HISTORY OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT OF FENCIBLE INFANTRY War with the new French Republic strained Britain's military resources to the utmost. It was decided, therefore, to raise a body of regular soldiers in Newfoundland to provide for the defence of England's oldest colony. On 25 April 1795, Major Thomas Skinner, R.E. was authorized to raise the Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry, sometimes called the Royal Newfoundland Regiment (Skinner's Fencibles). The Royal Newfoundland Regiment was posted to Halifax in July 1800, and was disbanded there on 31 July 1802, when the British Army was reduced according to the terms of the Treaty of Amiens. With the resumption of hostilities between England and France in 1803, the recently disbanded colonial regiments of fencibles were reactivated. On 7 June 1803, Brigadier-General John Skerrett was authorized to raise a regiment of fencibles for service in America. It was to consist of one grenadier company, one light company, and eight battalion companies, each composed of five sergeants, five corporals, two drummers, and 95 privates. In pay, clothing, arms, and accoutrements, the regiment was to be on the same footing as His Majesty's regiments of the line, and was designated the Royal Newfoundland Fencible Infantry. Through vigorous recruiting, the Regiment was 385 strong by Christmas 1803, and by June 1805 it had reached 683 men. On 19 June 1805, the Regiment exchanged stations with the Nova Scotia Fencibles, and sailed for Halifax to begin 10 years of service in Canada. After spending a year in garrison at Fort Anne, Nova Scotia, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment moved to Halifax in August 1806, and then to Quebec in September 1807 to strengthen the forces in Lower Canada. As war approached, it became apparent to Major-General Brock and Sir George Prevost that control of the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes was vital to the security of Upper Canada. However, naval resources were meager. On 9 May 1812, to help overcome the shortage of manpower, the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles was ordered to form five companies for service as seamen and marines with the naval squadrons on the Great Lakes. Late in May, 360 men left for Kingston, where they were posted in detachments to the ships of the Provincial Marine. When war against the Americans was formally declared on 18 June 1812, the flank companies were withdrawn from the Regiment and, in August, were sent to Kingston under the command of Major Heathcote. Elements of the Royal Newfoundlanders soon became involved in action around Detroit, as the Americans attempted to mount an attack on Upper Canada. The detachment under Captain Mockler, serving as seamen aboard the General Hunter and the Queen Charlotte, were brought ashore to participate in the assault on Fort Detroit. The Newfoundlanders were awarded a special commendation from General Brock on the fall of Detroit. By the end of 1812, the Regiment was scattered in detachments to Quebec, Prescott, Kingston, Fort George, and York. The largest group of the Regiment was a detachment of 111 all ranks, which formed part of the garrison of Fort George at the mouth of the Niagara River. The Americans attacked the fort in the early morning of 27 May 1813. The grenadier company of the Royal Newfoundlanders formed part of the small force of 200 defenders at the point of the original assault-landings. Attacked in overwhelming strength, the British force gradually fell back to Fort George; the grenadier company lost 21 men killed and 12 wounded, including both its officers. A further 100 men of the Regiment served as marines with the Lake Erie Squadron under the command of Captain Robert Barclay, R.N. These Newfoundlanders suffered 14 killed and 25 wounded - twenty eight per cent of the total British casualties - in the naval Battle of Lake Erie fought on 10 September 1813. In 1814, a detachment of Newfoundlanders carried out a remarkable operation that demonstrated their capability and determination both ashore and on the water. Two companies were ordered to reinforce the isolated British post of Michilimackinac. This involved building a fleet of small open boats and sailing them from Georgian Bay to the northwestern end of Lake Huron. The Royal Newfoundlanders reached their destination in a month. Early in August, the post was attacked by troops landed from an American naval squadron. The garrison not only beat off the attack, but the Newfoundlanders and a naval detachment took to the water in four small boats and captured the American ships Tigress and Scorpion in a daring night operation. In June 1814, the Regiment began to return to St. John's by detachments, to be replaced by the Nova Scotia Fencibles. The Royal Newfoundland Fencible Infantry garrisoned St. John's until orders were received for the reduction of all fencible corps in North America. The Regiment was formally disbanded on 24 June 1816. In 2012, the modern day Royal Newfoundland Regiment was awarded the Battle Honours “DETROIT”, “MAUMEE”, and “DEFENCE OF CANADA 1812-1815”.
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