Re-dedication of the Sir Isaac Brock Monument: June 23rd 2012, Brockville, Ontario
IODE Walter Baker Chapter members Charlotte Parry, Gwyneth Harkin and Ann Dyer (in her official capacity as National President of IODE Canada) were thrilled to attend the historic re-dedication ceremony of the Sir Isaac Brock Monument on Saturday, June 23rd, 2012 in Brockville, Ontario. The re-dedication was part of the two-year bi-centenary celebrations of the War of 1812.
The bronze bust and stone monument was proposed by the members of IODE General Brock Chapter and made reality after seven years of unceasing fundraising efforts on the part of all the members. The Chapter gave the commission for the bust and monument to Hamilton McCarthy (1847-1939) of Ottawa, one of the leading sculptors of his day and well known for his other monuments commemorating the Boer War. The monument to Sir Isaac Brock was unveiled during a ceremony on August 19th, 1912 a few months shy of the 100th anniversary of the heroic death of Brock at Queenston Heights.
One hundred years later, the re-dedication ceremony took place with several descendants of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock's family in attendance from across England and from Texas, USA. Ceremony spectators were treated to a military parade by re-enactors, community officials and politicians dressed in historical period costume, music from the Brockville Concert Band, the Canadian Fencibles Musicians and the Brockville Pipes and Drums, musket volleys, canon fire and greetings and thanks by Reverend Michael Brock on behalf of the Brock family.
The bronze bust and stone monument was proposed by the members of IODE General Brock Chapter and made reality after seven years of unceasing fundraising efforts on the part of all the members. The Chapter gave the commission for the bust and monument to Hamilton McCarthy (1847-1939) of Ottawa, one of the leading sculptors of his day and well known for his other monuments commemorating the Boer War. The monument to Sir Isaac Brock was unveiled during a ceremony on August 19th, 1912 a few months shy of the 100th anniversary of the heroic death of Brock at Queenston Heights.
One hundred years later, the re-dedication ceremony took place with several descendants of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock's family in attendance from across England and from Texas, USA. Ceremony spectators were treated to a military parade by re-enactors, community officials and politicians dressed in historical period costume, music from the Brockville Concert Band, the Canadian Fencibles Musicians and the Brockville Pipes and Drums, musket volleys, canon fire and greetings and thanks by Reverend Michael Brock on behalf of the Brock family.
Re-enactors, (very) young and old, treated the public to a colourful parade with bag pipes, fifes and drums.
IODE Ontario President Karen Barker (left) and IODE Canada President Ann Dyer (right, facing camera) both spoke on behalf of IODE and our connection with Brockville and the Brock Monument. IODE presented the Brock family with framed photographs of the Brock Monument with an IODE inscribed plaque.
Brockville Mayor David Henderson calls for a drum roll as the Sir Isaac Brock Monument is once again revealed to the public.