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1 January 2005

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Boer War 2nd Contingent

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Canadians Troops to South Africa, 1899 - 1902
(from the Canadian Almanck, 1903)

Second Contingent
(Enlistment was for six months with liability of extension to one year.)
Comprising the (1st Regiment) Canadian Mounted Rifles, a Brigade Division of Field Artillery and 21 artificers.
Strength of C.M.R.: 38 officers, 704 N.C. officers and men, 750 horses
Strength of B.D. of F.A.: 19 officers, 520 N.C. officers and men, 427 horses
"D" & "E" Batteries sailed from Halifax, on SS. Laurentian, 21st Jan., 1900; arrived at Cape Town on 17th Feb. following. The 2nd Battalion, C.M.R., sailed from Halifax on SS. Pomeranian, 27th Jan., 1900; arrived at Cape Town on 26th Feb. following. "C" Battery and the 1st Battalion C.M.R. sailed from Halifax, on SS. Milwaukee, 21st Feb., 1900; arrived at Cape Town on 21st March following.

The officers were:-

CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES - FIRST BATTALION

(1st Batt., afterwards designated as "The Royal Canadian Dragoons.")
Commanding Offlcer: *Lessard, F.L. (Lt.-Col. R.C.D.)
Major (2nd in command) *Evans, T. D. B. (Maj. & Bt. Lt.-Col. R.C.D.), who subsequently took command of 2nd Battalion C.M.R, owing to Commandant L.W. Herchmer being invalided.
"A" SQUADRON
Commanding Officer: Forester, W., Capt. R.C.D.,
Captain: Pearse, C. St. A. (Capt. R.C.D.) died 17th Oct., 1900
Lieuts: 1st Troop: Elmsley, J.H. (Lt. R.C.D.); 2nd Troop: Cockburn, H.Z.C. (Capt. G.G.B.G.);
3rd Troop: Van Luven, R.M. (Capt. 4th Hussars) 4th Troop: King, A.H. (Maj. 1st Hussars).
"B" SQUADRON
Commanding Officer-Williams. V.A.S. (Capt. R.C.D.)
Captain: Greenwood, H.S. (Lt.-Col. 3rd Dragoons)
Lieuts: 1st Troop: Van Straubenzee, C.T. (Lt. R.C.D.); 2nd Troop: *Young, F.V. (2nd Lt. Manitoba Dragoons);
3rd Troop: Turner, R.E.W. (Capt. Q.O.C.H.); 4th Troop: Borden, H.L. (Maj. K.C.H.), killed, 16th July 1900 Adjutant: *Nelles, C.M. (Capt. R.C.D.)
Quartermaster: Wynne, J.H. (Capt. 2nd Regiment C.A.)
Medical Officer: Duff, H.R. (Surg.-Maj., 4th Hassars)
Transport Officer: *Harrison, C.F. (Capt., 8th Hussars), died of wounds, 10th June 1900
Veterinary Officer: Hall, W.B. (Vet. Maj., R.C.D.)
Sutton, F.H.C. (Capt. R.C.D.), attached as Lt., Mar. 1900, died of pneumonia, 6th Jan. 1901

CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES - SECOND BATTALION

Commanding Officer: Herchmer, L.W. (Ex-Commissioner N.W.M.P.) *Lt.-Col. T. D. B. Evans, from 1st Battalion C.M.R., took command on 5th May, 1900, owing to Commandant Herchmer being invalided
Major (2nd in command): Steele, S.B. (Superintendent N.W.M.P. Afterwards appointed to command Strathcona's Horse)
"C" SQUADRON
Commanding Officer: Howe, J. (Superintendent N.W.M.P.)
Captain-Macdonell, A.C. (Inspr. N.W.M.P.)
Lieuts: 1st Troop: Moodie, J.D. (Insp. N.W.M.P.); 2nd Troop: Begin, J.V. (Insp. N.W.M.P.);
3rd Tr.: Wroughton, T.A. (Insp. N.W.M.P.); 4th Tr.: Inglis, W.M. (Capt. H.M. Berkshire Regt)
"D" SQUADRON
Commandimg Officer: Sanders, G.E. (Superintendent N.W.M.P.)
Captain: Cuthbert, A.E.R. (Inspr. N.W.M.P.)
Lieuts: 1st Troop: Davidson, H.J.A. (Inspr. N.W.M.P.); 2nd Troop: Chalmers, T.W. (Lieut. Reserve of Officers), killed 2nd Nov. 1900; 3rd Troop: *Taylor, J. (Lt. Manitoba Dragoons); 4th Troop: Cosby, F.L. (Inspr. N.W.M.P.)
Machine Gun Section: Howard, A.L. (Lieut. Unattached List), killed 17th Feb. 1901 Bliss, D.C.F. (Major R.O.), attached to in Mar. 1900.
Adjutant: Baker, M. (Inspr. N.W.M.P.)
Quartermaster: Allan, J.B. (Inspr. N.W.M.P.)
Medical 0fficer: Devine, J.A. (Surg.-Lt. 90th Regt.)
Transport 0fficer: Eustace, R.W.B.
Veterinary Officer: Riddell, R.

