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FOCUS: Who was Major-General Sir Isaac Brock

FOCUS: Who was Major-General Sir Isaac Brock

Thursday 13 October 2022

FOCUS: Who was Major-General Sir Isaac Brock

Thursday 13 October 2022


Today marks the 210th anniversary of the death of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, with commemorative events in Guernsey as well as Canada, where he is seen as a great military hero.

A 13-gun salute from Castle Cornet at midday, and a wreath laying ceremony at the site of his former family home, will honour his life, and death.

Previously, events in Canada have included parades, wreath laying, church services, and flags being raised.

He was considered to be the Hero of Upper Canada, having died in 1812 while leading a British, Canadian and First Nation army to victory over an invading American army.

The Niagara Falls Museum website describes him as "widely admired for his skillful leadership, steadiness and charisma".

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Pictured: The Niagara Falls Museum website lists Guernsey born Major-General Sir Isaac Brock as "The Hero of Upper Canada".

Who was Isaac Brock?

Isaac Brock was born in Guernsey on October 6, 1769. His parents John and Elizabeth Delisle Brock had 14 children. Isaac was the 11th born child.

Isaac's siblings included two sisters; Elizabeth and Rebecca, and two brothers; Peter Henry and Peter, who died in infancy or childhood.

His brothers John and Ferdinand both died during battles.

Brother William worked as a merchant banker before falling into financial difficulty, which affected the wider Brock family.

A second sister called Elizabeth married, as did a younger sister called Mary.

Brothers Frederick and Savery both married, while youngest sibling Irving; who worked in London with older brother William) did not. 

boots high street

Pictured: The De Lisle Brock family lived at what is now Boots The Chemist.

Isaac's older brother, Daniel De Lisle was born in 1762 and was elected jurat before working in London and then returning to take on the role of Bailiff. Among his many achievements, he was responsible for building Elizabeth College.  

The family lived at what is now Boots The Chemist on the High Street.

Military career

In 1785, at the age of fifteen, Isaac Brock bought a commission which enabled him to join the military.

His joining rank was as an ensign of the 8th Regiment. He quickly climbed up through a combination of promotions and purchased commissions.

In 1797, Brock became the senior Lieutenant Colonel in the 49th Regiment. He was assigned to garrison duty in Quebec in 1802 and commanded in Quebec from 1804-1810. At this time he was transferred to Upper Canada.

He was promoted to Colonel in 1805 and Major-General in 1811.

He assumed command over all troops in Upper Canada (now Ontario) from 1810, and the following year he took over the civil administration of the province as well.

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Pictured: Former Brock scholarship student. 

Death

At the outset of the 1812 war, Brock was Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Forces in Upper Canada. He undertook the defence of Upper Canada and organized the militia. 

He had achieved the rank of Major General by this time, and his responsibilities included both the civil and military administration of the province.

He was widely admired for his skilful leadership, steadiness and charisma. 

On August 15, 1812, he took Detroit from US forces with the support of British and Native American troops. This was against all odds. As a result of this achievement, he was awarded a knighthood of the Order of the Bath. 

On October 13, 1812, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock's troops won the Battle of Queenston Heights on the Niagara frontier. He was mortally wounded.

Legacy

Major-General Sir Isaac Brock was initially buried at Fort George - in Canada, not Guernsey. This area is now known as Brock's Bastion.

His remains were later interred within a limestone monument named after hiim, at Queenston Heights Park in Niagara Falls.

Brock's Monument is a 'neoclassical design' with a statue of Major General Sir Isaac Brock and a column. It is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values. 

Brock University is also within the Niagara region. It describes its namesake as someone who "loved to learn".

The university website says: 

"Brock was born on the British Channel Island of Guernsey. He was the eighth son of a middle-class family. As a boy, he earned a reputation as a keen student and an exceptional swimmer and boxer. Despite his lack of extensive formal education, Brock appreciated its importance. It’s said that as an adult he often spent his leisure time sequestered in his room, reading books to improve his education. He read many works on military tactics and science, but ancient history and other topics also interested him. At the time of his death, he possessed a small library that included works by Shakespeare, Voltaire and Samuel Johnson."

A scholarship is issued annually, to one student from Guernsey, enabling them to study at Brock University.

Remembering

On Thursday 13 October, the 210th anniversary of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock's death, a 13-gun salute will be fired at Castle Cornet at midday.

This is to commemorate his life, and death.

The Castle will be open to the public and normal admission charges will apply.

Anyone wishing to watch the salute should arrive at the Castle no later than 11:45 as the Castle Bridge will be closed for public safety.

The gun salute will take place at noon and last approximately two minutes.

The St Peter Port Constables will be laying a wreath at 13:00, at Boots on the High Street, Brock’s former home.

Read more...

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Remembering one of Guernsey's most famous sons

Brock scholarship awarded to student at The Ladies' College

Former recipient of Brock scholarship named one of Niagara's 40 under Forty

Young musicians invited to perform in Canada

International students could study on island



 

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