays perpetuated colonialism, and has not yet been reinstated.
Organization
The Fort York Guard represents the
Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry, stationed at the fort between February and June 1815, immediately after the
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was fought by the United States and its allies against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom and its allies in North America. It began when the United States United States declaration of war on the Uni ...
. Part of the Guard portrays the regiment's Fife and Drum Corps, playing period military music, while the remainder, forming the Squad, represent the rank-and-file of Captain Edward Cartwright's No. 2 (Grenadier) Company. A strong contingent of younger students between the ages of 11 and 16 participate in the Fife and Drums Corps' volunteer program throughout the summer.
The Drums Corps is led by a
Drum Major and a Bugle Major, while the Squad is commanded by a Sergeant and Corporal.
Events and programming
The Guard is active daily at the fort throughout July and August, and has performed at numerous events throughout the year across the city and beyond. Their largest events of the summer at Fort York are held on Canada Day and Simcoe Day, the Toronto civic holiday on the first Monday in August.
The Guard annually attends the Fort George Fife and Drum Muster and Soldiers' Field Day in
Niagara on the Lake, and frequently emerges as champion of the Drill Competition held between the staff of Ontario's War of 1812 forts.
The Fort York Guard, schedule permitting, also often marches in the
Canadian National Exhibition
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), also known as The Exhibition or The Ex, is an annual fair that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on the third Friday of August leading up to and including Labour Day (Canada), ...
's Warriors' Day Parade.
See also
*
Fort Henry Guard
The Fort Henry Guard (FHG) is a historical heritage interpretation, interpretation and exhibition drill organization based at Fort Henry, Ontario, Fort Henry, a National Historic Site of Canada, national historic site in Kingston, Ontario, Kingsto ...
External links
Fort York GuardInterview with Fort York Guard Member
References
{{Reflist
History of Toronto
Canadian ceremonial units
Guards regiments
1934 establishments in Ontario
Military units and formations established in 1934