This pastel portrait of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock attributed to Gerrit Schipper, portrays Brock in the uniform of an Officer in the British Army in Canada. Although born in Guernsey, Sir Isaac Brock is probably better known over 3,000 miles away in Canada. He was given the title of the 'Hero of Upper Canada' for his role defending Upper Canada (present-day Ontario) against the United States during the War of 1812. Brock arrived in Canada in 1802 while Lieutenant Colonel to the 49th (Hertfordshire) Regiment on Foot. While serving in Canada relationships between the United States and Britain were beginning to deteriorate, resulting in the War of 1812. When war broke out, Brock joined forces with Tecumseh, a chieftain of the Shawnee tribe against the U.S. They moved against Detroit on the Western frontier and gained control of the upper lakes. Brock then successfully defended Queenston Heights on the Niagara frontier, but was killed during battle. He became a legend, and as such many stories romanticising the battle developed. It was told that as he fell his last words were, "Never mind me - push on the York Volunteers".
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