War of 1812 veterans' graves in Fredericton get plaques

The graves of seven veterans of a war fought 200 years ago now have their graves marked with special plaques in Fredericton's Old Burying Ground.

The seven soldiers were members of the 104th Regiment stationed in Fredericton.

Gary Campbell, an historian and former military member, researched the veterans and petitioned the National Gravesite Project to award plaques for the soldiers buried in Fredericton.

"What motives me is my 'great to the appropriate degree' grandfather Private William Moran of the 104th Regiment of Foot, made the epic march from Fredericton to Kingston in the winter of 1813, served along the Niagara frontier in 1813, went back to winter quarters in Kingston and died there from disease in January of 1814," said Campbell. 

"He lies in an unmarked grave someplace in Kingston, Ont. I can't find his grave. I can't commemorate it. But I can do it for these people."

Some of the soldiers buried in Fredericton suffered serious injuries in the war.

Most were part of the historic six-week march in brutal conditions in the winter of 1813, when the troops marched from Fredericton to Kingston. Ont., to join the British troops for battle against the United States.

The veterans honoured with the plaques are:

• Lt.-Col. Harris William Hailes
• Capt. John Allen
• Lt. William Barry Phair
• Capt. Andrew William Rainsford
• Capt. George Shore
• Lt. James Augustus MacLauchlan
• Capt. John Jenkins