Occasionally I receive requests for information such as the one below. I thought that I would outline how I would go about researching a military ancestor, or for that matter a military unit. I am a historian with a strong interest in genealogy, not the other way around, so my methods might well be a little different that that used by others.
“As I have been researching my great grandfather Vernon Graham I came across your site. He was in the Oxford Rifles abt 1865-66 and I think must have been part of the Fenian Raids. Could you please direct me as to where I would go to get records.? He is also listed as to being in the Woodstock Volunteer Rifles under Col Light. Your help would be much appreciated”
Oxford County volunteer militias date back to 1798. The Oxford Rifles were organized on 14 August 1863 by amalgamating the existing independent militia companies. The regiment did serve in the Niagara during the Fenian Raids, but arrived too late to participate in the Battle of Ridgeway.
I suspect from the little information I have that Vernon Graham was from Woodstock (I have been proven wrong before; however, most of the companies of any militia regiment are based on other towns or villages in the county). The first place that I would go to is the 1861 Canada Census to verify that Woodstock was indeed his home city. Here Ancestry.com is useful if you have access to the Library edition as it is free to use. If not the local library should have microfilm copies of the Canada Census’s.
The next step is to find copies of the pay books of the Oxford Rifles. For this period there is no equivalent of the World War One battalion diaries. Here a visit to the Woodstock City Museum might well pay off. They should have a copy of “Pay list of Oxford Rifles Militia 1865-1868: & record of officers 1907-1927”, Ontario Genealogical Society, Oxford County Branch, 1980. If you have no luck here then Library and Archives Canada have microfilmed “Nominal Rolls and paylists for the Volunteer Militia-22nd. Regiment, Oxford rifles”, Microfilm reel T-16577. I have not yet seen this microfilm so I can not attest as to what information is there. In any paylists the most you can expect is a list of names with pay and signatures. However, those who were involved in the Fenian Raids will be listed in a separate paylist. If you find his name and signature you can positively say that he was there.
Library and Archives Canada’s online medal registry rolls is a hit and miss affair for this period. The Fenian Raid medal was issued over 30 years after the event, and only sent if the veteran requested it. But you might get lucky !
Local newspapers are not online; however, most (if they survived) are on microfilm. The University of Western Ontario holds a wonderful collection of microfilmed newspapers. I have found that local libraries tend to have copies of the microfilms of their own local papers in house. The wonderful thing about the papers of that era is their rather gossipy way of listing every soldier who participated in any event in their community.
There have been some previous writing on the Oxford Rifles. Philip MacQuarrie, “For God and home: a history of the Oxford Rifles 1798-1954”, Woodstock Museum 1998. Herbert Miles, “A story of the Oxford Rifles, 1798-1954”, Oxford Museum 1974.One would assume that these booklets are in the Oxford Museum.
Showing posts with label oxford rifles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oxford rifles. Show all posts
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A 1940 Interview With George William Poldon
“The London Free Press”, March 2, 1940 interview of George William Poldon (1) who the interviewer claimed was the last surviving veteran of the Oxford Rifles during the Fenian Raids. As far as I know he may well have been the last surviving veteran of the Fenian Raids left in Ontario by 1940.
“I joined the 22nd. Battalion as a lad of 18,” he recalled with a reminiscent smile. Capt. J.W. Nesbitt’s Rifle Company No.6, of which I was a member, was really formed in the fall of 1865, but the men did not obtain their uniforms and equipment until May 24, the following year.
The call came on June 1 and we were rushed to Woodstock in whatever vehicles were available and then loaded on a train of box cars. We were just tumbled in like sheep,” Mr. Poldon laughed. We were taken as far as Paris and spent the night there.”
The next lap of the journey was in Port Colbourne, where the men remained overnight. Accommodations were poor, many of the soldiers lacking overcoats and blankets, and the food being far from appetising, he related.
“By the time we reached the battlefield, the Fenians had fled and taken shelter on a scow anchored out on the river, off Fort Erie. The boys would have liked to indulge in a little rifle practice in their direction but that was forbidden, continued the veteran with amusement.”
“Within a few days, the battalion went to London and after two weeks there we came back to Norwich and received a royal welcome, he said.”
_____________________________________
(1) George William Poldon born 11 February, 1848 in the village of Norwich, Oxford County, Upper Canada, and died sometime after January, 1940. He married Isabella Haight ( 1854 - 6 January, 1891) on the 12 October, 1881.(2)
(2) Ancestry.com Ontario Marriages, 1801-1828.
