Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum Insider's Look

First King’s Dragoon Guard Helmet

First King’s Dragoon Guard Helmet

This helmet belonged to Sergeant-Major Flanigan, who was born in North Ireland in 1810. Following the war of 1812, there were concerns about republican ideas spreading into Canada and the MacKenzie Rebellion in 1837 prompted an increased military presence to combat these threats. Flanigan, along with other members of the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards, were brought over from England to help put down Mackenzie’s Rebellion. The Dragoons were a heavy cavalry regiment who were renowned for their skill on horseback, and their attractive uniforms generated great interest among the citizens in the Niagara area.