BRIGADE DIVISION FIELD ARTILLERY

Commanding Officer: *Drury, C.W., (Lt.-Col,R.C.A)
"C" BATTERY
Major: *Hudon, J.A.G. (Maj., R.C.A.)
Captain: Panet, H.A. (Capt., R.C.A.)
Lieuts: 1st Sec.: Leslie, J.N.S. (Lt. R.C.A.) 2nd Sec.: King, W.B. Capt., (7th Field Battery, C.A.) 3rd Sec.: Irving, L.E.W. (Capt., Reserve of Officers).
"D" BATTERY
Major: Hurdman, W.G. (Maj., 2nd Field Battery, C.A.)
Captain: Eaton, D.I.V. (Capt., R.C.A.)
Lieuts.: 1st Sec.: Van Tuyl, T.W. (Capt., 6th Field Battery, C.A.) 2nd Sec.: McCrea, J. (Lt. 16th Field Battery, C.A) 3rd Sec.: Morrison, E.W.B. (Lt. 2nd Field Battery, C.A.)
"E" BATTERY
Major: *Ogilvie, G.H. (Maj., R.C.A.)
Captain: Costigan, R. (Maj. 3rd Field Battery, C.A.)
Lieuts.: 1st Sec.: Murray, W.P. (Lt. 9th Field Battery, C.A.) 2nd Sec.: Ogilvie, A.T. (Lt. R.C.A.) 3rd Sec.: Good, W.C. (Capt. 10th Field Battery, C.A.)
Attached for Duty: Mackie, H.J. (Capt. 42nd Regt.) late 2nd Field Battery
Adjt.: Thacker, H.C. (Capt., R C.A.)
Medical Officer: *Worthington, A. (Surg.-Maj., 53rd Regt.)
Veterinary Officer: Massie, J. (Vet. Maj., R.C.A.)
Medical Staff for General Service: Lieut. L. Vaux, Canadian Army Medical Service
Nurses: Hercum, Miss D., Senior Nurse Macdonald, Miss M. Horne, Miss M. Richardson, Miss M.P.
Chaplains: Lane, Rev. W.G. Cox, Rev. W.J. Sinnett, Rev. J.C.
Afterwards attached for Instructional Purposes: *Gordon, W. D., Lt.-Col. (D.O.C.) Boulanger, T.L., Maj., 1st Field Battery, Canadian Artillery Burch, J.E., Lt. 2nd Dragoons, killed 16th July, 1900 Biggar, J.L., Hon'y Lt.-Col., Qr. Mr. 15th Rgt. *Bliss, Maj. D.C.F. (as Lieut.)

CANADIAN ARTIFICERS

Some of these were requested by the Imperial authorities, for duty with Imperial troops, and the following sailed with part of the 2nd Contingent, from Halifax, on S.S. Milwaukee, 21st February, 1900, arriving at Cape Town on 21st March following, viz.: Seven saddlers, 11 shoeing-smiths, 5 wheelers.


