United Kingdom. A Canada General Service Medal, Corporal Carson, 1st Prince of Wales’s Regiment

(Instituted January 1st, 1899). A circular silver medal, suspended from a double-toe claw attached to the center of the award with a slotted bar, suspended from its shortened period original ribbon with a “Fenian Raid 1870” clasp attached, the obverse depicting a leftward facing diademed and veiled effigy of Queen Victoria wearing the Order of the Garter and circumscribed by the name and title in Latin, the reverse depicting the ensign of Canada, floating in the breeze, surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves and surmounted by the word “Canada” in capital letters, officially impressed “Cpl. W. Carson. 1st. P. W. R.” on rim, measures 36.3 mm (w), worn on replacement ribbon with “FENIAN RAID 1866” clasp, dark patina, in very fine condition. 

Footnote: William Carson is on the Medal Roll for the Canadian General Service Medal Roll in the 1st Battalion, with Fenian Raid 1866 clasp. 

The 1st Prince of Wales’s Regiment of Volunteer Rifles (1st P.W.R.), a Montreal-based militia unit formed in 1862, was one of the principal volunteer regiments mobilized during the Fenian Raids of 1866. Composed largely of local volunteers, the regiment was placed on active service to defend the Canadian frontier when Irish-American Fenian forces threatened invasion from the United States. Though the 1st P.W.R. did not see direct combat, it performed valuable duties in patrolling, guarding key points around Montreal, and maintaining readiness against potential incursions. For their service, its members later qualified for the Canada General Service Medal with the “Fenian Raid 1866” clasp, recognizing their role in protecting Canada during this early test of national defence.