Paul Chapman – Speaker

Topic “Decoration Day a Precursor of – Remembrance Day  – A Remembrance of the Fenian Raids

Tim Kaye introduced speaker Paul Chapman, a  graduate from Brock and from the University of Waterloo.  Paul, a former urban planner with the city of St. Catharines, talked about the history of Remembrance Day and offered a tribute to the Fenian Raids.

Paul said that Decoration Day was first celebrated on June 2, 1890, as a form of protest by veterans of the Fenian Raids over the lack of recognition. November 11 was recognized as Armistice Day in1919 to mark the armistice ending the First World War. Armistice Day was officially recognized by an act of Parliament in 1931. In 1946, the name was changed to Remembrance Day to recognize those who died in any conflict.

Paul explained that the Fenians were Irish Catholics who wanted to free Ireland from British rule. Many of the Fenians were veterans of the American Civil War and their plan was to conquer Canada and trade it to England in exchange for home rule for Ireland. The Fenian forces began gathering in Buffalo in June of 1866 before crossing the Niagara River into Canada where they expected to be welcomed with open arms.

Canada was still not a country and when the 1500 Fenians landed in Fort Erie, they were well equipped. On the other hand, the Canadian militia, under the direction of Sir John A. Macdonald, was poorly trained and poorly equipped with duties being assigned based on social and political position. The Canadian forces were made up of two groups – regular British forces and militia troops from Toronto. When the militia arrived, the forces took heavy fire and casualties and retreated to Ridgeway. However, the Fenians also retreated back to Buffalo fearing that the border would be closed behind them.

Canadian press at the time and our history have characterized the battle as a victory for Canada. But, Paul noted there were positives for Canada as an inquiry into the conflict led to the push for a united Canada.

The Canadian veterans from this uprising began organizing in an effort to gain recognition for those who lost their lives. Paul said his great grandfather, Charles Chapman, was a key figure in this push for recognition and became known as the father of Decoration Day. The veterans were finally recognized with medals and later, the Province of Ontario issued land grants to the veterans.

Duncan McLaren thanked Paul for his interesting look at our history, especially noting the family connection.