Pages tagged with: south african war

Between 1899 and 1902 New Zealand sent ten 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.

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

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.

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

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

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 actively participating in fundraising or in some cases public opposition, there were also a select number who chose to leave behind a life of comfort in order to act as teachers and nurses in South Africa

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

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 Huguenot settlers.

Map showing location of New Zealand South African (Boer) War memorials

Database of all soldiers who enlisted with the New Zealand contingents for the South African (Boer) War of 1899-1902

New Zealand raises a contingent of mounted rifles for service in South Africa. The 215-man contingent leaves Wellington on 21 October 1899, arriving in Cape Town over a month later.

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

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

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.

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

This elaborate memorial tablet in the entrance of the Ranfurly Veterans' Home, Mount Roskill, Auckland, commemorates the South African War, Queen Victoria and King Edward

The symbolic highpoint of our first Empire Day came when Lord Ranfurly laid the foundation stone for the veterans' home that later came to bear his name. Ranfurly saw successive generations of war veterans such as these blind men seen enjoying their pipes on the veranda, as reinforcing imperial links.

Māori were generally supportive of New Zealand's involvement in the South African War. Although willing to enlist in the New Zealand contingents, Māori were officially excluded from service in South Africa. Despite this, a number gained entry into the army and actively participated in the war