Colonel Ralph Burton, a local man, fought with General Wolfe at the Battle of Quebec on 13th September 1759. He died in 1768 and his memorial is in the church.

Several modern road names off Southwood Road in Cottingham are named after this campaign. Burton Road is named after Colonel Burton, Wolfe Close and Montcalm Walk after the British and French commanders, who both died of wounds, Monkton Close, Murray Crescent and Townshend Drive after brigadiers who served under Wolfe and Canada Drive, Montreal Crescent, Ottawa Close, Quebec Drive and Lawrence Avenue after the region.

It was the culmination of the campaign in North America, during the Seven Years War. Militarily it was important because of the close co-operation between the army and navy, which set new standards.

The British victory was important in the subsequent history and development of North America. It freed the American colonies from the French threat. Subsequently they took a more independent attitude, which culminated in the Revolutionary War a generation later and the independence of the English speaking USA.

Canada remained loyalist and developed under British rule, but the French settlers remained and played an important part in the development of the country.

On Colonel Burton's memorial the war is described as 'rude and savage'. The novel 'The Last of the Mohicans' is based on an incident in that campaign.

From an article by Leonard Bean in 'Church & People' September 2009.

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography provides further information.