Australians in the Boer War 1899 ~ 1902
"Around 16,000 Australians volunteered to fight for Britain against the Dutch-Afrikaner, or Boer, settlers in South Africa from 1899 to 1902. It remains Australia's third-worst conflict in terms of casualties.
When the Boer War broke out in 1899, Australia was made up of six colonies that were on the verge of becoming a federation. The war was seen as an opportunity for Australia to show its commitment to Britain and to define its identity. The first Australian troops and their horses sailed in late 1899 and were involved in major action by January 1900. After Australian Federation in 1901, the new Commonwealth Government sent a further eight battalions. In addition to the Australian troops who travelled to serve in the Boer War, thousands more Australians, who were already there working in the gold and diamond mines, also signed up to fight in what was often a bloody guerilla war. All were volunteers as there was no draft or conscription. The Boer War saw advances in weaponry and medicines but also the use of guerilla tactics that destroyed the lives and homes of civilians. A total of 606 Australians died in the two-and-a-half years in South Africa; that is more than the number of casualties in Vietnam over 10 years. Australians at home generally supported the war. However, public enthusiasm began to wane after 1900 as people became aware of civilian casualties. The conviction and execution of lieutenants 'Breaker' Morant and Handcock in 1902 further diminished support." From: http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/boer-war |
Our family members who joined the armed services and traveled to South Africa to fight in the Boer War.
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A great source of information about Australian story in the Boer War is found at http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/boer/ which is where this photo was found.
Boer War begins in South Africa Oct 11 1899 - general facts
The South African Boer War begins between the British Empire and the Boers of the Transvaal and Orange Free State.
The Boers, also known as Afrikaners, were the descendants of the original Dutch settlers of southern Africa. Britain took possession of the Dutch Cape colony in 1806 during the Napoleonic wars, sparking resistance from the independence-minded Boers, who resented the Anglicization of South Africa and Britain's anti-slavery policies. In 1833, the Boers began an exodus into African tribal territory, where they founded the republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The two new republics lived peaceably with their British neighbors until 1867, when the discovery of diamonds and gold in the region made conflict between the Boer states and Britain inevitable.
Minor fighting with Britain began in the 1890s, and in October 1899 full-scale war ensued. By mid June 1900, British forces had captured most major Boer cities and formally annexed their territories, but the Boers launched a guerrilla war that frustrated the British occupiers. Beginning in 1901, the British began a strategy of systematically searching out and destroying these guerrilla units, while herding the families of the Boer soldiers into concentration camps. By 1902, the British had crushed the Boer resistance, and on May 31 of that year the Peace of Vereeniging was signed, ending hostilities.
The treaty recognized the British military administration over Transvaal and the Orange Free State and authorized a general amnesty for Boer forces. In 1910, the autonomous Union of South Africa was established by the British. It included Transvaal, the Orange Free State, the Cape of Good Hope, and Natal as provinces.
From: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/boer-war-begins-in-south-africa
The Boers, also known as Afrikaners, were the descendants of the original Dutch settlers of southern Africa. Britain took possession of the Dutch Cape colony in 1806 during the Napoleonic wars, sparking resistance from the independence-minded Boers, who resented the Anglicization of South Africa and Britain's anti-slavery policies. In 1833, the Boers began an exodus into African tribal territory, where they founded the republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The two new republics lived peaceably with their British neighbors until 1867, when the discovery of diamonds and gold in the region made conflict between the Boer states and Britain inevitable.
Minor fighting with Britain began in the 1890s, and in October 1899 full-scale war ensued. By mid June 1900, British forces had captured most major Boer cities and formally annexed their territories, but the Boers launched a guerrilla war that frustrated the British occupiers. Beginning in 1901, the British began a strategy of systematically searching out and destroying these guerrilla units, while herding the families of the Boer soldiers into concentration camps. By 1902, the British had crushed the Boer resistance, and on May 31 of that year the Peace of Vereeniging was signed, ending hostilities.
The treaty recognized the British military administration over Transvaal and the Orange Free State and authorized a general amnesty for Boer forces. In 1910, the autonomous Union of South Africa was established by the British. It included Transvaal, the Orange Free State, the Cape of Good Hope, and Natal as provinces.
From: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/boer-war-begins-in-south-africa
Australian War Memorial Collection of Boer War photographs. These show us a little of the conditions experienced by these soldiers.