From Sessional Paper 35a, 1901, Parliament of Canada
Appendix C 2
ROYAL CANADIAN DRAGOONS
Return of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the Royal Canadian Dragoons killed in action or died of wounds received in action.
Regtl
No.
Rank and Name Nature of Casualty Place Action Date Where
Buried
---- Lieut. Borden, H.L. Killed in action Witpoort Witpoort 16-7-1900 Riet Vlei
---- Lieut. Burch, J.E. Killed in action Witpoort Witpoort 16-7-1900 Riet Vlei
105 Sergt. Builder, N.D. Died of wounds
received in action
Liliefontein Liliefontein 7-11-1900 Belfast
26 Corpl. Filson, E.A. Killed in action Liliefontein Liliefontein 7-11-1900 Belfast
102 Actg. Lce. Corpl. Anderson W.J. Killed in action Liliefontein Liliefontein 7-11-1900 Belfast
21 Pte. Ratcliff, A. Killed in action Boschpoort Boschpoort 23-9-1900 Belfast
168 Pte. Spence, D. McL. Killed in action Boschpoort Boschpoort 23-9-1900 Belfast


From Sessional Paper 35a, 1901, Parliament of Canada
Appendix C 2
Return of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the Royal Canadian Dragoons who died of disease.
Regtl
No.
Rank and Name Place Date Cause of Death Where
Buried
---- Capt. Pearse, C. St. A. Pretoria 17-10-1900 Tuberculosis Pretoria
---- Lieut. Harrison, C.F. Wynburg 10-6-1900 Enteric fever Wynburg
---- Lieut. Sutton, F.H.C. On board transport Roslin Castle 6-1-1901 Pneumonia Quebec, Que
52 S.Q.M.S. Hunt, B. Johannesburg 16-6-1900 Enteric fever Johannesburg
5 Sgt. Tptr. Inglis, L.J.S. On board transport Roslin Castle 1-1-1901 Enteric fever At sea
334 Pte. Bing, A.B. Johannesburg 7-6-1900 Enteric fever Johannesburg
294 Brand, W.E. Bloemfontein 9-7-1900 Enteric fever Bloemfontein
216 Crone, D.J. Johannesburg 4-8-1900 Enteric fever Johannesburg
67 Dunsmoor, R.J. Pretoria 9-12-1900 Enteric fever Pretoria
169 Hampton, W.J. Naauwpoort 12-6-1900 Enteric fever Naauwpoort
73 Hughes, N. Cape Town 8-1-1901 Enteric fever Naauwpoort
177 Hull, W.A. Kroonstadt 6-6-1900 Enteric fever Kroonstadt
367 Kingsley, A.R. Kroonstadt 15-5-1900 Pneumonia Kroonstadt
331 Merchant, E.T. Johannesburg 12-6-1900 Enteric fever Johannesburg
378 Owen, C.C. Karee Siding 1-5-1900 Died of wound self-inflicted Karee Siding
82 Ramsay, D.L. Cape Town 28-3-1900 Peretonitis Cape Town
275 Shipp, T.P. Pretoria 27-7-1900 Enteric fever Pretoria
*92 Winyard, W.        
*Paraded at Kliffintein on 4th June, 1900. Last seen marching in rear of transport near Kalkheuval. Since when nothing has been heard of him. Believed to be dead.


