Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, Hero of Upper Canada
Brockville, Ontario, located not too far from the United States border, was named in his honour. This town would have been part of Upper Canada at the time of the War of 1812. Brock University also carries his name.
Major-General Sir Isaac Brock was a member of the British Army, stationed in Canada in the early 1800s. With the arrival of war in 1812, he initiated an aggressive campaign to defend Upper Canada, even though his superiors had advised him to remain on the defensive.
His most courageous exploit occurred on August 16, 1812, when he led a force of Army regulars and First Nations warriors in the successful capture of Detroit by creating the illusion that he had a much larger force than he actually did. This would not have been possible without the help of Tecumseh and his warriors. After Detroit, Brock continued to reinforce Upper Canada in preparation for an American assault on the Niagara frontier. The first major American attack occurred at Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812.
During an attempt to rally his troops and charge up the Heights, he was singled out by an American marksman and killed instantly. However, his early efforts in the Battle were not in vain. British forces, Canadian militia, and First Nations warriors then rallied and drove back the Americans. They forced them to surrender and helped ensure the preservation of Upper Canada.
Even though Brock was killed only four months after the declaration of the War of 1812, he is one of the soldiers most commonly associated with the War of 1812. The triumph of the British during the Battle of Queenston Heights did a great deal to boost morale in Upper Canada.
Here are some of the ways that his historic efforts are being remembered:
- A Sir Isaac Brock bust was installed in 2006 at the Valiants Memorial, located in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. To learn more about the memorial, listen to these audio clips.
- Canada Post issued a Sir Isaac Brock 6 cent stamp in September, 1969.
- Canada Post issued stamps in 2012 illustrating Tecumseh and Major-General Isaac Brock, War of 1812 allies.
- Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, also carries his name.
- Brock's Monument commemorating Major General Sir Isaac Brock was erected in 1853 on the site of the 1812 Battle of Queenston Heights.
Want to know more? Here are some useful links:
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