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Red background with two war medals in the top right and bottom left corner and  text that reads "The Fenian Raids & the Boer War". In the bottom right hand corner is the "Lambton at War" wordmark.

The Fenian Raids and the Boer War

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The Fenian Raids, 1866 to 1871

The Fenian Brotherhood, composed of Irish-Americans, sought to achieve Irish independence from Britain. The Fenians aimed to put pressure on Britain by raiding the colony of Canada from 1866 to 1871. Due to this threat, Lambton responded by quartering troops sent to defend the border and our militias combined to establish the first permanent military unit in the County – the 27th Lambton Battalion of Infantry.

Although there was never a raid on Lambton soil, families lived under the constant threat of American invasion. The Fenian Raids helped to unite a divided nation under the concept of Confederation in 1867, and led men and women in Lambton to consider what it meant to be uniquely Canadian.

Fenian Raid Artifacts in the Museum Collection

The Boer War, 1899 to 1902

Less than three decades later, Britain put pressure on the colonies within their global empire to support their expansionist claims and economic interests in South Africa. Canada responded by sending over 7,000 volunteers overseas to support the British Empire during the Boer War of 1899 to 1902. This conflict was the first instance of a young Canada sending military troops abroad.

From Lambton, 16 men volunteered to serve overseas. They were supported financially by their fellow citizens and their employers who guaranteed their jobs upon their return home. Instead of the quick victory envisioned, the conflict dragged on for years and sickness spread. One Sarnia soldier, Daniel Crone, was among dozens of Canadian soldiers who died not of war wounds, but of disease in camp.

The beginning of a new century saw the start of modern conflict, with guerilla fighting, scorched earth policies, and concentration camps. However, the people of Lambton responded when Canada was called upon to fight on the world stage. Our support of the British Empire would be needed less than a generation later as conflict loomed in Europe.

 Boer War Artifacts in the Museum Collection

Stories

George McLean of Township

“My third great grandfather, George McLean (1839-1872) of , was a colour sergeant with the 27th Battalion of Lambton and served during the Fenian Raids. I am privileged to have the musket he carried at this time. It has been passed down through the generations from oldest son to oldest son.”

 

~ Story told by David McLean of Forest, Ontario, George's great-great-great grandson.

George Stewart of Courtright

Photo of George Stewart, linkGeorge Stewart was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Dominion forces.  He was a resident of Courtright and also owned about 700 acres of land in Moore Township.  His military career began during the Fenian Raids in 1866, when he raised a troop of cavalry of 70 men, stationed in Mooretown.

The Fenian Brotherhood, composed of Irish-Americans, sought to achieve Irish independence from Britain. The group aimed to put pressure on Britain by raiding the colony of Canada West from 1866 to 1871.

When George was retired from service in 1894, he was given the title of Lieutenant-Colonel by the Canadian government. 

Learn more about George Stewart from an excerpt from the Lambton Commemorative Biographical Record.

 

~ Story told by Alice Gibbs of London, Ontario, a distant relative of George.

 

 

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