What was the Boer War and why was it fought?

The South African War was fought between Britain and the self-governing Afrikaner (Boer) colonies of the South African Republic (the Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. The war began on October 11 1899, following a Boer ultimatum that the British should cease building up their forces in the region.

What was the Boer War mainly fought over?

“Second Freedom War”, 11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo-Boer War, or the South African War, was fought between the British Empire and two independent Boer states, the South African Republic (Republic of Transvaal) and the Orange Free State, over the Empire’s influence in South Africa …

What is the story of the Boer War?

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.

Why was it called the Boer War?

Most scholars prefer to call the war of 1899-1902 the South African War, thereby acknowledging that all South Africans, white and black, were affected by the war and that many were participants. The republicans acquired the name ‘Boers’ – the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmers.

How to browse the National Army Museum online?

The Online Collection showcases a growing selection of our objects for you to explore and discover. Use the objects inventory to search listings of all the artefacts we hold in our collections. Use the books inventory to search listings of all the books we hold in our collections.

Why was the Boer War important for Britain?

The war was the first campaign in which British people from all sectors of society took up arms, with many joining newly raised formations like the Imperial Yeomanry. It was a forerunner of the patriotic fervour that inspired volunteers during the First World War (1914-18).

What did the Indian Army do in the Boer War?

Although the Indian Army was not deployed to South Africa, a small number of Indian stretcher bearers and servants took part in the campaign. The Indian Ambulance Corps consisted of 300 free Indians and 800 indentured workers from sugar estates, who were sent to the front by their employers.

What are the duties of the National Army Museum?

The National Army Museum’s War Graves Adjudication Unit helps to investigate the eligibility of Army personnel for commemoration. We welcome your questions about our collections and operations, or requests for advice on general topics relating to the British Army. Want to discover more about the collections?