From Sessional Paper 35a, 1901, Parliament of Canada
Appendix C 2
Return of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the Royal Canadian Dragoons wounded in action.
Regtl
No.
Rank and Name Date Action Nature of
wound
---- Capt. Nelles, C.M. 7-7-1900 Rietfontein Slight
---- Lieut. Cockburn, H.Z.C. 7-11-1900 Lilietontein Slight
---- Lieut. Elmsley, J.H. 7-11-1900 Lilietontein Dangerous
---- Lieut. Turner, R.E.W. 7-11-1900 Lilietontein Severe
---- Lieut. Young, F.V. 8-7-1900 Rietfontein Slight
312 Sergt. Farr'r Cope, C.E. 7-11-1900 Liliefontein Slight
30 Sergt. Metcafe, F.F. 7-11-1900 Lilietontein Severe
258 Tptr. Lord, J.W. 7-7-1900 Rietfontein Severe
413 Pte. Armstrong, B.R. 7-7-1900 Rietfontein Dangerous
370 Pte. Berg, F. 7-7-1900 Rietfontein Slight
61 Pte. Brown, A.W. 16-7-1900 Witpoort Dangerous
104 Pte. Brown, F. 3-5-1900 Brantford Slight
305 Pte. Carter, G. St. L. 7-10-1900 Wonderfontoin Severe
157 Pte. Dougall, W. 7-11-1900 Liliefontein Severe
324 Pte. Harvey, J.J. 7-7-1900 Rietfontein Severe
185 Pte. Knisley, W.A. 7-11-1900 Liliefoutein Severe
42 Pte. Loosemore, H.H. 7-11-1900 Lilietontein Severe
325 Pte. Marriott, T.H. 7-7 1900 Rietfontein Severe
175 Pte. Mulloy, L. W.R. 16-7-1900 Witpoort Severe
143 Pte. McCarthy, P. 5-10-1900 Spitzkop Severe
203 Pte. McDonald, A.A. 2-11-1900 Belfast Slight
330 Pte. McGregor, S.J. 7-7-1900 Rietfontein Slight
284 Pte. Palmer, H. 7-7-1900 Rietfontein Slight
225 Pte. Richardson, G. 7-11-1900 Liliefontein Slight
327 Pte. Roberts, A.H. 7-11-1900 Liliefontein Slight
88 Pte. Thornton, F. 23-9-1900 Boschpoort Severe
408 Pte. White, H.B. 7-7-1900 Rietfontein Severe


From Sessional Paper 35a, 1901, Parliament of Canada
Appendix D 1
CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES
Return of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the Canadian Mounted Rifles killed in action or died of wounds received in action.
Regtl
No.
Rank and Name Nature of Casualty Place Action Date Where
Buried
---- Lt. Chalmers, T.W. Killed in action Near Belfast Belfast 2-11-1900 Belfast
201 Corp. Morden, J.F. Killed in action Honing Spruit Katbosch 22-6-1900 Katbosch, near Honing
Spruit Station
308 Corp. Taylor, J.R. Died of wounds
received in action
Doomkop Doornkop 19-8-1900 Doornkop, near
Middleburg
108 Pte. Frost, W. Died of wounds
received in action
Diamond Hills Diamond Hills 12-6-1900 Kammeelfontein
near Pretoria
169 Pte. Kerr, R.J. Killed in action Honing Spruit Katbosch 29-6-1900 Katbosch, near Honing
Spruit Station
*Lieut. A. L. Howard, U.L., who proceeded to South Africa in charge of the Machine Gun Detachment of this Corps, and who remained there to organize Howard's Scouts, which Corps he commanded as Major, was killed at Derby, on February 17, 1901, while serving with General French's Force.


From Sessional Paper 35a, 1901, Parliament of Canada
Appendix D 1
Return of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the Canadian Mounted Rifles who died of disease.
Regtl
No.
Rank and Name Place Date Cause of Death Where
Buried
25 Pte. Ball, J.E. Kroonstad 29-7-1900 Enteric Fever Military Cemetery Kroonstadt
65 Pte. Clements, H.H. Springfontein 25-5-1900 Enteric Fever Springfontein
186 Pte. Lett, R. Pretoria 21-7-1900 Enteric Fever Ch. of England Cemetery,
Pretoria, Grave No. 167
242 Pte. O'Kelly, G.M. Johannesburg 16-6-1900 Dysentry Johannesburg Cemetery,
Grave and Lot No. 9550
298 Pte. Smitb, 0. Near Pan Station 17-8-1900 Sunstroke Bankfontein, near Pan
333 Pte. Wood, W. Pretoria 29-7-1900 Enteric Fever Ch. of England Cemetery,
Pretoria, Grave No. 197
334 Pte. Woollcombo, J. Carnarvon 23-4-1900 Dysentry and Pleurisy Carnarvon


