Canadian Units
The 2nd
Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment
The 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry was
Canada's first volunteer unit sent to South Africa. The Battalion
played an essential role in defeating the Boer force at Paardeberg in
February 1900. Paardeberg was the
first major British victory of the war.
The Royal Canadian Dragoons
Canada's first contingent had barely sailed for South Africa when the
Canadian government offered a second contingent consisting of
horse-mounted infantry and field artillery, organized into two
squadrons. The core of each squadron was men from the Royal Canadian
Dragoons.
1st Battalion, Canadian
Mounted Rifles
The commissioner of the North-West Mounted Police raised a unit of
'picked police, ex-police and cowboys' to fight in South Africa. The
battalion distinguished itself and earned a reputation for aggressive
scouting.
Brigade Division,
Royal Canadian Field Artillery
The brigade division of artillery in Canada's second contingent grouped
together three batteries. Each battery consisted of three sections, each
of two 12-pounder breech-loading guns. Although usually out
of the limelight, the three batteries saw much action.
Strathcona's Horse
Lord Strathcona offered to raise a regiment at his own expense for
service in the British Army in South Africa. A cadre of mounted police
joined Strathcona's Horse, among them the legendary Superintendent Sam
Steele.
2nd Regiment, Canadian
Mounted Rifles
The mounted rifles participated in a number of major drives
that resulted in the destruction of the Boer
forces in the western Transvaal. While its tour of operations had not
been long, the 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles had proven to be
a worthy successor to the units of the first and second contingents.
10th Canadian Field Hospital
The third Canadian contingent was the only one to take a field hospital
with it to South Africa. The 10th Canadian Field Hospital provided
outstanding medical services during its stint in South Africa.
3rd,
4th, 5th & 6th Regiments, Canadian Mounted Rifles
In April 1902, the British requested a fourth contingent of 2,000 men
from Canada. These units arrived in South Africa after the war had
ended, however, and returned to Canada in July 1902 at which time they
disbanded.
The Canadian Scouts
The Canadian Scouts
gained a reputation as a group of hard-riding, implacable, and
death-defying soldiers. While not officially a Canadian unit, the Scouts
never fully lost their Canadian character.
The South African Constabulary
British planning for the postwar period included a para-military force
to police the conquered Boer republics. The South African Constabulary
took part in many campaigns and experienced some hard fighting. At least 57
Canadians died and six won decorations while serving in its ranks.
3rd (Special Service) Battalion
Canada replaced the British regiment in Halifax for the duration
of the war with a Canadian unit, the 3rd (Special Service)
Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry. While the unit served
exclusively in Canada, its strength is included in the overall number
of Canadians raised for service during the South African War.