Name/Title
1814 - Battle of Chateauguay - A 1848 British Military General Service Medal (MGSM) named to Captain Stephen McKay - Battle of Chateauguay 2nd Select Embodied Militia (SEM), an antecedent unit of The Canadian Grenadier Guards.Description
Example medal belonging to Captain Stephen McKay - 2nd Select Embodied Militia - Authenticity not confirmed.
A total of 31 M.G.S. medals with ‘Chateauguay’ clasp issued to officers of Canadian units.
Stephen McKay was the son of Samuel McKay, late Royal Americans (60th). He served with the Royal Canadian Volunteers as an Ensign from 1798 until 1802. He was promoted Captain on 25 May 1812, and served with the 2nd battalion, Select Embodied Militia of Lower Canada at Chateauguay. He was later acting 1st Major of the 8th battalion, Militia of the Three Rivers Division.
It should be noted that one of the active units from the War of 1812 now perpetuated by us, the 2nd. Battalion Select Embodied Militia were also presented colours, personally authorized by HRH, The Prince Regent in 1815 for their active service during the war. Sadly, these colours have since disappeared and are now lost to history. The bulk of this unit, along with the Militia Light Infantry, another active unit perpetuated today by the CGG, fought at the Battle of Chateauguay, amongst other places, which earned for us two Battel Honours - Defense of Canada 1812-15 and Chateauguay. The so-called flank companies of the 2SEM played a decisive role with indigenous allies in throwing back a flank attack by the Americans at heavy cost to them.
The Select Embodied Militia, much like the Canadian Expeditionary Force of WW1, were full time uniformed soldiers recruited from the Sedentary Militia for the duration of the war. They were fully trained to the high standards of the British Army, arguably the best trained infantry in the world at that time and dressed appropriately in red coats. Chateauguay was considered one of the three most strategic victories of the War of 1812. It soundly defeated with minimal casualties a major US Army headed directly to take Montreal. And it was fought entirely by Canadians, both French and English speaking, aided only by indigenous allies and led by a Canadian officer Col. CHARLES-MICHEL DRUMBERRY DE SALABERRY; No British troops actually fought at Chateauguay. It was a uniquely Canadian victoryContext
Sold at auction by Dix Noonan Webb on 14th April 2021Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
January 2, 2022Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
September 4, 2025
