An artist depicts action during the June 2, 1866, Battle of Ridgeway. [LAC/Wikimedia]
Member of Parliament Fred Davies, who has represented the Niagara South riding in Ontario since 2025, is among the first to admit that the Ridgeway Nine Memorial is “showing its age.” The modest monument stands atop Limestone Ridge near Fort Erie, a site he knows exceptionally well.
“I drive by it two or three times a week,” explained the self-described “rookie” of backbench politics, “and without fail, my head turns toward that memorial.” Davies would like to see the tribute restored—and soon. Arguably of greater consequence, he hopes that the dead it commemorates receive national recognition.
In 1866, Irish republicans of the U.S.-founded Fenian Brotherhood—many of whom were veterans of the American Civil War—sought to strike at the heart of British imperialism and its grip over their homeland. The would-be insurgents believed that by seizing territory in the British North American colonies—modern-day Canada—they could hold it as leverage for Irish independence. Their attempts at this became known as the Fenian Raids.
On June 2, 1866, a Canadian militia force attempted to counter such a raid during the Battle of Ridgeway, initially pushing back the invaders until increasing confusion and an enemy counterattack prompted their withdrawal. Nine defenders were killed in the struggle, with more subsequently succumbing to their wounds and disease. Those same nine are honoured at Limestone Ridge, where the confrontation was fought and lost.
Now, Davies has supported a House of Commons petition that seeks to add their names into the Books of Remembrance. Traditionally located in Parliament Hill’s Memorial Chamber, the eight volumes record more than 120,000 Canadians who died while serving in uniform. The Fenian Raid fatalities, however, are currently not among them.
Speaking exclusively to Legion Magazine, the Conservative MP presented his case for why that should change.
MP Fred Davies. [Courtesy Fred Davies]
On his personal motivation for sponsoring the petition
My riding encompasses much of the battlegrounds of the War of 1812 and the Fenian Raids in 1866. The little-known history of the latter is what motivated me to bring this forward right now, especially at a time when Canada is facing some existential crises.
The Ridgeway Nine, alongside others who perished because of their wounds and disease during the Fenian Raids, deserve to get that national recognition that has escaped them for 160 years.
On why it should matter to Canadians
It could be argued that Canada might not exist today if it had not been for the men who fought that battle on June 2, 1866. It could even be argued that Canada might not exist if it had not been for my constituency, with my riding running along the shoreline of Lake Erie right to the Buffalo, N.Y., border.
I’m often disappointed that we don’t teach our history as well as we should in our schools. When I talk to young people, there is a lack of awareness of our local history and how important that has been to the formation of Canada.
Scottish-born Ensign Malcolm McEachren, for instance, is considered the first Canadian soldier wearing a Canadian uniform killed in action on Canadian soil. It confounds me that we have, for 160 years, failed to recognize that sacrifice.
Then you have Decoration Day, the precursor to Remembrance Day in Canada [that commemorated the Battle of Ridgeway and wider Fenian Raid sacrifices]. When Remembrance Day was proclaimed and the country’s date of commemoration changed to Nov. 11, the Ridgeway Nine were all but relegated to obscurity in the history books, which is sad and unfortunate.
Artist Charles Fuller depicts the funerals of the Battle of Ridgeway’s Canadian casualties in Toronto. [Charles Fuller/Toronto Public Library/Wikimedia]
On countering arguments against the petition
I’ve written to Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight, and she has agreed to have a meeting with me when the House resumes.
Erin O’Toole, a former veterans affairs minister, had previously tried to bring this forward, but the bureaucracy was reticent to give him oxygen on this because it might have brought other unrelated battles into the discussion, such as the North-West Rebellion. To me, that’s oranges and apples. There’s no correlation between the rebellions in the West and the incursion of the Fenians into Canada.
Meanwhile, the argument that Ridgeway predated Confederation might have once been relevant—that is, until 2019, when the Books of Remembrance were unveiled for the War of 1812. So, that argument doesn’t hold water anymore.
It’s also worth noting that the inquiry into the Battle of Ridgeway diminished its importance because its soldiers were badly trained and badly led. Canada lost battles in World War II, however, and we still commemorate those who lost their lives.
We honour our dead—no matter where they died.
On the potential success of the petition
There’s a whole confluence of factors that support the idea of a Book of Remembrance that would include the Fenian Raid fatalities. Every day, a page of those books is turned, and the names of those who perished in service are visible at least once a year. That is perhaps the most salient example of the need for Canada to honour the sacrifice of these individuals.
I think this is a good news story for Canada at a time when we need some good news. As we’re dealing with all these issues related to our southern neighbour, it’s important to recognize that Canada’s independence and sovereignty grew, to a large degree, out of this battle. It’s important that we, as Canadians, finally recognize that this battle was significant to Canada—and remains significant to Canada. It remains part of our culture, our history and our pride as Canadians.
It all started here. Let’s finish the battle.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
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