The Brockville Rifles

January 13

1842:

The British Army suffered its worst disaster in the nineteenth century with the retreat from Kabul during the First Afghan War, which reached its bloody climax on 13 January. The retreat started from Kabul on 6 January, 4,500 British and Indian troops, with 12,000 camp followers setting out for Jalalabad under Major General Elphinstone. Harassed the whole way, with horrendous losses, the last survivors, mainly from the British 44th Foot, made a last stand at Gandamak near Jagdalak Pass. Only one man escaped the carnage, Dr William Brydon, the sole survivor of a small cavalry force that attempted to break out.  He reached the safety of Jalalabad on his badly wounded pony, which died as it reached the gate - the inspiration for Lady Butler's famous painting "The Remnants of an Army".

1871:

Le Regiment de Joliette is organized as 'The Joliette Provisional Battalion of Infantry'

1896:

The Honourable Alphonse Desjardins is appointed Minister of Militia and Defence

1940:

Belgium and Netherlands order "state of readiness" in expectation of German invasion

1942:

U-Boat offensive along US East coast begins