Brock’s military career started at the age of 15 when he joined the 8th Regiment of Foot in 1785 with the rank of ensign. He rose to the rank of captain and transferred to the 49th Regiment of Foot in 1791, eventually purchasing the position of lieutenant-colonel of the regiment in 1798. In 1802, Brock and the 49th were ordered to Canada. Although Brock earnestly wished to be in Europe to fight Napoleon, he returned to Canada after a short leave in England in the winter of 1805. He was promoted to colonel and assumed command of all British forces in Canada. He was instrumental in preparing for the defense of Canada through the expansion of trained and supervised volunteer forces, as well as the use of British regulars and native warriors hostile to American expansion. Relations between the United States and Britain continued to deteriorate until war finally broke out in 1812. Brock swiftly attacked, resulting in successes at Fort Mackinac and Detroit in 1812, but was killed leading his men in a counterattack on American Forces at Queenston Heights in October of that same year.