War 1812 Bicentennial Pin

[edstorey]

This is the War 1812 Bicentennial Pin that is to be worn on the DEU uniform.

[servicepub]

Ugly as Hell and, as I am told, universally disliked. Further, we couldn't produce these in Canada?
This was DND's promise to recognize Canada's contribution to the War of 1812 in lieu of Battle Honours for units that perpetuate (in an informal sense) units raised in Canada at the time.
I am led to believe that the PM's office was unhappy and has forced DND to review the issue of Battle Honours. I expect an announcement in August.

[Bill A]

Truly, another example of short sightedness. A major Canadian anniversary commemorated by a lapel pin? Adds relevance to the old "Cracker Jacks" comments.

[Phillip Herring]

Don't get me started on this one...
If we can commemorate The War of 1812 with a pin on our uniforms, why didn't we get one for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham? They were both pre-Confederation.

Phil

[DavidS]

Originally Posted by Phillip Herring

Don't get me started on this one...
If we can commemorate The War of 1812 with a pin on our uniforms, why didn't we get one for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham? The were both pre-Confederation.

Phil

Technically, I'd argue that for the War of 1812, it involved Canadian militias, so there is some claim by whichever (if any) Canadian regiments trace roots to those militias, while the conquest of Quebec/Battle of the Plains of Abraham only involved British regulars and no Canadians outside the French forces.

[LONGSHANKS]

It's amazing that most American's I meet think they won the war of 1812.

Simon.

[Phillip Herring]

Originally Posted by DavidS

Technically, I'd argue that for the War of 1812, it involved Canadian militias, so there is some claim by whichever (if any) Canadian regiments trace roots to those militias, while the conquest of Quebec/Battle of the Plains of Abraham only involved British regulars and no Canadians outside the French forces.

In 1812 British North America was a cluster of different colonies, certainly not Canada as the nation we know today. As far as significance in the evolution of Canada from colonies to a country - 1759, 1812 - which is more important to Canada as we know it today?
As far as militia units go, I think 1855 is the cut off date for actual lineages.

Phil

[colin 17]

So how does the RCN claim to be senior service when they were raised in 1910? Are they special or is DND saying they claim RN lineage? colin

[edstorey]

In a nut shell, the RN was the senior service in the UK because it was a maritime nation, therefore because of our British ties when the Naval Service/RCN was formed, it became Canada's senior service.

[colin 17]

So why cant they use the same logic to award the battle honours then. A lot of the units do have ties to the units that fought in 1812.

[John L]

Originally Posted by LONGSHANKS

It's amazing that most American's I meet think they won the war of 1812.

Simon.

So Simon,

pray tell who won?
John

[edstorey]

I think everyone claims a victory except the Native North Americans. Since I live in Ontario and am not American, I firmly believe that Britain and the local Canadians won.

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by LONGSHANKS

It's amazing that most American's I meet think they won the war of 1812.

Simon.

Anyway for most Americans, the war of 1812 is limited to the Battle of New Orleans and for those more knowledgeable,there is the battle of Plattsburgh, the burning of Washington and the battle of Baltimore.

Jo

[edstorey]

Battle Honours and the Order of Precedence are two completely seperate things. One is a method of recognizing and honouring military accomplishments or key events such as battles and campaigns where as the other defines the order of seniority of the various arms and units of the military.

[Voltigeur]

British losses in the war were about 1,600 killed in action and 3,679 wounded; 3,321 British died from disease. American losses were 2,260 killed in action and 4,505 wounded. While the number of Americans who died from disease is not known, it is estimated that about 15,000 died from all causes directly related to the war. These figures do not include deaths among Canadian militia forces or losses among native tribes.

There have been no estimates of the cost of the American war to Britain, but it did add some £25 million to the national debt. In the U.S., the cost was $105 million, about the same as the cost to Britain. The national debt rose from $45 million in 1812 to $127 million by the end of 1815, although by selling bonds and treasury notes at deep discounts—and often for irredeemable paper money due to the suspension of specie payment in 1814—the government received only $34 million worth of specie.

In addition, at least 3,000 American slaves escaped to the British because of their offer of freedom, the same as they had made in the American Revolution. Many other slaves simply escaped in the chaos of war and achieved their freedom on their own. The British settled some of the newly freed slaves in Nova Scotia. Four hundred freedmen were settled in New Brunswick. The Americans protested that Britain's failure to return the slaves violated the Treaty of Ghent. After arbitration by the Tsar of Russia the British paid $1,204,960 in damages to Washington, which reimbursed the slaveowners.