The story of the circumstances under which this title was earned is worthy of reproduction. The company in question was originally No. 8 of the 7th Battalion, but in the year 1819, No. 7 Company being reduced, No. 8 became No. 7. Under the altered nomenclature of 1859, it became and now is
No. 2 Battery, 5th Brigade.
In the year 1808 the company was quartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In December of that year it was ordered on an expedition for the capture of Martinique; forming part of the force under Sir George Prevost, which included the 7th Fusiliers, 8th King's, and 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
The force arrived at Martinique on the 30th January, 1809, and remained brigaded together during the attack, quite distinct from the West Indian division under General Maitland, which had arrived in company with Admiral Cochrane and his fleet. On the 2nd February, 1809, the French met the Halifax brigade under General Prevost, about half-way between the bay where they landed and the town, but were driven back with considerable loss. In one day, this company prepared and armed a battery of six 24-pounders, and four 10-inch mortars, and opened fire on the day following. On the 24th February the Garrison capitulated, for "the British Artillery was so well served, that most of the Fort guns were quickly dismounted."[[62]] The officers of the company were assembled by the General to consult as to what should be bestowed on the company as a reward of bravery and good conduct. It was first contemplated to give a one-pounder French gun, beautifully mounted, but the officers, knowing that the company was about to return to Halifax, and a war with America likely to take place, when they would be unable to take the gun with them, chose an axe and a brass drum. A brass eagle was affixed to the axe, which was always carried by the tallest man in the company, who in virtue of his office was permitted to wear a moustache.
This version of the story was committed to paper by one who was present with the company at Martinique, Master-Gunner Henry McElsander, who joined it three years after the amalgamation, and remained in it until promoted to be Sergt.-Major at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. It is completely corroborated by the Records of the Seventh Battalion, from which the further history of the company may be obtained. It returned to Halifax in April, and remained in that station until May, 1813, when it sailed for Quebec. It served in the campaigns of 1813 and 1814 in Canada. In the winter of the former year it was collected in Kingston, Upper Canada, watching the enemy. Acting-Bombardier James Keating, being detached with seven gunners to Michilimackinac, distinguished himself in an affair with the enemy, and his conduct was rewarded by a commission from the Provincial Government. The company was present at the operations against Fort Erie in August, 1814, and at the enemy's attack on the English position before that place on the 17th September. It was also engaged in the defence of the Log Bridge on the Chippawa. The two officers present with the company during these hostilities, Captain Walker and Lieutenant Carter,[[63]] were specially mentioned in despatches, and received permission to wear "Niagara" on their appointments. The company returned to Woolwich in 1823, and in 1831 again proceeded on foreign service to the West Indies, whence it returned in 1837. Its only additional foreign service prior to the introduction of the Brigade system was at Gibraltar, where it served from January, 1845 to January, 1851, and to which station it again proceeded in May, 1855.
The history, present designation, and succession of Captains, of all the companies, will now be given.
No. 1 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION,
Now "C" BATTERY, 1st BRIGADE.
| Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged. | |
| 1803 | Capture of the French, Danish, and Dutch possessions. |
| 1809 | Reduction of Fort Dasaix. |
| 1809 | Reduction of Martinique. |
| 1810 | Expedition to Guadaloupe. |
| 1855 | Expedition to the Crimea. |
| List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859. | |
| 1794 | Captain George Lindsay. |
| 1804 | Captain Edmund Curry. |
| 1804 | Captain H. Douglas. |
| 1804 | Captain Richard S. Brough. |
| 1812 | Captain George Forster. |
| 1816 | Captain J. Bettesworth. |
| 1817 | Captain Charles Gilmour. |
| 1821 | Captain W. T. Skinner. |
| 1829 | Captain James Evans. |
| 1831 | Captain Francis Haultain. |
| 1843 | Captain John Dyson. |
| 1844 | Captain J. Sydney Farrell. |
| 1844 | Captain Hy. H. D. O'Brien. |
| 1846 | Captain H. C. Stace. |
| 1854 | Captain E. H. Fisher. |