Sir Isaac Brock

http://archives.queensu.ca/Exhibits/warof1812/players.html (I am unsure. )

My hero is Sir Isaac Brock true hero, a Canadian hero. Sir Isaac Brock was a British Army General and Colonial Administrator of Upper Canada who overcame The threat of American invasion of Canada and beat back the Americans at every confrontation, defending our young nation against a policy of manifest destiny. Sadly, on the 13th of October 1812, The Hero of Upper Canada was killed leading his troops into battle at Queenstown Heights.

Sir Isaac Brock was born in 1769 in the city of St. Peter's Port on the island of Guernsey, the eighth son of a John Brock, a midshipman in the English Navy. The Brock family was moderately wealthy and as a result, Isaac was able to purchase an ensigncy with the 8th Foot in the English army, but his rather unorthodox way of getting in was in no way a reason to doubt his cunning, smarts and devotion to duty. an example of these smarts would be how upon being challenged to a duel by a professional due to a disagreement, Brock accepted only with one condition: That rather at the usual distance, the duel should be done over the length of one handkerchief. Of course the duelist refused this ludicrous idea and as a consequence, left the regiment.

On the 24th of June 1795 he purchased a majority in the 49th Foot and was later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and on the 17th of October 1799 he was able to show off his commanding abilities in an engagement with the French. The 49th had only 33 fatal casualties, Brock being wounded in the battle but returning to duty within a half an hour; truly courageous. A couple years before the outbreak of the war of 1812, Isaac Brock was sent to Canada and became Colonial administrator of upper Canada, giving him control of all civil aspects of the nation and due to his new rank of Colonel was given control of all military forces in Canada the time. Once settled, he quickly went to work, bolstering the nations defenses, a particular place of interest for him this subject was Quebec, where he had large wall constructed and an elevated artillery battery to hold off any potential threat. He issued more extensive rigorous training to the Canadian militia and reformed the Provincial Marine into a force capable of defending the coast from American aggression. Through his military achievements he was still a honorable man. Financial disaster struck the Brocks in 1811. You see, Isaac's older brother William worked for a London firm of bankers and merchants that had failed, but previously he had forwarded a sum of around 3000 English Pounds in order for Isaac to buy his positions within the 49th. These transactions were unknowingly to Isaac, entered in the Firm's ledgers, leaving Isaac with a rather stressful sum of money to pay back. From this point on, he made the entire portion of his new civil salary out to his brother Irving to pay off the debt or to help relieve some of the stress on the family.

http://www.napoleonguide.com/pixs_brock.htm (again, I am unsure of the artist)

But it is his actions during the war of 1812 that truly made him go down in history as a hero. On July 12, 1812, Canada was invaded by the United States. The invasion took place at Queenstown Heights Upper Canada and when the Americans captured a Canadian/British artillery placement, Brock rallied his men and personally lead the charge to retake it, spearheading the attack, sword drawn, on horseback. Tragically, this made him a perfect target for an American sniper. He was shot once through the heart and was killed. His death caused the fires of revenge to burn in the hearts of his troops and they not only recaptured the position, but won the battle with a stunning victory. There is a mystery though as to his last words, one almost as legendary as the man himself. They have been reported to be "Push on brave York volunteers." If these words were his last words it would show incredible devotion to his cause and to duty.

Sir Isaac Brock (http://www.windsorpubliclibrary.com/digi/war1812/contents/introduction/brock.htm (yet another one where i cannot find the artist.))

To me, Sir Isaac Brock is a hero because he was courageous, intelligent and a true defender of our nation. We as Canadians owe him a lot and he has gone down in history as one of the most prominent figures in Canadian history. He has made a difference in my life by giving me a sense of Canadian pride and a feeling that we are (were) a strong nation with a bright future and I can safely say that without Sir Isaac Brock, OUR war of independence would have been lost.