“I joined the 22nd. Battalion as a lad of 18,” he recalled with a reminiscent smile. Capt. J.W. Nesbitt’s Rifle Company No.6, of which I was a member, was really formed in the fall of 1865, but the men did not obtain their uniforms and equipment until May 24, the following year.
The call came on June 1 and we were rushed to Woodstock in whatever vehicles were available and then loaded on a train of box cars. We were just tumbled in like sheep,” Mr. Poldon laughed. We were taken as far as Paris and spent the night there.”
The next lap of the journey was in Port Colbourne, where the men remained overnight. Accommodations were poor, many of the soldiers lacking overcoats and blankets, and the food being far from appetising, he related.
“By the time we reached the battlefield, the Fenians had fled and taken shelter on a scow anchored out on the river, off Fort Erie. The boys would have liked to indulge in a little rifle practice in their direction but that was forbidden, continued the veteran with amusement.”
“Within a few days, the battalion went to London and after two weeks there we came back to Norwich and received a royal welcome, he said.”
_____________________________________
(1) George William Poldon born 11 February, 1848 in the village of Norwich, Oxford County, Upper Canada, and died sometime after January, 1940. He married Isabella Haight ( 1854 - 6 January, 1891) on the 12 October, 1881.(2)
(2) Ancestry.com Ontario Marriages, 1801-1828.
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Oxford Rifles to 1902
A company of Oxford Militia was active during the War of 1812. At that time Oxford County was part of York County. As such, the Oxford companies served with the York Militia. To find names it is to the York militia nominal rolls you must go.
I found an interesting reference to a skirmish involving an Oxford company that occured after the Battle of Moraviantown in 1813. (1) From the description, I suspect, but can not prove that the skirmish occured at what we call today “Snake Hill”. Snake Hill is located within modern London. It appears that the American troops looked at the steepness of the hill, the trees, the rocks, the muskets pointed at them, and said: “Nuts to this”, and left. They must have been veterans.
The Oxford Rifles proper were organized by a general order issued August 1, 1863. Their first Commanding Officer was Lt. Colonel W.S. Light with headquarters in Woodstock, Ontario.
No.1 Company officered by Captain Hugh Richardson based in Woodstock organized May 8, 1855.
No.2. Company officered by Captain Isaac Wallace based in Embro organized 22 Jan. 1862. Apparently this was a highland company. Which is not surprising considering the Embro area was largely settled by Scots. No mention of a kilt though.
No..3 Company officered by Captain George Grey based in Beachville organized Dec. 28, 1862.
No.4 Company officered by Captain Louis Cole based in Wolverton organized Jan. 16, 1863.
No. 5 Company officered by Captain John Henderson based in North Oxford organized Jan. 23, 1863.
No. 6 Company officered by Captain Thomas Coulter based in Princeton organized Jan. 23, 1863.
When Lt. Colonel Light died in 1864 the regiment was taken over by Hugh Richardson (more in the next post about Lt. Colonel Richardson as he become quite well known in the 1880’s). The Oxford Rifles were called to serve during the Fenian Raids. They were sent to the Niagara region in June, 1866 - but arrived late. So they were not a part of the engagement at Ridgeway.
The uniform was a big concern for all militia regiments. After all one must look the part. It seems that the decision was to mimic the uniform worn by British rifle regiments. The photo of Hugh Richardson gives you an idea of what it looked like. In a letter from Prentice, Moat & Co., military outfitters from Montreal, to Lt. Colonel Richardson:
“We have forwarded to Toronto suit of the Uniform just imported by the Montreal Rifle Regiment and have requested them to be forwarded to you for inspection. Please be careful as they belong to the Regiment and are only loaned.”(2)
There remained two independent companies in Ingersoll and Thamesford. The reason, it appears, is that when they saw the dark green uniforms they decided that they would rather keep their smart red jerseys. Thank you very much !
The Oxford Rifles sent the following volunteers to the South African War. I have added what I could to each name: however, the database “Soldiers of the South African War” will only give you an index to the service files and medal rolls. Where there is more I have added it.
James Murray Ross
His service files are at Library and Archives Canada.
J. Smith
There is a J. Smith in the Library and Archives database; but no way to tell if it is indeed our man without requesting a copy of the files. I looked at the First World War database. Do you know how many J. Smith’s there are? Yikes !
A. Edwards
Same problem except here. There is only a medals register.
George William Leonard #7208
Died at Sand River, South Africa, while with the Royal Canadian Regiment.
Service files in Library and Archives Canada. Also included in the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.
H. Lane
He might be Harry Goldney Lane from the service files.
A. Marshall
More research needed here.
