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College History

Miniatures of Lt-Gen G.G. Simonds, CC, CB, CBE, DSO, ED (College No. 1596)

Simonds graduated from RMC in 1925 and was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. During the Second World War he held a succession of key appointments, including Command of the 2nd Canadian Corps in NW Europe, 1944-45

Sword & Epaulettes of Maj-Gen Chris Vokes, CB ,CBE, DSO, CD (College No. 1633)

Vokes graduated from RMC in 1925 and was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Engineers. He held various appointments during the Second World War and succeeded his classmate Simonds in command of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division in Italy. Vokes later commanded the 4th Canadian Armoured Division in NW Europe.

Lt-Col. Edward Osborne Hewett, C.G. (1835 - 1897)

Hewett was a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Woolwich and serving as a Major in the Royal Engineers when he was selected in 1875 to be the first Commandant of the Military College in Canada. Promoted to Lt-Col on appointment, Hewett served as the College's first Commandant until his resignation in 1886.

 

RMC Cadets in Heavy Marching Order, 1882

Cadets wore the standard infantry uniform of the day when the College opened in 1876. This uniform, in a slightly modified form, still survives as the College dress uniform.

General H.D.G. Crerar, PC, CH, CB, DSO, CD, ADC (College No. 749)

Crerar graduated from RMC in 1909. He served as an artillery officer in the First World War and held various appointments in the years between the wars. He was Commandant of RMC when war broke out again in 1939. Crerar commanded the First Canadian Army from 1944 to 1945.

Marc Garneau, ex-cadet and astronaut

Ex-cadet, First Canadian astronaut,1984

 

Dockyard History

Sir James Yeo (1782 - 1818), 1813

Yeo commanded all naval forces on the Lakes of Canada during the War of 1812. He had a distinguished service record prior to his appointment to Canada and, although he did not fight any major action on Lake Ontario, his careful use of naval power was a major factor in the successful defence of Upper Canada.

Attack on Fort Oswego by John Hewett, 1814

Lake Ontario, North America, May 6th, 1814, noon
Etched by Robert Havell, London, 1 May 1815

John Hewett (known 1806-1869), a Lieutenant in the Royal Marines, was the father of Lt-Col E.O. Hewett, first commandant of RMC.

Commodore's House

Commodore's House at Dockyard, 1815

 

Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Barrie, K.C.B., K.C.H. (1774 - 1841)

Barrie had a distinguished service record in the Napoleonic Wars and from 1819 to 1834 he was Commissioner of the Kingston Dockyard and Commander of the Naval Forces in Canada.

Captain Francis Brockell Spilsbury

Spilsbury was a Lieutenant when he came to Canada in 1813 as one of Yeo's officers. He served on Lake Ontario and, at various times, commanded several of the smaller ships of the Lake Ontario Squadron. He was taken prisoner on 6 May 1814 and held until the end of the War. Following the War he was promoted to Captain and retired on half-pay.

Lloyds' Patriotic Fund Silver Plate

No official awards system existed for acts of gallantry during the Napoleonic War period. Lloyds of London established a privately funded system which made presentations to officers and men of the British forces. Silver plate was common for senior officers and swords for junior officers. This silver tankard, awarded to Lt. Spilsbury for his gallant action in cutting out an enemy ship at Malagra, Spain, on 29 April 1812, is a rare example of a silver presentation made to a junior officer.

 

Naval Officer's Sword, Light Pattern

Sword of Capt. F. Spilsbury.
This type of sword was worn with evening or court dress. Spilsbury likely purchased this sword after the War on promotion to Captain.

Night Glass

Large brass telescope owned by Captain Spilsbury and used on Lake Ontario during the War of 1812

Spy Glass

 

Douglas Arms Collection

Boutet Flintlock pistols

A pair of naval pattern presentation flintlock pistols by Nicholas Boutet of Versailles. Circa 1800-1802

Miquelet Belt Pistols

Pair of belt pistols by J.P.H. Almos, circa 1800.

The miquelet lock is a Spanish version of the flintlock in which the hammer and pan cover are in one piece.

LeMat & Girard's Patent Percussion Revolver

Manufactured in London, England, circa 1863-64.
This type of pistol was popular with officers of the Confederate Army during the U.S.Civil War. Markings on the left grip suggest that this revolver was confiscated from a shipment bound to the Confederate States, via Mexico, and subsequently issued to French forces serving in Mexico with Maxillian.

 

Merwin and Hulbert First Model Army Revolvers, circa 1880

These presentation revolvers are profusely decorated with gold inlay and damascened ornament and are considered to be among the finest surviving examples of Merwin & Hulbert pistols.

Colt Model 1889 Double Action Revolvers

These Model 1889 Double Action revolvers are outstanding examples of engraved Colt firearms. They were shipped to Mexico from the Colt factory on 2 April 1892.

Dagger - c. 1845/50

Possibly of French origin, in the manner of Félicie de Fauveau.

This ornate dagger is decorated with scenes from Shakespeare's Othello

"Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.
Put out the light, and then put out the light;
If I quench thee, those flaming minister
I can again they former light restore..."
- Othello, Act V, Scene 2

 

Leinster Plate

100th Regiment Badge

Badge of the 100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment, 1860

Cup, 1864

"Presented to the Officers of the Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian Regiment by Lieutenant C.P. Lowry on Promotion, 1864"

Cup, 1877

Presented to the Officers' Mess 100th PWRC by Colonel the Honourable C.J. Addington on Retirement, September 1877.

 

Wine Jug, c. 1880

Model Gun

Presented to the Officers 1st Battn P.W.s LEINSTER Regt Royal Canadians by Lieutenant C.E.B. Blunt 1891

Inter-Company Boxing Trophy, 1910

Presented by Captain W.P. Brooke, c. 1910

 

Miscellaneous

View of Kingston, 1858

A watercolour by W.F. Friend showing a view of Kingston from Barriefield village. The northern end of Point Frederick (now part of the RMC campus) appears in the middle ground.

Aerial view of RMC, 1919

Mackenzie Building circa 1944

Oil on canvas by Douglas M. Betts

 

Fort Frederick, 1952

Oil on canvas by R.W. Pilot.

Aerial view of RMC, 1985

Aerial view of RMC, Fort Henry, Cedar Island, 1994

 
 

Aerial view of Campus, 1996

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