Boer War
Eighteen 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 were so anxious for
adventure and battle experience that they relinquished their
commissions and became privates in order 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.