south african war

Events In History

Articles

South African War memorials

  • South African War memorials

    During the second half of the 19th century a tradition developed in Britain to erect war memorials to those who had died in foreign wars and had no grave at home.

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  • Page 3 – Further information

    This web feature was written by Jock Phillips and produced by the NZHistory.net.nz team. Links Memorials and monuments (Te Ara) Books

South African 'Boer' War

  • South African 'Boer' War

    The South African War of 1899-1902, often called the Boer War (sometimes the Second Boer War), was the first overseas conflict to involve New Zealand troops

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  • Page 2 – Origins of the conflict

    Overview of the origins of the South African (Boer) War and New Zealand's response to the outbreak of war between Britain and the Boers

  • Page 3 – The Boers

    The term Boer is derived from the Afrikaans word for farmer and was used to describe the people in southern Africa who traced their ancestry to Dutch, German and French

  • Page 4 – New Zealand's response

    New Zealand raised a contingent of mounted rifles for service in South Africa. The 215-man contingent left Wellington on 21 October 1899 and arrived in Cape Town more than a

  • Page 5 – Conditions in South Africa

    The New Zealanders who served in the South African War not only had to endure the stress of combat but also the harsh climate and landscape of southern Africa.

  • Page 6 – Key battles: 1899-1900

    A summary of key battles fought by New Zealand troops in South Africa, 1899-1900

  • Page 7 – Guerrilla war: 1901-1902

    A summary of the guerrilla war in which New Zealand troops helped fight Boer forces in South Africa, 1901-1902

  • Page 8 – Māori and the war

    Many Māori supported New Zealand's involvement in the South African War and some were willing to enlist. Although Māori were officially excluded from service in South Africa, a

  • Page 9 – The home front

    While most New Zealanders supported the war effort, elements of society opposed the presence of New Zealand troops in South Africa.

  • Page 10 – Further information

    Website links and books relating to New Zealand and the South African War

NZ units in South Africa 1899-1902

  • NZ units in South Africa 1899-1902

    Between 1899 and 1902 New Zealand sent 10 contingents of troops to fight in South Africa. Many of these men had prior experience in the volunteer forces but others were ordinary citizens who were skilled riders and marksmen. In addition, a small number of New Zealand women served in South Africa as teachers and as nurses. These are their stories.

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  • Page 2 – The contingents

    Information about the 10 New Zealand contingents that were raised for service during the South African War, 1899-1902

  • Page 3 – Women at war

    With New Zealand women having gained the right to vote in 1893, the South African War offered them a chance to further establish their independence. While many did this by

  • Page 4 – Kiwi stories

    Selected biographies of New Zealanders involved in the South African War.

  • Page 5 – Embarkation database

    Embarkation database containing the names, contingents, companies, registration numbers, ranks, embarkation details, addresses, next of kin and occupations of every New Zealand

  • Page 6 – Roll of honour

    The names of all the New Zealand soldiers who died in the South African (Boer) War, 1899-1902

  • Page 7 – Further information

    Website links and books relating to New Zealand and the South African War

Biographies

  • Bain, Wilhelmina Sherriff

    Wilhelmina Bain was a feminist and peace activist who gained notoriety for her outspoken views against New Zealand’s participation in the South African War.

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  • Callaway, John Walter

    John Walter Callaway (Wāta te Wahahuia) or Walter, as he was commonly known, is credited with being the first Māori to serve in the South African War.

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  • Rees, Lily

    Annie Lee Rees (or Lily) was one of the 20 New Zealand women selected to work as teachers for the Boer children living in the concentration camps in South Africa.

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  • Bradford, George Roland

    Born in Sussex, England in 1870, George Roland Bradford was the first member of a New Zealand military force to be killed while serving overseas.

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  • Coutts, Henry Donald

    Henry Coutts was one of four colonial soldiers to receive a woollen scarf knitted by Queen Victoria in recognition of an act of gallantry.

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  • At least twelve men from the small country town of Waiuku volunteered for service during the South African War. However, the town’s only memorial of the war is dedicated to a non-resident, Corporal Rodney Talbot Devereux.

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