1969 Sir Isaac Brock

Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, K.B., (1769-1812), one of Canada's outstanding military heroes was born on the island of Guernsey. He entered the British Army in 1785, became a lieutenant-colonel in 1797 and served in Europe 1799-1801. The following year he was posted to Canada with his regiment. In 1811, just prior to the outbreak of war between Britain and the United States, Brock became President of the Executive Council and Administrator of Upper Canada (now Ontario) and rapidly organized the defence of the colony. His leadership culminated in the capture of Detroit and the defeat of the U.S. invaders at Queenston Heights (Niagara) in 1812. He was mortally wounded during the engagement and is interred on the heights above the battlefield where he fell.

Reference: Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario

A painting of Brock on the battlefield

Brock Monument

Brock's remains were placed in a vault under a 135 foot monument atop Queenston Heights in Queenston, Ontario. The first monument was bombed by a terrorist in 1840 and was replaced the imposing 56 metre (185 foot) column which stands today.

The First monument 1824

The first monument was inaugurated October 13, 1824.


First Monument Bombed 1840

On April 17, 1840, an explosive charge did serious and irreparable damage to the monument although it failed to bring it down. The attack was presumed to have been orchestrated by Benjamin Lett, an anti-British agitator and participant in the 1837 rebellion.


The Second Monument 1853

Built in 1853, the second monument is still standing.


Brock Commemorative Stamps

a) Guernsey

In 1969, the island of Guernsey issued a set of 4 stamps to commemorate its native son.

Not in the author's collection

b) Canadian Stamp

 On September 12, 1969, Canada Post Office issued a stamp commemorating the 200th anniversary of Brock's birth. The stamp shows an image of Brock and Brock's Monument.

First Day Covers

Canada Post Office Publicity First Day Cover




Canada Post Office Replacement First Day Cover

Shering






Canada Envelope Company











H & E




Darnell




Rosecraft




David Pritchard






Usages

Domestic Letter


Islington to Toronto, September 27, 1969
6 cents domestic letter rate


150th Anniversary Battle of Queenston Heights

The souvenir cover shown below was cancelled at Queenston, October 13, 1963.

2012 : War of 1812 Bicentennial

Sir Isaac Brock and Tecumseh were featured on stamps issued in 2012 to mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812.