Canada. A General Service Medal 1866-1870, Montreal Brigade, Battle of Trout River

FENIAN RAID 1870 (Gr. J. Yabsley, Montreal G.A.). Naming is officially impressed. Very light contact, original ribbon, near extremely fine. Footnote: John Yabsley was born on May 13, 1851 in St. John's Newfoundland. His mother, Sarah Anne Mitchell, passed away in 1861 when Yabsley was not quite 10 years old. He is acknowledged as having had two siblings: a sister, Mary Anne Yabsley and a brother, William Henry Yabsley, but of whom died as children. Private (Gunner) John Yabsley is shown on the roll of the 208 man Montreal Brigade of Garrison Artillery and is listed on page 213 of the "Canada General Service Medal Roll, 1866-70" by John Thyen, entitled to the Fenian Raid 1870 clasp, and acknowledged as having been in action at the Battle of Trout River. He is documented on the roll as having been posted from May 24 to June 4, 1870 at Trout River, "under fire there in advance line of skirmishers", at the age of 19. The Battle of Trout River was a military conflict that occurred on May 27, 1870. It was a part of the Fenian raids. This battle occurred outside of Huntingdon, Quebec near the international border about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Malone, New York. Four years after the Battle of Trout River, John Yabsley married Melina Mordin on May 5, 1874 in Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal, Quebec. The couple would have three children: two daughters, Sarah Anne Yabsley and Lillian Blanche Yabsley, along with a son, Richard John Yabsley. John Yabsley was employed as a Tailor on St. Catherine Street in Montreal. At the age of 60, he applied for a Grant under the provisions of the Fenian Raid Volunteer Bounty Act, on April 20, 1912 at Montreal, confirming his involvement at Trout River.