RHLI Exercises

National Defence and the Canadian Forces

Joint Task Force Central & Land Force Central Area

31 Canadian Brigade Group

RHLI Take Ridgeway

Capt Tim Fletcher

On June 5th, 1866, The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI) – then known as the 13th Battalion – engaged in its first combat action when it attacked Irish Fenians who invaded from the United States in what is known now as the Battle of Ridgeway, near Fort Erie. With 2005 being the year of the veteran, and the RHLI's first veterans having been created at the Battle of Ridgeway, the RHLI staged a special commemoration. On the initiative of Lt. (now captain) Alex Colic, the Rileys returned to Ridgeway on the weekend of June 3rd - 5th, by marching 110 kilometres from Hamilton to the battlefield monument marking the site.

Walking in relays, about 25 soldiers of the RHLI started their march Friday June 3rd at noon . They marched approximately 35 kilometres south to Cayuga where they spent the night in a local school. On Saturday they marched another 40 kilometres to Long Beach Conservation Area. On Sunday, June 5th, they completed the journey with the final 30 kilometres to the village of Ridgeway . After a short break to visit the Ridgeway Museum and see artifacts from the 1866 battle, the soldiers marched to the monument.

The Regimental Band was on hand to march the final leg with the Ridgeway Contingent from the museum in the village of Ridgeway to the monument.

The march to Ridgeway was in preparation for a larger event in 2006 to mark the 140th anniversary of the battle.


The Ridgeway Contingent took a short breather at the museum where they were joined by the CO, LCol Guy Smith with several friends of the regiment and veterans, including CWO Jack McFarland, a Dieppe veteran

The soldiers created quite a stir as they marched through the village of Ridgeway past homes and streams of cars, many of whom honked to show support.

The Band of the RHLI, other members of the regiment, and regimental supporters met the marchers in Ridgeway and paraded with them to the cairn for a short service of remembrance.

 

Major Sean McKee, RHLI DCO, leads the contingent into position at the
Ridgeway Monument to end the 110-kilometre journey.