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As the formal fighting in South Africa
died down the Canadian troops began to be sent home and
upon returning to Canada found a hero's welcome form the
people. The war had been perceived as a great victory
for the Empire and Canada. The troops had distinguished
themselves and Canada had tasted it's first involvement
in war and conflict abroad.
Many troops were
willing to continue n the military and some volunteered
to return toe South Africa to serve in the South African
constabulary. A military tradition had also been
established with some of the newly formed regiments that
served in South Africa and this tradition was to be
expanded and enhanced in the First World War which was
beginning to loom on the horizon.
The troops themselves were celebrated
with parades and monuments for their exploits, actions
and awards. The loyalty to the British Empire
experienced a overwhelming growth among the people but
one of the most important results of the war was in
Canadian British relations. Although Canada did not yet
have the consigned rights of conducting it's own foreign
policy, (this would come in 1931 with the Act of
Westminster) Laurier had established Canada's right to
decide whether to send troops abroad or not and if so,
under what conditions these troops would operate.
Canadian troops had
distinguished themselves many times and in many ways in
South Africa and 4 Victoria Crosses were awarded to
Canadian troops for actions during the conflict.
The four recipients were
Lieutenant Turner,
Lieutenant Cockburn,
Sergeant Holland and
Arthur Richardson. Over 8,600 Canadians had volunteered for
South Africa with 267 killed and 252 wounded.
Additional actions which Canadian troops
saw were
-
Wwpwnwe April 9 -
25, 1900
-
Doorkop May 29th,
1900
-
Johannesberg
May 31, 1900
-
Diamond Hill June
11 - 12, 1900
-
Belfast, August
26th, 1900
-
Komati River
November 6 - 7, 1900
Three of the four
Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadians were as a result
of the action at Komati River. The Boer War officially
ended on May 31st, 1902. |
