Who am I?– I was part of a wealthy, well-educated clan who were part of the
Canadian military and political elite, with roots that stretched back
to the United Empire Loyalists.
– My great-grandfather came to Upper Canada with Lord Simcoe in the
1790s.
– My grandfather fought with Gen. Isaac Brock in the War of 1812.
– My father built a baronial estate called Rusholme amid open fields
on the western edge of Toronto
– My family raised and supported the 1st Toronto Volunteer Cavalry, a
militia regiment.
– I was among the first class of 18 cadets who entered Kingston’s
the “Military College, Kingston” in 1876.
– I was the first one of that class to withdraw from RMC after
successfully completing two years of training and thus qualifying for
a Military Qualification (M.Q.) Certificate.
– I was awarded the Order of St. Michael and St. George for my
services in South Africa during the Boer War and the campaign medal-
Queen’s South Africa Medal with four clasps.
– I served as President of the RMC Club from 1891-1892.
– I was made an Honorary Brigadier-General of the Canadian militia in
1916
a. 6 Denison,
b. 7 Irving,
c. 8 Davis, or
d. 9 Des Brisay
Answer: 6 Denison
Background:
#6 General Septimus Junius Denison (RMC (1876-78) was among the first
class of 18 cadets who entered Kingston’s the “Military College,
Kingston” in 1876. This became the Royal Military College of Canada
in 1878. He was also the first one of that class to withdraw from
RMC. He had successfully completed two years of training and thus
qualified for a Military Qualification (M.Q.) Certificate. He
obtained a commission in the British army as 2nd Lt. King’s Own
Staffordshire Regiment on 21st Feb 1880. He was promoted to Lt. on
the 24th July 1880 in 4th Bn Staffordshire Regt and to Captain, 31
Dec 1881 in the 4th Bn Staffordshire Regt. He took an appointment in
the Canadian army as a Lieutenant with the Infantry School Corps on 7
June 1888. This Corps School later became the RCR. He became Brevet
Captain in the Canadian militia on 7 June 1892. He was promoted to
Major, South Staffordshire Regt on 4 June 1893. He became a Captain,
Royal Canadian Regiment 1 Sept 1899 the Regular Canadian army. He was
appointed Quartermaster of the 1st Canadian Continent South Africa in
1899. He received the Order of St. Michael and St. George for his
services in South Africa during the Boer War and was also awarded the
campaign medal-Queen’s South Africa Medal with four clasps. He was
promoted to brevet Lieut.-Col. in the Canadian militia on 1 Feb 1902
and to Major, RCR on 12 Nov 1904. He served as Chief Staff Officer,
Western Ontario from 1905-1910. He became Commandant of the Royal
Canadian Regiment 1 Sep. 1910. He was made an Honorary Brigadier-
General, Canadian militia 6 June 1916. He served as President of the
RMC Club from 1891-1892. He was part of a wealthy, well-educated clan
who were part of the Canadian military and political elite, with
roots that stretched back to the United Empire Loyalists. His great-
grandfather came to Upper Canada with Lord Simcoe in the 1790s. His
grandfather fought with Gen. Isaac Brock in the War of 1812. His
father, George Taylor Denison II, built a baronial estate called
Rusholme amid open fields on the western edge of Toronto, in what is
now the College and Dovercourt area. Septimus was one of nine
children and enjoyed all the advantages of his father’s wealth.
Today, Denison Rd., Rusholme Park Cres., Rusholme Rd., Heydon Park
Rd. and Dovercourt Rd. are all named after the family.
In addition to #6 Septimus Junius Denison Denison (1876-78), several
members of the Denison clan studied at RMC. We have #72 EEA Denison
(1879-81), #377 FC Denison (1893-95), #385 GW Denison (1894-98), #426
VD Denison (1897-00) and #425 WW Denison (1897-98)
Special thanks to E3161 Victoria Edwards (RMC ’03) & 8057 Ross McKenzie, (RMC 1970), RMC museum curator for providing the material and the research information for this Trivia.