United Kingdom. A General Service Medal with Fort Detroit Clasp to Pte. John Smelsor, 1812

Military General Service Medal, in silver, naming has been period engraved as J. SMELSER, while CANADN MILITIA. is officially impressed, worn on original ribbon with FORT DETROIT clasp, dark patina small edge bruises, in very fine condition.

Footnote: The War of 1812 occurred over a two-year period between the United States and Great Britain. The origins of this war were largely due to shipping restrictions sparked by the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. The battles took place in Upper Canada, Lower Canada, on the Great Lakes and the Atlantic, and in the United States.

In 1807, tensions exploded with a Maritime confrontation between the USS Chesapeake and the HMS Leopard. This may have been resolved with diplomacy, but instead war broke out. The Americans were motivated by Anglophobia, nationalism and the sentiment that Canada would be an easy territorial gain. War was a form of retaliation against Britain for the economic distress and what was interpreted as British support of the First Nations in resisting American expansion into the West. On June 18 1812, President Madison declared war against Great Britain.

Unbeknownst to the Americans, Upper Canada was better prepared than the Americans expected, largely because of the preparation of Major General Sir Isaac Brock, administrator of Upper Canada. These preparations included reinforcing fortifications, training militia units, and developing alliances with the First Nations.

On July 17, the British went on the offensive, capturing a key American post at Michilimackinac Island without any bloodshed. Meanwhile, an American force led by General William Hull had crossed from Detroit into Canada. When Brock marched men from York to face the invasion, they discovered the Americans had already withdrawn back to Detroit. Brock, backed by the great Shawnee chief Tecumseh, demanded that Hull surrender Detroit. The summons was rejected, and the British battery opened fire on the American fort. Roughly 530 First Nations warriors went across the river at night, and the British followed with 300 regulars, 30 Royal Artillery, 400 militia and 70 Grand River Iroquois in the daytime. On August 16, the forces marched up the road. A white flag appeared at 10am, but the American loss was still considerable: roughly 2188 men, 39 guns, a great deal of shot, flint, powder and supplies along with an unfinished ship later named Detroit. For the loss, General Hull was court martialled and condemned to death, although the sentence was commuted.

The war raged on, with other notable battles taking place at Queenston Heights, Crysler’s Farm, and Lundy Lane. Ultimately, the war was concluded with the Treaty of Ghent which was signed on Christmas Eve on 1814.

The 1812 Medal Roll identifies Private John Smilzer in the York Militia receiving the General Service Medal during the War of 1812. LAC records can be found in Volume 1202, Page 8, Microfilm Reel C-3519, Reference RG8, Item Number: 30136.