Fort Henry Guard

The Fort Henry Guard
Fort Henry Guard Drums
Active	1938-Present
Country	Canada
Branch	Civilian Reenactment
Type	Line Infantry
Size	Two Sub-Units
Garrison/HQ	Fort Henry
Motto(s)	Merentur Etiam (We also serve)
March	Quick March: British Grenadiers Slow March: The Maple Leaf Forever "Alternate March": Signal March
Mascot(s)	David the XIth

The Fort Henry Guard (FHG) is a military reenactment organization based at Fort Henry, a national historic site in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It has recreated the British military tradition of a bygone era since its founding in 1938. The Guard seeks to interpret in an entertaining and animated manner, a snapshot of life in the British Army of Queen Victoria, when Canada was part of the British Empire. Guard members dress in the standard line infantry uniforms of a British regiment and the standard gunner's uniforms of the Royal Artillery in the year 1867, but the Guard does not represent any specific infantry regiment that garrisoned the fort.

The Fort Henry Guard consists primarily of university, college and high school students from the Kingston area. It is an entirely civilian organization with no formal ties to the Canadian Forces. Historical reenactment events are presented from May to October.

The Fort Henry Guard was founded in 1938 by Ronald L. Way, after Fort Henry was restored as part of a government-sponsored work program during the Great Depression. During the Second World War, the fort was used by the Canadian military as a prisoner of war camp. The Guard ceased to exist during this time, and many of the original members of the Fort Henry Guard served overseas. The fort reopened as a living museum in 1948, and the Fort Henry Guard has manned the fort every summer since.

The Guard has performed at numerous events and ceremonies in Canada and abroad since its founding, most notably the Royal Tournament in England. Performing with the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and Silent Drill Platoon both at their barracks in Washington D.C. and in Fort Henry itself is one of the most famous events in which the Guard has been involved. The Guard also annually performs the 1812 Overture with the Kingston Symphony, uniquely combining magnificent music with rousing artillery fire. Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip and many other noted visitors from around the world have expressed their appreciation for Fort Henry and the Fort Henry Guard.