Niagara

War of 1812

Date

19 December 1813 – September 1814

Geographical parameters

Niagara frontier, Upper Canada

Context

1. A 19th Century British Army-awarded battle honour, one of five allocated for the land campaigns of the War of 1812; and
2. A 21st Century Government of Canada battle honour, forming part of the awards in commemoration of the War of 1812.^{Footnote 1}

Description

The Niagara frontier was a scene of numerous battles during the War of 1812, from the autumn of 1812 through the autumn of 1814. Following the American defeat at Queenston in October 1812 the next attempt at invasion occurred at Fort George in May 1813 when the Americans succeeded in taking that fortification. However, the British victory at Stoney Creek in June 1813 began a series of steps in the recovery of the British position in the Niagara district, including the victory at Beaver Dams, the reoccupation of Fort George, and the capture of Fort Niagara on 19 December 1813 on the American side of the Niagara River. In the summer of 1814 American forces pushed across the Niagara River once again and captured Fort Erie. Another American victory at the Battle of Chippawa was followed by the withdrawal of most British forces to Fort George to regroup and resupply. Subsequent manoeuvres brought British, Canadian, aboriginal and American forces into contact at Lundy’s Lane. That battle was fought in the afternoon and evening of 25 July and, after several hours of difficult fighting, the exhausted combatants each pulled back, the Americans eventually making their way back to Fort Erie which they defended against subsequent British assaults.^{Footnote 2}

Awarded to:

Currently serving units^{Footnote 3}

• 56th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
  Awards to the 1st and 2nd Regiments of Norfolk Militia (1812-15) and the Provincial Royal Artillery Drivers (The Car Brigade)
• The Brockville Rifles
  Award to the Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada
• The Essex and Kent Scottish
  Awards to the 1st and 2nd Regiments of Essex Militia (1812-15), The Loyal Kent Volunteers (Kent Rangers), and The Western Rangers (Caldwell’s Rangers)
• The Lincoln and Welland Regiment
  Awards to the Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada, and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Regiments of Lincoln Militia (1812-15)
• The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment
  Direct award to commemorate the service of the New Brunswick Fencible Infantry (104th Regiment of Foot)
• The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment
  Award to the Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada
• The Queen’s York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC)
  Award to the Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada
• The Royal Canadian Regiment
  Award to the 1st Regiment of Middlesex Militia (1812-15)
• The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)
  Award to the 2nd Regiment of York Militia (1812-15)
• The Royal New Brunswick Regiment
  Direct award to commemorate the service of the New Brunswick Fencible Infantry (104th Regiment of Foot)
• Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
  Direct award to commemorate the service of the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles

Disbanded units

• Niagara Provincial Light Dragoons (Niagara Frontier Guides)