Fort Fraser Despatches, March 2014

Lovat history and the Fraser River:

According to one George Bain in his 1893"History of Nairnshire", "Young William Fraser of Culbokie, along with the Master of Lovat, led the Frasers at Culloden, and having escaped after the battle to the fastness of Strathglass, was hid there by the tenantry. In revenge the Duke of Cumberland’s troops burned down the house of Guisachan over the head of his father, a very old man, who had taken no part in the affair of 1745. The second son, John, was an officer in the Fraser Highlanders, and was at the taking of Quebec in 1759. When Major Clephane (Kilravock’s brother-in-law, who became Provost of Nairn) was about to leave Canada for home, he generously procured a command for John Fraser, Culbokie’s son. Captain John married and settled in Canada, as did also his brother Simon, who, going out West on an adventurous expedition, became known to fame as the discoverer of the Fraser River, which was called after him."

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Marie Fraser, historian of Clan Fraser Society, clarifies:

Captain John Fraser (c1727-95) married and settled in Canada after Fraser's 78th Highland Regiment was disbanded.

Captain Simon Fraser (c1729-79), formerly with the Glengarry Fencibles, emigrated with his wife and young family to America on the good ship Pearl in 1773. After the outbreak of the American Revolution, he joined Sir John Johnson’s Regiment, was taken prisoner at the Battle of Bennington, (more on this battle follows) and 13 months later, in January 1779, he died in Albany gaol.

Captain Simon Fraser’s widow moved the family to Canada, staying first with her eldest son William near Montréal, Québec, and later settling in Cornwall, .

It was her youngest son Simon, born in 1776, who later became the famous explorer.

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August, 1777 more about the Battle of Bennington: (The American Revolution) A disaster for the combined British, German and Loyalist forces at the town of Hoosick, NY - those forces included: German Forces: Prinz Ludwig Dragoons = 205 Grenadiers = 377 Light infantry = 334 Line infantry (from regiments of Riedesel, Specht, and Rhetz) = 37 Hesse-Hanau artillery = 33

British Forces: Queen's Loyal Rangers (Peters) = over 150 British marksmen = 48 Local Loyalists (Pfister, Covel) = over 150 = 56 Indians (Lanaudière, Campbell) = over 100

The battle was a decisive victory for the Rebel cause, as it reduced Burgoyne's (British) army in size by almost 1,000 men, led his Indian support to largely abandon him, and deprived him of needed supplies such as cavalry and draft horses and food, all factors that contributed to Burgoyne's eventual surrender at Saratoga on 17 October, 1777. The victory also galvanized colonial support for the independence movement, and played a role in bringing France into the war on the Rebel side. The battle anniversary is celebrated in the state of Vermont as Bennington Battle Day. (source: Wikipedia)

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also of Lovat Fraser historical lore:

Mrs. Fraser writes: On July 13, 1994 my husband and I visited Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia.

We were shown the basket hilt sword used on ceremonial occasions [see photo], which was donated by the 17th Lord Lovat Brigadier Simon Fraser (1911-95) when he attended the 1965 opening of the university, named in honour of Simon Fraser the explorer (1776-1862).

In addition to the above, Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, World Champions in 1995, 1996, 1998 & 2001, have succeeded in spreading his name far beyond Canada.

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from an article on World War I Historians Linkedin page: by Ben Jones - Writer/Historian at The Football History Boys "Footballers at War - 1914 - 1918"

In a letter to the editor in 1914, a reader questioned why pro footballers were not formed into combat battalions.

'To be a good footballer you must be big, strong, courageous, active and alert'...all the qualities needed in a soldier. What have they done? An official wrote that there were over 4000 registered paid professionals. These men were the one class of the community who were in special training and conditioning when war was declared.

There were enough of them to form three or four battalions, yet months have passed before there was any attempt to form one football battalion."

In 1914 a special battalion was set up for footballers interested in joining in the war effort, The 17th Service Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. Set up by William Joynson Hicks, a politician, its first member was Bradford defender and England international Frank Buckley who would go on to become a Major in the army.

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in the presence of......

LtCol.'s Bolton and Stewart of the Montreal garrison enjoyed an audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Phillip Duke of Edinburgh.

and the lads of the Montreal Squad demonstrated their drill prowess before a most exclusive audience!

