Sixteen members of the Eighth New Zealand Contingent were killed when their train collided with a goods train at Machavie (Machavierug), near Potchefstroom in Transvaal.
South African War
Events In History
24 February 1902
Twenty-four New Zealanders were killed in this battle during the South African (Boer) War. A total of 230 New Zealanders died while serving in New Zealand's first overseas war.
28 January 1901
Wellington blacksmith William Hardham served in South Africa with the fourth New Zealand contingent. He was the only New Zealander awarded a Victoria Cross during the South African War.
28 September 1899
Premier Richard ‘King Dick’ Seddon asked Parliament to approve an offer to the British government of a contingent of mounted riflemen to serve in South Africa. Amid emotional scenes, the members overwhelmingly endorsed the motion – only five voted against it.
Articles
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 Read the full article
Page 1 - South African War 1899-1902
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
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
Page 3 - The Boers
The term Boer, derived from the Afrikaans word for farmer, was used to describe the people in southern Africa who traced their ancestry to Dutch, German and French Huguenot
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 just over a month
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
Page 6 - Key battles: 1899-1900
A summary of key battles fought by New Zealand troops in South Africa,
Page 7 - Guerrilla war: 1901-1902
A summary of the guerrilla war in which New Zealand troops helped fight Boer forces in South Africa,
Page 8 - Māori and the war
Many Māori supported New Zealand's involvement in the South African War and some were keen 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
Page 10 - Further information
Website links and books relating to New Zealand and the South African
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. Read the full article
Page 1 - 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
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. Read the full article
Page 1 - 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
Page 2 - The contingents
Information about the 10 New Zealand contingents that were raised for service during the South African War,
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
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,
Page 7 - Further information
Website links and books relating to New Zealand and the South African
Biographies
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.
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.
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.
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.
Henry Coutts was one of four colonial soldiers to receive a woollen scarf knitted by Queen Victoria in recognition of an act of gallantry.
Main image: General Piet Joubert and Boer soldiers, 1899
General Piet Joubert's unit of Boer soldiers and their African servant stop for lunch at Newcastle, Natal, less than a week after war was declared in 1899.
