Canada General Service Medal
Belatedly instituted in 1899 - nearly thirty years after the uprisings, this medal was awarded retrospectively by the Canadian government to British & Canadian forces
employed in the suppression of the 1866 and 1870 rebellions. Three clasps were authorised: FENIAN RAID 1866, FENIAN RAID 1870 and RED RIVER 1870 (scarce).
This rather obscure conflict came about due to an Irish revolutionary group - the Fenians, trying to invade Canada from the US using large numbers of mercenaries, many of whom were veterans of the recently ended American Civil War. Their aim was to establish an Irish Free State and cause the British much embarrassment. They achieved minor success at the town of Ridgeway, when a unit of the Canadian Militia was defeated. This victory was short lived and when they retreated across the US border, many were arrested.
A second attempt again failed in 1870 and shortly after the territories of the Hudson Bay Company was absorbed in to the state of Manitoba on the expiry of the Company's charter. Many individuals resented this - including the self-styled 'General' Luis Riel, who seized the Company's treasury. An expedition was dispatched to quell the rebellion and 1100 miles later this was duly accomplished. Riel was imprisoned at Fort Garry, Winnipeg, but later escaped and subsequently became involved in the Bartoche uprising. He was hanged in 1885.
employed in the suppression of the 1866 and 1870 rebellions. Three clasps were authorised: FENIAN RAID 1866, FENIAN RAID 1870 and RED RIVER 1870 (scarce).
This rather obscure conflict came about due to an Irish revolutionary group - the Fenians, trying to invade Canada from the US using large numbers of mercenaries, many of whom were veterans of the recently ended American Civil War. Their aim was to establish an Irish Free State and cause the British much embarrassment. They achieved minor success at the town of Ridgeway, when a unit of the Canadian Militia was defeated. This victory was short lived and when they retreated across the US border, many were arrested.
A second attempt again failed in 1870 and shortly after the territories of the Hudson Bay Company was absorbed in to the state of Manitoba on the expiry of the Company's charter. Many individuals resented this - including the self-styled 'General' Luis Riel, who seized the Company's treasury. An expedition was dispatched to quell the rebellion and 1100 miles later this was duly accomplished. Riel was imprisoned at Fort Garry, Winnipeg, but later escaped and subsequently became involved in the Bartoche uprising. He was hanged in 1885.