(all this in 2004 - apologies for the delay....)

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WANTED

a few good Lads & Lasses to learn the Drill and wear the Uniform of the 78th. contact the adjutant: [email protected]

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FYI: Certain parts of the Treaty of Paris 1763

In the Name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. So be it. Be it known to all those whom it shall, or may, in any manner, belong,

Article I. There shall be a Christian, universal, and perpetual peace, as well by sea as by land, and a sincere and constant friendship shall be re established between their Britannick, Most Christian, Catholick, and Most Faithful Majesties, and between their heirs and successors, kingdoms, dominions, provinces, countries, subjects, and vassals, of what quality or condition soever they be, without exception of places or of persons: So that the high contracting parties shall give the greatest attention to maintain between themselves and their said dominions and subjects this reciprocal friendship and correspondence, without permitting, on either side, any kind of hostilities, by sea or by land, to be committed from henceforth, for any cause, or under any pretence whatsoever, and every thing shall be carefully avoided which might hereafter prejudice the union happily reestablished, applying themselves, on the contrary, on every occasion, to procure for each other whatever may contribute to their mutual glory, interests, and advantages, without giving any assistance or protection, directly or indirectly, to those who would cause any prejudice to either of the high contracting parties: there shall be a general oblivion of every thing that may have been done or committed before or since the commencement of the war which is just ended.

VI. The King of Great Britain cedes the islands of St. Pierre and Macquelon, in full right, to his Most Christian Majesty, to serve as a shelter to the French fishermen; and his said Most Christian Majesty engages not to fortify the said islands; to erect no buildings upon them but merely for the conveniency of the fishery; and to keep upon them a guard of fifty men only for the police. etc. etc. In witness whereof, We the underwritten Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Ministers Plenipotentiary of their Britannick, Most Christian and Catholick Majesties, have signed the present separate Articles, and have caused the seal of our arms to be put thereto. Done at Paris, the 10th of February, 1763.

His Britannick Majesty's full Power, GEORGE R.

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take pride in the heritage!

The 78th Fraser Highlanders raised at Inverness, Scotland, January 1757 by The Hon. Simon Fraser, Master of Lovat 78th Regiment, 2nd Highland Battalion of Foot 82 Officers, 65 Sergeants 30 Pipers & Drummers 1365 Other Ranks distinguished in action at:

o SEIGE of LOUISBOURG, June-July 1758

wintered in New York Province, 1758 - 59 moved to Halifax, , May 1759 landed with Wolfe at Ile d'Orleans, July 1759 skirmished at Montmorency & Beauport Flats

o BATTLE for QUEBEC Sept.1759 - August 1760 Battle of the Plains of Abraham, September 1759 Battle of Ste.Foy/Sillery, April 1760

o CAPTURE of MONTRÉAL, September 1760

o BATTLE for ST.JOHN'S, September 1761

Quartered in Québec and Nova Scotia 1759 - 1763

DISBANDED in Canada December, 1763

Clan Motto: "Je Suis Prest" (Fraser of Lovat) Pipes: "Lord Lovat's Lament"

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Upcoming events:

 07 March - 15FD RCA/78th joint Whisky Event in the Mess (a fundraising event to benefit both Units + amazing whisky)

 15 March - Fort Fraser Noon Luncheon & AGM in the Mess (2014 paid members eligible to vote)

 16 March - "Gung Haggis Fat Choy" (perhaps a 78th table of 10 - please advise the adjutant if you wish to join.)

GUNG HAGGIS FAT CHOY Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Celebrating Year of the Horse

Sunday March 16, 2014 - NEW DATE 5:00 pm Reception 6:00 pm Dinner Start Floata Restaurant - #400 180 Keefer St. Vancouver Chinatown (Free Parking)

$65 for Regular Adult Ticket $650 for table of 10 includes complimentary wine for your table

Featuring our world-famous Deep-fried Haggis Won Ton PLUS Chinese Banquet Dinner Lots of poetry, music, food and fun! Silk Road Music Ensemble, Gung Haggis Pipe Band, Storyteller Mary Gavan and more special guests, raffle prizes and silent auction

"a most promising line-up.... sorry I can't be there!"

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