The South African War was the second of the so called Boer Wars, started by Boer citizenry against the British in South Africa. It would eventually lead to guerilla warfare, and it marked the first time that an official contingent of Canadian soldiers fought abroad.
A hat from a Canadian soldier placed to test a Boer sniper. Note the small hole at the top of the hat.
Wilfred Laurier was the prime minister at the time. The bonds of empire and questions at home about the idea of sending troops were questions that plagued him.
This is a life sized reproduction of a Canadian soldier of the war. The British had ceased use of the familiar red uniform and adopted tan khaki uniforms in the field. The photograph on the display panel below is a rarity: a photograph taken during battle at the time.
Paardeberg was one of the battles that Canadian soldiers took part in, and a victory.
Uniforms of the time.
It's the personal touches, common in the Museum, that catch my eye: a small bible or a pipe for smoking.
We finish today with rifles of the period.
That seems to be a largely forgotten war here with very few memorials that I know of.
ReplyDeleteHope we won't have to face any more war.
ReplyDeleteMuito interessante.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
It's amazing that we recruit and train young men to kill with such precision, and generally give them medals for doing it.
ReplyDelete...the Boer Wars is another of the many wars that I don't know much about.
ReplyDeleteSo sad.
ReplyDeleteI know very little of the Boer wars. This is very sad.
ReplyDeleteThat hat makes a thoughtful display.
ReplyDeleteThere is that large monument on University Ave here commemorating the end of that war but that is about all I know about it.
ReplyDelete@John: I strongly suspect that it's overlooked because of its proximity in time to the First World War.
ReplyDelete@Nancy: the current situation is worrying.
@Francisco: thanks.
@David: that is the case.
@Tom: it was not taught in school. I didn't learn about it until university.
@Magiceye: often the case.
@Jeanie: men far from home.
@Sharon: it's a good artifact.
@RedPat: I know that monument.
I hope no on was wearing that hat, the sniper had a good shot.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely.
DeleteThere seems to be much about the Boer war in our history. I'm not exactly sure of why it was so significant.
ReplyDeleteIt is obscure, but it did mark the first time Canadian soldiers went overseas into a conflict.
DeleteGreat historical post and exhibit ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thank you.
DeleteThat’s quite a hole in that hat and quite a test,
ReplyDeleteVery much so.
DeleteFrom one war to another, it seems to be an endless story.
ReplyDeleteAll too often it is.
DeleteThe hat is rather a gruesome momento.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteFrom war to war....
ReplyDeleteSo it seems.
DeleteSeeing that hat I think the sniper was a good shot.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Very good.
DeleteIn many ways, the beginning of our modern world
ReplyDeleteThat is true.
Delete