Two pieces of military history from more than 200 years ago have never been on permanent display until now.
Captain Scott Paterson and Lieutenant Zig Misiak presented the Butlers Rangers Colors – comprised of the regimental flag and king’s flag – to the Canadian Military Heritage Museum in Brantford on Monday.
“The Butlers Rangers Colors were replicated and donated by Lorne Butler, a direct descendant of John Butler,” said Misiak, noting that the originals are thought to have been destroyed at Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1813. “His home was burned , and the colors were important enough he would have had them in his home.”
The flags measure six feet by six feet, with one bearing the Cross of St. George, while the second is the King’s Colours. Both bear the Rangers emblem in the center.
“Butlers Rangers were formed during the American Revolution in 1777 as a British Loyalist Regiment,” Misiak explained. “They were composed of loyalists from all walks of life and fought until the end of the Revolution.”
He said many migrated north of the Great Lakes along with Six Nations allies to settle in Upper and Lower Canada at the end of the revolution in 1783.
“The Grand River Six Nations people allied to the Crown fought very closely alongside the Butlers Rangers, including the well-known Captain Joseph Brant,” Misiak noted.
Today’s Butlers Rangers consist of about 25 members who have been re-enacting history for more than 40 years at historic sites throughout the United States and in Ontario.
“It’s wonderful that we have something preserving the heritage, going back more than 200 years,” said Bob Ion, chair of the Canadian Military Heritage Museum. “The War of 1812 was significant to southern Ontario, and we’re pleased to have a piece of memorabilia that relates to it.”
Ion said he’s thrilled about the addition to the collection of the flags, which will add some color to the Greenwich Street museum.
“We’ll make sure it’s visible and people can relate to the rich military heritage of Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations.”