Phil Tomaselli explains how to use the copious digitised records of soldiers who served in South Africa during the hard-fought conflict of 1899–1902
There’s an invisible gap in the 1901 census. In addition to the Regular British troops involved, thousands of Volunteers found themselves still in South Africa fighting in the Second Boer War (also known as the Anglo-Boer War, 1899–1902). Could your missing male ancestor have been among them?
The conflict was between the British Empire and the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, independent Boer republics. They’d defeated Britain previously in the First Boer War (1880–1881), ruining plans to incorporate them into a South African union. The discovery of gold and diamonds in their territory caused a huge influx of Britons to work in the Boer mines, but they weren’t allowed the vote. Tensions mounted, and the Boers purchased modern weapons and pre-emptively invaded South Africa in October 1900, hoping for a swift victory. Forced to face machine-guns, accurate rifles and modern artillery for the first time, British troops retreated; some were besieged in the railway towns of Ladysmith and Mafeking, others in the diamond mining town at Kimberley.
Reinforcements soon rushed in. Canadian, Australian and New Zealand troops arrived; nearly every British regiment sent men, including Reservists recalled to duty; part-time Militia soldiers were “embodied” (made temporarily full time) plugging gaps in Britain’s defences or serving abroad; and Volunteers accepted short-term service engagements as Regulars. Other men travelled to South Africa and volunteered there.
During 1900, reinforced, with new tactics, the British advanced again. After heavy fighting the outnumbered Boers retreated. On 31 May British troops entered Johannesburg, and Pretoria fell on 5 June. The Transvaal was annexed on 1 September 1900. War was presumed over, but groups of Boers formed mounted commandos fighting a guerrilla war with hit-and-run tactics, before surrendering in May 1902.
Online Availability
Although a huge number of records are available online there are many gaps, but diligent research should supply enough information to provide some idea of what an ancestor involved did.
The most important source of names of participants on the British side are the rolls for the two medals issued to those who took part: the Queen’s South Africa Medal (QSA) and, because Victoria had died before the war ended, the King’s South Africa Medal (KSA).
The website Soldiers of the Queen in the S
