Fenian Raids & Medals

The Organization and the Raids

It is believed that the terms "Fenian" and "Fenianism" originate in the Gaelic term "Na Fianna", for these were the ancient Knights who protected the High King in much the same way as the Knights of Camelot protected King Arthur.  When Ireland was struggling to free herself from British rule during the mid-late 1850's, the North American Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), soon to be known simply as "Fenians", joined the fight for Ireland's freedom with a plan in mind.  Led by John O'Mahony, himself a veteran of the 1848 Irish insurrection in which he was injured, captured by the British, and exiled, the North American IRB undertook a mission to attack North American colonies and, some say, hold Canada hostage.  The idea behind the plan was that Britain would be forced to come to the aid of North America, thus depleting their forces in Ireland.  In theory, this would allow Ireland to overtake British forces at home and subsequently assume control over her own affairs.  The plan was, apparently, well received and the North American IRB's membership soon included thousands of Irish Brigade, Union and Confederate army veterans in its ranks.

The plan worked insomuch as British forces were, as expected, dispatched to aid in putting down the North American insurrection, though the Fenian's were frequently pushed back during skirmishes with the British.  In all, there were seven significant Battles in the campaign:  Ridgeway (6/2/1866), Pigeon's Hill (6/7/1866), Fenian Raid 1866, Eccles Hill (5/25/1870), Holbrooks Corners, Fenian Raid 1870, and Red River.  An excellent timeline of Fenian events as well as other information pertaining to the group and their activities can be found at http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~col/fenian/timeline.html.  The Fenian movement fell apart in the 1870's in the wake of its failure to achieve their goal of drawing enough British troops away from Ireland to allow a coup there.

According to the Fenian Research Group, the failure of the plan did not change the Fenian movement's impact on history:  "Although the raids failed in ending British rule in North America they did have serious historical consequences. Canadian nationalism was promoted by the raids. Fear of American invasions united the seperate provinces in common defense and a few months after the raids in 1866 the provinces unified under the British North America Act of 1867, also known as Confederation. The American Fenian movement also pushed and encouraged their counterparts in Ireland, the Irish Revolutionary Brotherhood, though Fenianism died out in the United States after the failed invasions by John O'Neil in the early 1870s. Speculation suggests that the Fenian raids are responsible for the creation of Canada as a country, however it is certain that the stirrings of confederation can be traced back to the time of the Fenian raids."

Awards to Soldiers Who Participated in Suppression of the Fenians 

The Canadian General Service medal was awarded to members of the Imperial and Canadian forces who had taken part in the suppression of the Fenian raids and Riels' first rebellion, the latter being generally referred to as the Red River expedition.

Because the medal was not issued until 1899, it was awarded only if applied for and the recipient must have either: been on active service in the field OR served as a guard at any point where an attack from the enemy was expected OR been detailed for some specific service or duty.

The circular, silver medal measured 1.42 inches in diameter.  One side shows a diademed and veiled effigy of Queen Victoria wearing the Order of the Garter, facing left, and the legend VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX.  The other bears the red ensign of Canada, floating with the breeze, surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves and surmounted by the word CANADA.  The ribbon itself is 1.25 inches wide and consists of three equal stripes: red, white, and red and a plain, straight, swivelling suspender is attached to the medal with a double-toe claw.  The medal was authorized in January 1899, twenty-nine years after the last event it commemorated, and prior to issuance, the recipient's name, service number, rank, and unit were indented, impressed or engraved on the rim.  There were 16,668 of the medals awarded, always with bars. Of these, 15,300 were awarded to Canadian units.

In addition to the medals, the Canadian Government offered land grants to qualifying Militia personnel who served in the Fenian Raids. Veterans had to apply giving details of where and when served and present address where to be contacted.

There are no known service files existing for those who served in this conflict. Pay records are available for all Militia Units as well as men sent to border points

Cairns Recipients of The Canadian General Service Medal
(also known as "Fenian's Medal")

 

Bibliography & Source Information

Fenian Raids Historical Overview, By Lorine McGinnis Schulze at http://www.rootsweb.com/~canmil/fenian/fenview.htm

THE FENIAN RAIDS - 1841-1871  on Canadian War Museum website at    http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/chrono/1774fenian_e.html

The Fenian Raid(s) of Upper and Lower Canada on Doyle Home Page at  http://www.doyle.com.au/fenian_raids.htm

Fenian Raids scrapbook  from TRENT UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES website, Fonds Level Description, Fenian Raids (1866)  at   http://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/70-1000.htm

Canadian General Service Medal image and information is from Veterans Affairs Canada website at http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=collections/cmdp/mainmenu/group03/cgsm

 

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