South African War (Draft)
The South African War—also called the Boer War—was Canada’s first foreign military engagement under the British Empire. It lasted from 1899 to 1902. This war tested the young Canadian nation and its willingness to contribute to global affairs.
(The Monterey leaving Halifax with Strathcona Horse for South Africa).
The two Boer republics, Transvaal and Orange Free State, were nearly surrounded by British territory. In 1899 Afrikaners—descendants of Protestant Dutch, French and German settlers—resisted British attempts to seize land that held the valuable gold fields. With one of the greatest armies in the world at that time, the British assumed that the Boer people would not pose a challenge. Britain justified its military action by arguing that it would “civilize” the Boer population.
Phase One: Boer Offensive (October 1899–January 1900)
Knowing that the British were planning to seize their territory, Boer fighters led several successful offensives in Cape Colony and other British-held territories. The towns were besieged and caught the British forces by surprise, earning several early victories for the Boer fighters.
(Boer commandos riding through a recently captured town.)
In Canada there was much debate over whether to get involved in international affairs. Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier eventually bowed to public pressure and agreed to send a small, volunteer force to South Africa. The first Canadian contingent consisted of 1,000 soldiers and four nurses. Those numbers would grow to more than 7,000 volunteers including 12 Nursing Sisters over the course of the war.
Canada’s most experienced Lieutenant-Colonel, William Dillon Otter, was put in command of the virtually untrained volunteers. Since Canada didn’t have a navy, commercial ships were hastily renovated for transport. The ships were cramped and lacked sanitation; many soldiers died on the month-long journey to South Africa or on the long journey home. Nurse, Lieutenant Georgina Fane Pope, treated the many soldiers who contracted enteric fever on the voyage. Many soldiers died of fever en route or after their service. As many as 135 men died of disease during the war.
(Canadian soldiers shipping off to South Africa.)
Phase Two: Commonwealth Counteroffensive (February–June 1900)
With reinforcements and new leadership, the British-led forces launched a counteroffensive which turned the tide of the war in their favour. The Commonwealth forces achieved several key victories, including the Battle of Belmont (pictured above) and capturing the two Boer capitals, Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Phase Three: Guerilla Warfare (July 1900–May 1902)
Throughout the war, the Boers’ relentless guerrilla warfare demonstrated how a mobile force of local fighters could be effective. It gave the world an early look at guerilla tactics and for the first time people saw how a small, fast-moving units could overpower massed armies. The Boer strategy extended the war with both sides suffering significant losses. However, the Boers were eventually forced to negotiate for peace, resulting in the Treaty of Vereeniging in May 1902.
(Boer fighters depicted in a restored photo. Afrikaner commandos.)
The toll of war for Canadians was 264 dead and 252 wounded. Total Commonwealth casualties were 120,000. In contrast, the Boers lost 25,000, including women and children who died in British concentration camps. Another 17,000 Black Africans perished. More than half of all deaths were caused by disease, poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. (Pictured here, a painting of British soldiers under attack.)
Horses, like their riders, arrived from all corners of the Commonwealth. After spending many weeks on ships, the horses were given little time to rest or get used to the dry African climate and hot temperatures. The animals were often overloaded with supplies and many of their caretakers had little experience. In these harsh conditions, military horses often survived only six weeks in South Africa.
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel B. Steele (1849-1919)
Samuel B. Steele was an officer of the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP), head of the Yukon detachment during the Klondike Gold Rush, facilitated the signing of Treaty 6 and 7, and participated in the 1885 North-West Resistance. In the eyes of the NWMP Commissioner, this made him the “best man in Canada” to command the Canadian Lord Strathcona’s Horse Regiment in the South African War. His unit was effective against Boer guerilla attacks, winning the approval of British high command. Steele received numerous honours for his service in South Africa. After the war, he served in Calgary and Winnipeg, building up and training militia units.
Lieutenant Hampden Zane Churchill Cockburn was born on November 19, 1867, in Toronto, Ontario. He left his law practice to join the Royal Canadian Dragoons at the start of the South African War, fought in 45 battles and earned the Queen’s South African medal.
He received the Victoria Cross for his bravery at the Battle of Liliefontein on November 7, 1900. He and his men served as the rearguard for a troop column, facing heavy fire from Boers. Despite being wounded, Cockburn led his unit and managed to protect vital artillery pieces, although all his men were either killed, injured or captured.
He was later awarded a sword of honour from the Toronto city council and was appointed a major in the Governor General’s Bodyguard. Cockburn moved to Saskatchewan, where he operated a ranch in the Maple Creek area.
Georgina Fane Pope (1862-1938) was a pioneering Canadian nurse who made significant contributions to the development of Canadian military nursing. In 1899, she was Superintendent of the South African Nursing Contingent—all four original nurses held rank, pay and allowance relative to a military Lieutenant. In 1908, she was appointed first Matron of the Canadian Army Nursing Corps and carried the rank of Captain. Nurse Pope received numerous medals for her contributions and paved the way for future women in the military.
(Nurse Pope in nursing and military uniform.)
(Nurse Pope’s bust in Confederation Square, Ottawa.)
Superintendent Pope’s extraordinary leadership during the South African War was recognized by the British government. She was the first Canadian to receive the Royal Red Cross 1st class medal.
Superintendent Pope also received a locket from the City of Ottawa for her outstanding contributions in South Africa.
Post-War Sentiments
Canadians in the Boer War distinguished themselves on foreign soil for the first time. They gained a reputation for bravery and effectiveness, impressing British generals and establishing themselves as equals to professional British regiments. However, French- and Anglo-Canadians remained divided on whether to support a British war.
South African War Veteran Association (SAWVA) of Great Britain was created after the war to keep former comrades in touch with each other through reunions, meetings, and other commemorative events. Similar associations were formed throughout the Commonwealth to help distressed South African War veterans and their dependents. Below is an exhortation recited at a memorial ceremony in Britain:
Will you come with me in silent thought to the battlefields of South Africa, to the lonely graves scattered over the veldt, and to the thousands of those who had died of wounds, disease and sickness since that Great Adventure.
(South African War Memorial in Canada.)
(Memorial stones of three Canadians lost in the South African War.)
Honouring the Canadian Armed Forces and its members past and present
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