Instituted in 1899. 1 Clasp - RED RIVER 1870 (Pte. J. A. Kerr, Ont. R.). Naming is officially impressed. In silver, engraver marked "T.B." (Sir Thomas Brock) on the obverse, measuring 36.2 mm in diameter. Dark patina, edge nicks, light contact, original ribbon, better than very fine.
Footnote: The Canada General Service Medal was instituted in January 1899 and was awarded to members of Imperial forces and Canadian Militia who fought against Fenian raiders who came north during the aftermath of the American Civil War. On April 16, 1870, a military contingent under Colonel Garnet S. Wolseley was authorized to quell the Red River Rebellion, arrest the leaders, and restore law and order. It left Toronto on May 14th and reached Fort Garry (now Winnipeg) on August 24th. The force, numbering 1,200, consisted of two guns of the Royal Artillery, the 1st Battalion The 60th, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps, under Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. Fielden, two specially raised battalions of Canadian rifles and about two hundred voyageurs. The battalion from Ontario was known as the 1st (Ontario) Battalion of Rifles, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel S.P. Jarvis. They quelled the Red River Rebellion and also helped avert a Fenian Raid on Manitoba. Private John A. Kerr is shown on the roll of the 195 man Ontario Rifles, listed on page 221 of the "Canada General Service Medal Roll, 1866-70" by John Thyen, entitled to the Red River 1870 clasp.