The British Garrison in London
Text from the plaque
In one of several concentrations of British troops in Upper Canada various infantry and artillery units were stationed on a military reserve here during the mid-19th century. The garrison, which contributed significantly to the economic growth of London, was first established in 1839 to guard against border raids following the Rebellion of 1837. Although its troops were withdrawn in 1853 to serve in the Crimean War, and military duties were assumed by pensioners, it was re-occupied by British regulars in 1862 when the American Civil War posed a threat to the province. To help repulse an expected invasion of Fenians, militant Irish sympathizers, the garrison remained active until 1868. Six years later, this part of the old military reserve was set aside as Victoria Park.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Middlesex
The City of London
In the middle of Victoria Park towards the north side
N 42 59.398 W 81 14.969
Recorded June 2005. Check current access before visiting.
Visitors' notes
January 8, 2016
My Great-Great Grandfather Thomas Corkill (1812-1873), born in the Isle of Man, was a member of the British 14th Regiment of Foot that was stationed here in 1850. The regiment had been in Barbados. They traveled from the Caribbean to Montreal where they traveled by small boats down the St. Lawrence River, the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal to Kingston and then by boat to London. He stayed in London when the regiment left for the Crimea eventually settling in Kingston as a military tailor, a trade he had learned in the army. David Corkill Toronto