Canadian Contingents In The Boer War 1899-1902 Consisted Of The
Royal Canadian Infantry, Canadian Mounted Rifles, Royal Canadian
Artillery, and Strathcona's Horse. The first contingent, which sailed
for South Africa from Quebec, Oct. 30, 1899, numbered 1141. The second
contingent, which sailed from Halifax in January and February, 1900,
mustered 1320. These two contingents comprised the official Canadian
contribution to the British forces in the war, but Lord Strathcona also
raised
a contingent at his own expense. This contingent, known as
Strathcona's Horse, sailed from Halifax in March, 1900, the force
numbering 540 officers and men, and 599 horses. Over 3000 Canadians
therefore took part in the war against the Boers. Throughout the
operations in South Africa, the Canadians signally distinguished
themselves, particularly at the battle of Paardeberg on Feb. 27, 1900,
when with the Gordon Highlanders and the Shropshires they led the final
attack on Cronje's position. =Bib.=: Evans, The Canadian Contingents;
Marquis, Canada's Sons on Kopje and Veldt; Doyle, The Great Boer
War.