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The War - An Overview

The war can be divided into three phases. The first phase was from October 1899 to January 1900 and during this phase the Boers had several impressive victories. The second phase, from February to June 1900 began when Britain launched a counter-offensive and captured Pretoria, the capital of Transvaal. Canadians distinguished themselves most notably at the Battle of Paardeburg in February 1900. This was seen as a major Boer defeat and was the first time Canadians (2 RCRI) saw battle, and has also been hailed as a great national triumph for Canada. The Canadian losses consisted of 18 dead and 68 wounded on the first day of battle, February 18, 1900. The third and longest phase was from the fall of 1900 until the end, in May 1902. During the Battle of Lillefontein in November 1900, there was more significant Canadian involvement. It was during this battle in the South African War, that three of the four Victoria Cross (VC) medals were awarded to Canadians. They were awarded to three members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons: Lieutenant Hampden Z.C. Cockburn, Lieutenant Richard E.W. Turner, and Sergeant Edward J.G. Holland for their acts of bravery. The fourth VC was awarded to Sergeant Arthur H.L. Richardson, of the Lord Strathcona Horse, for his part in battle at Wolwespruit, Standerton. In addition, two Canadians received unique awards for heroism. Private R.R. Thompson, a medical orderly, was twice nominated for the Victoria Cross although he never received the medal. Queen Victoria, learning of this, knitted a wool scarf for him and others whose bravery had not been recognized - the rarest recognition for bravery ever awarded to a Canadian. A dozen Canadian nurses served with British Medical Units. The Head Nurse, Georgina Fane Pope, from Charlottetown, PEI, received the Royal Red Cross - the first Canadian to receive this distinction.

The war ended with the Treaty of Vereeniging on May 31, 1902, and in return for the surrender of their independence, the Boers negotiated certain commitments from the British. This included, among other things, the eventual self government of the Boers and the provision of generous relief to the victims of war.