Brand new member and I'm sorry to say I found this thread rather disappointing. Even on a Canadian forum seems we must deal with constant trolling from Americans with a chip on their shoulder and the odd smug Brit. Was hoping to relax into some interesting conversation with other Canadians but alas I read a few pages of this and it was anything but relaxing.
Incidentally, my family was in the War of 1812. So what if they weren't well trained regular troops and were therefore back-up and support for regular British troops stationed in Canada. The war was between the U.S. and Britain after all however they did choose to invade our homes here and my ancestors did take part in defense. I'm proud of my ancestors for doing their part and although they may have played a supplementary role, they certainly should not be dishonoured for it. It was the British commander's decision to relegate them to that role rather than to put them through the kind of training to bring them up to speed with his regular troops and that's understandable. They did what they could and what they were given charge to do and have a right to be proud of it.
And incidentally they were there and took part in the Battle of Queenston Heights. Was it blown out of proportion by the population afterwards? Of course! What society doesn't do that???Gee, not like that ever happens anywhere eh? War stories are *always* 100% accurate without any exaggeration right?
Just like how many Americans I've had to listen to say they saved the world's ass in both world wars and that the English and everyone else couldn't do the job and were ineffective till they came on the scene. We all know how *accurate* that story is too.
(Well all of us except most Americans who continue to stand by that assumption.)
As for going on about how it's not "Canadian" history because we weren't officially "Canadian" yet, etc... I think that's a ridiculous argument. Big deal if we were not officially the country of Canada yet, if you go by that rule then the history of the 13 colonies is no part of American history either and so on and so on. I live in the area that had the bloodiest battles from that war and this is Canadian land and those were my ancestors involved in defence of their homes and families too and I say it is very much a part of Canadian history.
![[B-o]](./images/smilies/drinkup.gif "Drink up")
And by the way, I have Loyalist roots and I'm not ashamed of them, I'm very proud of them. Nor do I think that Canada has rejected the British part of their heritage out of shame but moreso out of lack of knowledge and very much so because of a *very changed demographic* in this country. We once were largely of British origin and now we have many competing cultural groups that simply do not understand/appreciate/value the British heritage because they do not identify with that culture at all. It's sad but immigration can change demographics and that's a big part of what has happened... that and not enough education in our schools to make youth truly understand their history.
That's my 2 cents and I really hate arguing and dealing with smug comments so I can't guarantee I will even read in this thread again but I felt it necessary to say something at least on behalf of my ancestors.
CKA Uber 