From Sessional Paper 35a, 1901, Parliament of Canada
Appendix D 1
CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES
RETURN of Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men of the Canadian Mounted Rifles wounded in action.
Regtl.
No.
Rank and Name Date Action Nature of Wound
---- Major Sanders, G.E. 5-9-1900 Nooitgedacht Slight
---- Major Sanders, G.E. 2-11- Near Belfast Slight
---- Captain Macdonell, A.C. 12-6-1900 Diamond Hills Dangerously wounded. (Accidentally)
---- Lieut. Moodie, J.D. 5-9-1900 Nooitgedacht Slight
---- Lieut. Ingles, W.M. 22-6-1900 Hoining Spruit Severe
229 Sergt. McCulloch, D. 5-5-1900 Brandfort Slight
46 Corporal Baines, H.H. 12-6-1900 Diamond Hills Slight
202 Corporal Miles, T.R. 22-6-1900 Honing Spruit Severe
291 Corporal Stevens, R.C.H. 28-5-1900 Klip River Dangerous
176 Pte.Aspinall, A. 22-6-1900 Honing Spruit Severe
45 Pte.Birney, J.A. 22-6-1900 Honing Spruit Severe
66 Pte.Crawley, A.W.V. 3-7-1900 Near Pretoria Dangerous
85 Pte.Dore, G.L. 28-5-1900 Klip River Slight
105 Pte.Flynn, W.B. 19-8-1900 Doornkop Severe
127 Pte.Gray, J. 28-5-1900 Klip River Slight
129 Pte.Greenall, F. 12-6-1900 Diamond Hills Slight
159 Pte.Johnston, D.F. 5-9-1900 Nooitgedacht Severe
112 Pte.Leggat, M. 11-10-1900 Wonderhock Slight
235 Pte.Northway, R.J. 2-11-1900 Near Belfast Slight
248 Pte.Pratt, F.E. 2-11-1900 Severe
174 Pte.Ruth, F.C. 5-5-1900 Brandfort Slight (Accidentally)
198 Pte.Wildman, G.E. 7-5-1900 Vet River Slight

MISSING
No. 326 Fite. 0. J. Weaver, Canadian Mounted Rifles, was reported missing at Nooitgedacht, on the 22nd October, 1900, and is supposed to be dead.


From Sessional Paper 35a, 1901, Parliament of Canada
Appendix E 4
BRIGADE DIVISION, ROYAL CANADIAN FIELD ARTILLERY
Return of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men killed in action or died of wounds received in action or who died of disease or frcm accident.
No. Battery Rank and Name Casualty Place Date Where
Buried
482 E Bombardier W. Latimer Killed Faber's Putts 30-5-1900 Faber's Putts
275 D Driver R. Bradley Effects of submersion Van Wyks Vlei 2-4-1900 Van Wyks Vlei
255 D Gunner E. Picot Enteric De Aar 1-5-1900 De Aar cemetery
363 D Collar Maker W.J. Moore Enteric Pretoria Cemetery 9-11-1900 Pretoria
355 D Sergeant E. Evett Enteric Watervalonder 18-11-1900 Watervalonder
409 E Trumpeter G. Bradley Enteric Kimberley 28-7-1900 Kimberley
449 E Gunner E.P. 0'Reilly Enteric De Aar 17-5-1900 De Aar
528 E Gunner J. Neild Effects of accidental wounding Kimberley 22-9-1900 Kimberley
486 E Gunner W.E. Price Enteric Netley, England 23-7-1900 ---


From Sessional Paper 35a, 1901, Parliament of Canada
Appendix E 4
BRIGADE DIVISION, ROYAL CANADIAN FIELD ARTILLERY
List of Wounded
Date No. Battery Rank and Name Place Nature
1900 May 16 65 C A. Bombardier W. Patton Mafeking Slight
1900 May 16 135 C Gunner W. McCollum Mafeking Slight
1900 Nov. 6 273 D Corpl. W.R. Hare Belfast Severe
1900 May 30 408 E Corpl. H.M. Brown Faber's Putt Severe
1900 May 30 411 E Driver J. Kane Faber's Putt Slight
1900 May 30 421 E Gunner G.F. Fletcher Faber's Putt Severe
1900 May 30 491 E Gunner R.C. Jackson Faber's Putt Slight
1900 May 30 420 E Bombardier J. McAskill Faber's Putt Slight
1900 May 30 445 E Gunner G.H. Ross Faber's Putt Severe
1900 May 30 531 E Gunner C. Woollard Faber's Putt Severe
1900 May 30 529 E Gunner H.B. Taite Faber's Putt Slight

MISSING
No. 29 F. J. Shedd, "C" Battery, left hospital at Marandellas, without leave, May 9, 1900, since when nothing has been heard of him.

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