Victor Wentworth Oldlum
Fought with the Royal Canadian Regiment in South Africa. During the First World War he rose to the rank of Brigadier General. Known to his troops as “Old Lime Juice”. I mentioned him in an earlier post.
H.R. Wilson
No information.
M. Davidson
There is a nominal roll for a M. Davidson who served with the South African Constabulary. Apparently he died of enteric fever in 1902. (3)
G. Campbell
Apparently served with the First Contingent (4), and there is a medal roll for a G. Campbell but little else. For me Campbell rates right up there with Smith - lots of luck !
(1)History of the County of Middlesex, Canada, 1889. Reprinted in 1972. Daniel Brock (ed.)
(2) Hubert Moore, “A Story of the Oxford Rifles 1798-1954:, Oxford Museum Bulletin No.5, 1974.
(3) Ibid.
(4) Ibid.
I found an interesting reference to a skirmish involving an Oxford company that occured after the Battle of Moraviantown in 1813. (1) From the description, I suspect, but can not prove that the skirmish occured at what we call today “Snake Hill”. Snake Hill is located within modern London. It appears that the American troops looked at the steepness of the hill, the trees, the rocks, the muskets pointed at them, and said: “Nuts to this”, and left. They must have been veterans.
The Oxford Rifles proper were organized by a general order issued August 1, 1863. Their first Commanding Officer was Lt. Colonel W.S. Light with headquarters in Woodstock, Ontario.
No.1 Company officered by Captain Hugh Richardson based in Woodstock organized May 8, 1855.
 |
| Hugh Richarson from "A Story of the Oxford Rifles 1798-1954". |
No.2. Company officered by Captain Isaac Wallace based in Embro organized 22 Jan. 1862. Apparently this was a highland company. Which is not surprising considering the Embro area was largely settled by Scots. No mention of a kilt though.
No..3 Company officered by Captain George Grey based in Beachville organized Dec. 28, 1862.
No.4 Company officered by Captain Louis Cole based in Wolverton organized Jan. 16, 1863.
No. 5 Company officered by Captain John Henderson based in North Oxford organized Jan. 23, 1863.
No. 6 Company officered by Captain Thomas Coulter based in Princeton organized Jan. 23, 1863.
 |
| Sample of Nominal Roll for Oxford Rifles, Library and Archives Canada. |
The uniform was a big concern for all militia regiments. After all one must look the part. It seems that the decision was to mimic the uniform worn by British rifle regiments. The photo of Hugh Richardson gives you an idea of what it looked like. In a letter from Prentice, Moat & Co., military outfitters from Montreal, to Lt. Colonel Richardson:
“We have forwarded to Toronto suit of the Uniform just imported by the Montreal Rifle Regiment and have requested them to be forwarded to you for inspection. Please be careful as they belong to the Regiment and are only loaned.”(2)
There remained two independent companies in Ingersoll and Thamesford. The reason, it appears, is that when they saw the dark green uniforms they decided that they would rather keep their smart red jerseys. Thank you very much !
The Oxford Rifles sent the following volunteers to the South African War. I have added what I could to each name: however, the database “Soldiers of the South African War” will only give you an index to the service files and medal rolls. Where there is more I have added it.
James Murray Ross
His service files are at Library and Archives Canada.
J. Smith
There is a J. Smith in the Library and Archives database; but no way to tell if it is indeed our man without requesting a copy of the files. I looked at the First World War database. Do you know how many J. Smith’s there are? Yikes !
A. Edwards
Same problem except here. There is only a medals register.
George William Leonard #7208
Died at Sand River, South Africa, while with the Royal Canadian Regiment.
 |
| Memorial to Canada's war dead in South Africa. Canadian Virtual War Memorial. |
H. Lane
He might be Harry Goldney Lane from the service files.
A. Marshall
More research needed here.
Victor Wentworth Oldlum
Fought with the Royal Canadian Regiment in South Africa. During the First World War he rose to the rank of Brigadier General. Known to his troops as “Old Lime Juice”. I mentioned him in an earlier post.
H.R. Wilson
No information.
M. Davidson
There is a nominal roll for a M. Davidson who served with the South African Constabulary. Apparently he died of enteric fever in 1902. (3)
G. Campbell
Apparently served with the First Contingent (4), and there is a medal roll for a G. Campbell but little else. For me Campbell rates right up there with Smith - lots of luck !
(1)History of the County of Middlesex, Canada, 1889. Reprinted in 1972. Daniel Brock (ed.)
(2) Hubert Moore, “A Story of the Oxford Rifles 1798-1954:, Oxford Museum Bulletin No.5, 1974.
(3) Ibid.
(4) Ibid.
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