Sir Frederick Dobson Middleton

Middleton, Sir Frederick Dobson

  Sir Frederick Dobson Middleton, soldier (b at Belfast, Ire 2 Nov 1825; d at London, Eng 25 Jan 1898). Middleton was educated at Sandhurst and commissioned in the 58th Regiment in 1842. His early service was in Australia, Norfolk Island and New Zealand, and he distinguished himself during suppression of the Indian Mutiny. After stationing in England, Gibraltar and Malta, he came to Canada in 1868 with the 29th Regiment and remained as an instructor with the Canadian Militia and then was commandant 1874-84 of Sandhurst. In July 1884 he was appointed commander of the Canadian Militia, and to him fell the task of organizing and leading the expedition during the NORTH-WEST REBELLION of 1885. The organization was accomplished with speed and efficiency, but after an initial brush with the rebels at Fish Creek, Middleton became cautious and his tactics at the decisive battle of BATOCHE were ponderous. Nevertheless the campaign was successfully concluded and a grateful Canadian Parliament voted Middleton a monetary award, while the British government made him a KCMG and promoted him lieutenant-general. He retired in 1890, but his plans to take over the presidency of a Canadian insurance company were spoiled by a minor scandal involving the misappropriation of furs during the North-West Rebellion. In 1896 he was appointed keeper of the crown jewels, Tower of London.