Prior to the War of 1812 the 41st Regiment of Foot had been in garrison in Upper Canada (Ontario) since the late 1790’s. This Regiment, along with the 49th of Foot, where scheduled to be rotated out of the Province and returned to England. However with the out break of war against the United States the 41st was called on to hold the line and remained in Upper Canada for the duration. The War of 1812 was a hard war for this regiment which saw the virtual destruction of its first battalion at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813 and the second battalion loosing half it’s strength in the battles of late 1813 and 1814 on the Niagara Peninsula. In the end this proud regiment through all it’s trials and tribulations held the line and won more battle honours for the War of 1812 than any other British Regiment in Upper Canada. These Honours can been seen today on the colours of it’s decadent regiment, The Royal Welch Regiment. Regimental Motto, “Better Death than Dishonour”.
