during the War of 1812. Drake had joined the Royal Standard during the American Revolution and settled in Upper Canada after his discharge. “He was one of two United Empire Loyalists buried here, along with Private John Caughell,” says Vanessa. “We had to verify the credentials for these men through source materials, including muster rolls and petitions.” In addition to the Loyalist veterans, six other men from the War of 1812 were remembered, each contributing to the defence of Upper Canada during a tumultuous period in the region’s history. The veterans included: Major Henry Warren; Adjutant, James Nevills; Purser, Thomas Kains, and Privates John Caughell, Henry Mandeville, and Frederick Couse. Vanessa describes the difficulty in tracing their histories: “For 1812, it meant going through muster rolls of the Lincoln, Oxford, Kent, and Middlesex regiments—a painstaking job.”
www.stthomas.ca
Purser Thomas Kains stood out for his service during the Napoleonic Wars in the British Navy under Horatio Nelson. He later played a role in the War of 1812, participating in the burning of the White House in Washington, D.C. His remarkable career and connection to the War of 1812 were symbolically honoured during the ceremony, with a tribute from HMCS Prevost representing the Royal Canadian Navy. The event also highlighted the broader historical significance of the War of 1812 veterans, many of whom were not properly recognized after the war. As Vanessa explains, “The 1812 vets got short-changed. When the war ended, there were no parades, no ceremonies, no dedications—the militiamen went back to their farms and trades.” Although a medal was designed to honour the veterans, the outbreak of the 1837 Rebellion interrupted the plan, and many veterans never received their medals. “In 1876, the Dominion of Canada granted a $20 pension to the surviving veterans, but by then, many had died.” The ceremony also included a musket volley from the re-enactors, a tradition at such events. “We always have re-enactors at these ceremonies as a mark of respect,” Vanessa says, noting that she had been a part of over 30 similar ceremonies. “Customs of the day for those lost in battle would have warranted a musket volley.” In a gesture of community support, Geerlinks Home Hardware donated the garden stones and adhesive used to mount the granite plaques. This contribution was appreciated, as it added a tangible element of remembrance to the ceremony. For those men whose deeds were once potentially forgotten by history, the plaques now stand as permanent reminders of their service and sacrifice. The dedication of the Old St. Thomas Church cemetery as a UE Burial Ground, combined with the efforts of The Graveside Project, ensures that their legacy will live on for future generations.
"MAY THEIR REMEMBRANCE BE AS LASTING AS THE LAND THEY HONOURED" Daniel Webster
FIXED RIGHT. EVERY TIME. GUARANTEED. fixedright auto.com • 519-633-1633
Hometown St. Thomas • November 2023 • Page 15 Hometown St. Thomas • November 2024 • Page 15
Get involved! Like us on Facebook!
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs