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It’s a Long Way to Upper Canada

Some travelled to Kingston by boat. The rest of the de Watteville Regiment marched 290 kilometres along the crude roads linking Upper and Lower Canada. They were hot, sweaty, and tired when they arrived at Kingston. Kingston was to be the main base of operations for the remainder of the war.

 

In a vintage coloured lithograph, at left, a Union Jack flies from a tower, overlooking Kingston, Ontario harbour. A redcoated soldier stands guard while people promenade beside the shore wall. Two dogs play with two children in the foreground. At the bottom is printed: Kingston from Fort Henry. Respectfully dedicated to his patrons, Sir Peregrine Maitland, Lt. Governor and the Gentlemen of Upper Canada by their obedient servt, James Gray. London, Published by Willett and Blanford, Bouverie Street Fleet Street Dec 7th 1828.

Kingston from Fort Henry, 1828. Aquatint. Joshua Gleadh/James Gray, published by Willett and Blanford, 1828. Digital Archive of the Toronto Public Library.

 

They were desperately needed as they would significantly increase the strength of British forces in Canada. In 1813, the de Watteville regiment represented more than 11% of the 12,060 British soldiers stationed in Canada. The Grand Duchy Lithuanians represented nearly 1% of whole British force.

The de Watteville regiment faced some challenges. Any new recruits had to come from the Foreign Depot at Lymington, England. The soldiers received new clothing only once a year and winter was coming. Fortunately, for the de Wattevilles, new clothing arrived well before the snow fell. However, the hapless soldiers discovered that it did not fit. Lithuanians were taller than the average British soldier. Their trousers were too short!

 

Colour photograph of a pink house on a curved road with a brick fence

Headquarters of the de Watteville regiment, Foreign Depot, Lymington, England. Alistair Nicholls.

 

Challenging though these matters were, nothing could compare to what the regiment would face on the battlefield.

The de Watteville Regiment Arrives in North America Loss of Flank Companies