Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part II)

Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1866 (Sm. E. J. Hobson, Toronto Naval Bde.) extremely fine and rare £350-400

Edward J. Hobson is confirmed on the published roll as one of just 40 men of the Toronto Naval Brigade to receive the above described Medal and clasp.

The crew forming the complement of the steam tug Rescue reported for duty on Sunday 3 June 1866, and by mid-day 4 June this ship's company had placed 67 tons of coal aboard, mounted a 32-pound gun on the main deck and placed pyramidal piles of round shot projectiles conveniently alongside for quick action. A few days later a second vessel was chartered, the ferry steamer Michigan. Captain McMaster and his crew were relieved of duty aboard Rescue and sent to Toronto to fit out the Magnet for lake service. The Rescue and Michigan were henceforth to be manned by R.N. officers and ratings, respectively commanded by Lieutenants Henry J. Fairlie and F. W. B. H. M. Heron, both from H.M.S. Aurora. Each vessel was manned with about seven other officers, 90 seamen and 22 marines, also from Aurora, all armed with rifles, cutlasses, revolvers and dirks. Each vessel now carried two Armstrong 9- and 12-pounders guns and full supplies of ammunition.