Garrison life in Victorian Halifax: Public houses

Soldiers and beer! This was the lot of your average soldier in the garrison.
Alexander Keith, who was a major brewer, make a lucrative business suppling the British Army with India Pale Ale, and other beers to thirsty soldier.
Since Halifax was an important seaport for trade, RUM was also a major source of jollification.
However, as is usually the case, drink and vice came hand in hand.

Most of the historical information found in this posting comes from my reenacting experience as part of the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association, portraying a 78th Highlander, and 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery gunner. As well, Cuthbertson's The Halifax Citadel: Portrait of a Military Fortress (Formac, Halifax, 2001)

One of the more interesting stories we would tell the public while working as a 78th Highlander and RA gunner, was the fact that soldiers would get involved in brawls. The soldier belt, the one we had to constantly buff up with whitner, and polish the brass on, was used as a nasty little weapon in brawls.

To combat this, Oland and Sons, established breweries supplying beer to the army and navy for their messes and smoking rooms. By doing this, the officers were better able to control their soliders and sailors.

Garrison life in Victorian Halifax: SPORTS

To be blunt, Halifax can be a pretty dreary place in the middle of winter. Its cold, lots of snow, and being next to the ocean, can be drapped in fog.
The officers and men of the garrison had to find ways to fight the tedium of boredom. They established several sporting clubs.

From Cutherbertson's The Halifax Citadel: Portrait of a Military Fortress, (Formac, Halifax, 2001)

The main sport which seemed to occupy the garrison, that of the lower ranks was football, or soccer. The garrison grounds at the foot of Citadel Hill provided ample space for surch pursuits.

In the summer months, the officers were interested in horseback riding. Flat racing, began in 1825, where a course would be set out on the Halifax commons, behind Citadel Hill.

The Halifax Polo Club was established by the officers in 1889. Prince George, later George V while a Naval officer, spent several summers on the Halifax station and helped to ensure the popularity of this sport.

Cricket, Rugby, and football (known today as soccer) were all played by officers and men alike.

To help the soldiers find more suitable ways to pass the time, a garrison gymnasium, recreation room was built.

The Crimean War

 This war would have had veterans in Nova Scotia, there is a monument to two of them at the old burial grounds in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Thanks to the producers of this documentary.

The Boer War 1899- 1902: Part 4 of 4

 final episode

The Boer War 1899- 1902: Part 3 of 4

 part 3, important to remember everything about this conflict

The Boer War 1899- 1902: Part 2 of 4

 Part two of this series, thanks to those who produced this.

The Boer War 1899 - 1902: Part 1 of 4

 Canadian troops were sent to South Africa to help the British. Australian, and New Zealand troops were also sent.

Ensign from Boer War presented to army museum

 A Canadian Forces news story about a colour which was in the Boer War

The Last Fenian Raid (1989) Bordertown. Richard Comar, John H. Brennan ...

 From a Canadian TV show in the 1980s, using the Fenians raids as a plot for an episode.

fenian-raids-old-forterie-2011.mp4

 Fort Henry Guard and other reenactors show the Fenians raids on Canada.