Boer War

There were two Boer wars, one from December 16,1880-March 23,1881 and the second from October 11, 1899-May 311902 both between the British and the settlers of Dutch, French and German origin (called Boers, Afrikaners or Voortrekkers) in South Africa that put an end to the two independent republics that they had founded.

Commonwealth involvement

The vast majority of troops fighting for the United Kingdom, came from the UK or South Africa. However, in the Second Boer War (South Africa War) a number did come from other parts of the empire. These countries had their own internal disputes over whether they should remain tied to the United Kingdom, or have full independence, which carried over into the debate over whether they should send forces to assist the United Kingdom. Although, not fully independent on foreign affairs, these countries did have local say over how much support to provide, and the manner it would be provided in. Ultimately, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all chose to send volunteers to aid the United Kingdom, but did not send them in sufficient size and speed to be critical in the final outcome.

Related Topics:
Canada - Australia - New Zealand

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Canada

At first Canadian Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier tried to keep Canada out of the war.

Related Topics:
Wilfrid Laurier - Canada

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=feature/100africa

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Canadian Government was divided between those, primarily French Canadians, who wished to stay out of the war and others, primarily English Canadians, who wanted to join with Britain in her fight. In the end, Canada agreed to support the British by providing volunteers, equipment and transportation to South Africa. Britain would be responsible for paying the troops and returning them to Canada at the end of their service. The Boer War marked the first occasion in which large contingents of Canadian troops served abroad.

Related Topics:
French Canadian - English Canadian

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Battle of Paardeburg in February 1900 was the first time Canadians saw battle abroad.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ultimately, over 7,000 Canadians volunteered to fight in the South African War. However, not all saw action since many landed in South Africa after the hostilities ended while others performed garrison duty in Halifax, Nova Scotia so that their British counterparts could join at the front. Approximately 277 Canadians died in the South Africa War, 89 men were killed in action, 135 died of disease, the remainder of accident or injury; and 252 were wounded.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Australia

As part of the British Empire, the Australian colonies offered troops for the war in South Africa.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/boer.htm

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At least 12,000 Australians served in contingents raised by the six colonies or (from 1901) by the new Australian Commonwealth (about a third of men enlisting twice), and many more joined British or South African colonial units in South Africa. At least 600 Australians died in the war, about half from disease and half in action.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Australians served mostly in mounted units formed in each colony, often known as "mounted rifles", "bushmen" or "imperial bushmen". They fought in both the British counter-offensive of 1900 which resulted in the capture of the Boer capitals, and in the long, weary guerrilla phases of the war lasting until 1902. Colonial troops were valued for their ability to "shoot and ride", and they performed well in the open war on the veldt. Some of these troops formed the core of the Australian Lighthorsemen regiments later sent to the Middle East in World War I. Australians at home generally supported the Boer war, but as it dragged on became disenchanted, especially as they became aware of its effects on Boer civilians, through cases such as the conviction and execution of Lieutenants Breaker Morant and Handcock in 1902.

Related Topics:
Australian Lighthorsemen - Middle East - World War I - Breaker Morant

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

New Zealand

When the Second Boer War seemed imminent, New Zealand offered its support.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/Gallery/SAW/hist.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On 28 September 1899 Prime Minister Richard Seddon asked Parliament to approve the offer to the imperial government of a contingent of mounted rifles and the raising of such a force if the offer were accepted. The British position in the dispute with the Transvaal was 'moderate and righteous', he maintained. He stressed the 'crimson tie' of Empire which bound New Zealand to the 'Mother-country' and the importance of a strong British Empire for the colony's security.

Related Topics:
Richard Seddon - Parliament

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In many ways the South African war set the pattern for New Zealand's later involvement in the two world wars. Specially raised units, consisting mainly of volunteers, were despatched overseas to serve with forces from elsewhere in the British Empire. The success enjoyed by the New Zealand troops fostered the idea that New Zealanders were naturally good soldiers, who required only a modicum of training to perform creditably

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~