History:

In the Spring of 1806, while on leave in England from British North America, Colonel Issac Brock wrote to the British Commander-in-Chief, the Duke of York, recommending the formation of a special battalion of veteran soldiers who would perform garrison duty at the frontier ports in order to reduce the threat of American invasion.

In December 1806, the Duke approved the proposal and issued Beating Orders for the formation of the 10th Royal Veterans Battalion. That winter the Battalion assembled at the Isle of Wight and embarked in the spring of 1807 for Canada under the command of Lt. Colonel Henry Zouch.

The unit was head-quartered at Quebec until the threat of war with the United States was imminent. Thereafter, the 10th moved to Fort St. Joseph under the command of Captain Roberts in 1811. In July, 1812, Roberts and the 10th performed admirably with the capture of Fort Michilimackinac, and remained on the western frontier for the duration of the war. In 1815, after the war, they were re-numbered as the 4th Western Battalion, and then finally disbanded in 1817.

Reliable Fort St. Joseph statistics reveal that the average height of a 10th man was 5 feet, 5 inches; the average age was 47, although some were younger; and the average length of service was 26 years. Given the average age of many re-enactors today, one may observe that the 10th is an ideal unit to portray.

Re-enacting the War of 1812:

There are few hobbies as interesting, exciting and ultimately as fulfilling as military re-enactment. The 10th Royal Veterans Battalion is a family oriented unit, comprised of people who are dedicated to historical accuracy, proper training, safety and heritage support. However, we also hold that enjoyment is the ultimate purpose of pursuing a hobby.

Accordingly, we are involved in 1812 Re-enactment events right across the region, from Eastern Ontario to Amherstburg, and from Northern Michigan, to Fort Meigs, Ohio. Both our companies - the 1st out of Michigan and the 2nd based in Southwestern Ontario - specialize in supporting living history events, historic battle re-enactments and heritage sites, large and small.

If you enjoy military life and camping under canvas at fascinating historical sites, and if you love history so much that you would actually like to step back in time occasionally, then the 10th Royal Veterans might just be for you.

God Save the King!

Contact:

John Church, 1st Company Sergeant, S.E. Michigan, at:
or,
Stephen Bourne, Sergeant, 2nd Company, S.W. Ontario, at: