In July 2022 I did a weekend battlefield tour of Quebec City.
While there, I visited Maison Vezina, a farmhouse commandeered by General James Wolfe to serve as his HQ during the Campaign in Quebec in 1759.
The building was erected in 1720 and restored by the Township of Boischatel, its current owner.
Overlooking the St. Lawrence and a 10-minute walk from Montmorency Falls, Maison Vezina has been beautifully restored to its original state.
Despite the historical significance of the building, there was no plaque anywhere on the property recognizing it as General Wolfe’s HQ from July until September 1759.
I contacted Major Bolton at Regimental HQ, and with his permission, I reached out to Daniel Boudreault, the Town Clerk in Boischatel.
I wrote a letter explaining the history of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Regiment, and that we would like to erect a monument to General Wolfe on the site.
After securing the approval of Mayor and Council, Major Bolton and Major Chapman our Regimental Historian and I had several calls to discuss the logistics of the Project.
We decided on an engraved stone with a date of September 11, 2022 to hold the Ceremony, 2 days before the Anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and less than 2 weeks after the Battle of Montmorency.
When Major Bolton had difficulty securing the stone in Quebec, I offered to take on the task.
We secured a beautiful granite stone in Oshawa where I live, and had it engraved using the artwork of our talented designer Camille Yip Hoi.
On September 9, VS Hart from York Garrison and myself had the 358 lb stone loaded into the trunk of my car, and we headed to Quebec City.
With the Mayor and Council, local dignitaries, Major Bolton and Major Stairs along with a piper, musket man and drummer from the Quebec Garrison, we lifted the plaid to unveil the stone on September 11th.
Afterwards we all enjoyed wine and appies in Maison Vezina.
I can’t say enough about the support and co operation provided by the staff and elected representatives from Boischatel. They were wonderful.
Special thanks to Major Bolton, Major Chapman, Major Stairs, Camille and VS Hart for helping make this a memorable event and allowing the Regiment to honour our General.
Captain Nicholson
October 7, 2022
Photos of 78th Frasers
