Laura Secord

At the Valiants Memorial off of Wellington Street by Parliament’s East Block, a statue of Laura Secord stands amongst that of 13 others – heroes, all of them.

Secord’s statue, with her fine hands and resolute nose, lifts her dress off the ground as if to take the first step of the subject’s famous 30-kilometre trek which the statue commerates today. A careful observer may notice that, in contrast with popular legend, Secord’s statue embarks on her journey with shoes, and without a bovine companion.

During the War of 1812, Secord was the wife of a loyalist soldier who had been injured defending their hometown, which was then under American control.

On June 21, 1813, American officers planned an attack on a British outpost while dining at Secord’s home. Secord overheard the plan and took action; because her husband could not make the trek, she decided to warn the leader of the outpost, Lt. James Fitzgibbon, herself.

Over the years, the journey that ensued has been much debated and embellished. One historian said that Secord took a cow with her to remove suspicion should she be found tramping through the woods by an American sentry. Another story says that Secord made the 18-hour journey without shoes. These claims are almost undoubtedly false, but her lengthy journey through the woods has been confirmed and celebrated.

Having later in her journey come upon an aboriginal encampment loyal to the British, Secord persuaded the chief to take her to Fitzgibbon at Beaver Dams. Forewarned by Secord, Fitzgibbon put 400 aboriginal soldiers in place to ambush the Americans. On June 24, 462 American soldiers surrendered to Fitzgibbon, bringing the lieutenant much acclaim.

Although recognition for her heroic act was a long time coming, Secord is renowned today for making the victory at Beaver Dams possible.