This plaque was unveiled in memory of Colonel Darby Bergin, MD, MP and first Commanding Officer of the Stormont and Glengarry Battalion of Infantry.
Bergin was born in York (Toronto) and received his medical degree from McGill College in Montreal, following which, he practiced medicine in Cornwall. Bergin was elected Member of Parliament in 1872.
Colonel Bergin’s military career began in 1850 as the Regimental Surgeon for the 3rd Battalion, Stormont Militia. In 1851, he was with the 4th Battalion, Stormont Militia. He served in the 1st Volunteer Militia Rifle Company of Cornwall as Regimental Surgeon from 1858 until 1862.
In 1862, he became the officer in charge of the Cornwall Infantry Company. During the Trent Affair (1862), he raised the 1st Rifle Company in Cornwall serving as commanding officer with the rank of Captain. This marked his change in role from surgeon to infantry commander. He was promoted major in 1866.
On 3 July 1868 with the creation of the 59th Stormont & Glengarry Battalion of Infantry, he became its first commanding officer. He was promoted lieutenant colonel in 1869 when the 59th was 439 strong with “a fair brass band of 12”. He held this appointment until 1885. The 59th Battalion is the precedent unit of today’s Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders.
In 1885, he became Canada’s first Surgeon General, laying the groundwork for the creation of a permanent medical corps.
After his death, Bergin was honoured with one of the largest public funerals ever held in Eastern Ontario.
