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Opening of The War of 1812 Exhibition
On Friday 23rd March, a new exhibition was officially opened at The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire) Museum. The exhibition is titled ‘The War of 1812’’. This year is the 200th anniversary of that war and it was a military conflict fought in Canada between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions due to Britain's ongoing war with France, the impressment of American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy, British support of American Indian tribes against American expansion, outrage over insults to national honour after humiliations on the high seas and possible American desire to annex Canada. The exhibition includes comprehensive display panels, a touch screen kiosk which we have recently invested in, a mannequin dressed in a replica 49th Regiment of Foot uniform and paintings. The replica uniform has been made by members of NADFAS and some of the material used had to be imported from Canada - the only place that supplies the material for this uniform. The Canadians have large reenactments of this war as it is celebrated yearly as a great victory. General Sir Issac Brock the British Commander of the 49th is regarded as a hero of this war and was killed during the Battle of Queenston Heights, in 1812. The opening ceremony was made by Lieutenant-General Jonathon Riley CB DSO PhD MA who is Director General and Master of the Armouries and also an author; and also by a retired General – Derek Crabtree, who served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment – one of the antecedent regiments of the 49th of Foot - who took part in that war. Dr Jonathon Riley was appointed Director-General and Master of the Armouries in April 2009 after 36 years in the Army, latterly as Deputy Commander of NATO ISAF in Afghanistan. He has authored and edited a number of published works on military histories including the book ‘A Matter of Honour’ which is about the life of Sir Isaac Brock who features in the War of 1812 exhibition. The exhibition included a replica 49thRegiment uniform which was made by Jill Makepeace- Warne and her team of NADFAS ladies.