By: Kristen Oelschlagel
The 2nd Sidney Scout Group hopes to stage a gunboat raid at the Belleville harbor for the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.
The Quinte area was not a battle ground during the war but Terry Honour, venturer advisor for the group, says the War of 1812 is a defining moment in Canadian history and it’s important for people to know about.
During the War of 1812, Canada was under the threat of being taken over by the Americans. Many battles were fought throughout what was known as Upper Canada, modern day Ontario, and Lower Canada, southern Quebec and the Labrador part of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We remained separate from them (the United States) and became our own country. I think it’s important that people understand the roots of how our country was formed,” said Honour.
The battle re-enactment will feature about 60 to 100 participants playing various roles in the naval raid on the Belleville harbour. Scouts will be coming from all over the scouting area, which goes from Napanee to Colborne and up to Whitney, to participate.
Oliver Smithrim, 13, a member of the 2nd Sidney Scout Group, is excited to be a part of the event.
“I think it’ll be cool. We get to dress up in British uniforms and march around Belleville,” he said.
Oliver said it is an important event to celebrate.
“It’s one of the most famous battles of Canadian history. Canada became its own country,” he said.
Jacob Hewitt, 14, and fellow scout, agrees.
“It was an important part of Canadian history,” he said.
All of the replica weapons and props, such as muskets, cannons, canteens and even some of the uniforms, have been made by members of the scout group. Honour said they are also building the gunboat from scratch in his yard and then breaking it down. They will reassemble it at the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club, where they will also be launching it.
The actual battle will be taking place not just at the harbour, but all along the waterfront at Victoria Park. Honour said the gunboat will approach the shore and open fire. Ground forces, which will be infantry and artillery, will assemble and start returning the fire. In addition to the naval battle, there will also be a ground battle. He said that their group will be representing the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in the re-enactment.
A light infantry first founded in 1795 to serve in the British Army, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment was significantly involved in the War of 1812.
Joel Kennedy, a venturer and scouter-in-training who has been with the group for six years, will be taking on the role of sergeant-major in the battle.
“It’s the founding moment Canada got its identity and really came together as a French-English nation. And it’s a great way to reach out to the community.”
According to Honour, that’s another reason for the re-enactment.
“It’s also a thank you to the citizens of Belleville for supporting the scout group. We’ve had a lot of support from local shops and businesses,” he said.
Council recently accepted a letter from the 2nd Sidney Scout Group asking for permission to hold the event and passed it over to various departments in the city. Honour said Parks and Recreation is the main organization they’re dealing with and they are fully supportive. He said that Parks and Rec told them they will need to get a permit and have it approved.
Should it get the go ahead, the re-enactment is scheduled to take place on June 9th at 1 p.m. and is free to the public.