The Elgin Military Museum
Preserving the Past ... For the Future
The Boer War
1899 - 1902
The Boer War exhibit continues the chronological tour of the Museum from the War of 1812 room. Nineteen men from Elgin County were among the volunteers from a host of Canadian Regiments who rushed to join Canada’s contingent to fight the Boers (a colonial name given to the Dutch settlers by the British) in Orange Free State and the Transvaal who had declared war on Great Britain.
Three officers of the Elgin Regiment, so anxious were they for adventure and battle experience, actually relinquished their commissions and became privates to enlist in the 2nd Special Service Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment. Five of the 19 Elgin volunteers served with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles. Two members of the Elgin Contingent, W.J. Green and F.G. Stanbury, later became commanding officers of the Elgin Regiment, serving with distinction for many years. Lt. Col. Green commanded the 91st Battalion when it mobilized for overseas service in World War One, while Stanbury gained the distinction of serving in 3 wars, the Boer War, World War One, and World War Two.
Elgin soldiers saw battle at such places as Paardeberg, Diamond Hill, Driefontein and Orange River.
Fighting in the Boer War was particularly arduous against a tough and resourceful enemy skilled in guerrilla-type warfare. Conditions for the Canadian troops were also very difficult. Diaries disclosed that it was not all that uncommon for men to start on a long day of marching and fighting on a little more than a mug of tea. Often an evening meal was just a mug of tea and a biscuit. Frequently the troops were ordered to live off the land and there was much competition for stray farm animals and local game.
The Cost
The Boer war began in 1899 and lasted for 33 months. It was the bloodiest and most humiliating war fought by Britain between 1815 and 1914. At least 22,000 British (including members of the Canadian Special Service Force), 25,000 Boer and 12,000 African lives were lost in the conflict. The War ended on May 31, 1902 with the formal surrender of the Boers at Pretoria.
Found at elginmilitarymuseum.ca