Teacher Answer Sheet

PART A - 'Canada and the South African War' Introductory section

1. What name was the South African War also known as?

The Boer War

2. What European country did the Boer settlers in southern Africa originally come from?

The Netherlands / Holland (people from that country are called 'Dutch')

3. How many Canadian nurses served in South Africa?

12

4. What groups in Canada tended to support the idea of our country participating in the South African War?

English Canadians and recent immigrants from the British Isles.

5. What groups in Canada tended to oppose the idea of our country participating in the South African War?

French Canadians and recent immigrants from places other than Britain.

6. Which side eventually won the South African War?

The British

PART B - 'Units' section

7. How many men were in the 2^nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry - the first Canadian soldiers to sail to South Africa?

1,109

8. When did the first Canadian soldiers arrive in South Africa?

November 29, 1899

9. What was the first major British victory in the South African War?

Battle of Paardeberg

10. What was the name of the para-military force that the British established to police the conquered Boer republics?

South African Constabulary

PART C - 'Battles' section

11. When was the Battle of Paardeberg?

February 18-27, 1900

12. How many Canadians were killed and wounded during the first day of the Battle of Paardeberg?

18 died and 60 were wounded.

13. What Canadian military units took part in the Battle of Leliefontein?

The Canadian Mounted Rifles, the Royal Canadian Dragoons, and one section of "D" Battery, Royal Canadian Field Artillery.

14. What battle in March 1902 was the second-bloodiest day for the Canadian soldiers in South Africa?

The Battle of Harts River (Boschbult)

PART D - 'Canadian Personalities' section

15. What was the name of the woman from Prince Edward Island who led the Canadian nurses in South Africa?

Nursing Sister Georgina Fane Pope

16. Before serving in South Africa, what was Lietuenant Colonel Sam Steele's previous job?

Commanding officer of the North-West Mounted Police (now known as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) contingent that kept peace in the Yukon during the gold rush of 1898-1899.

17. What was the name of the Canadian Member of Parliament who served in South Africa and went on to become Minister of Militia and Defence?

Sam Hughes

18. What “very popular and efficient” commanding officer from Quebec led the Royal Canadian Dragoons in South Africa?

Lieutenant Colonel François-Louis Lessard

PART E - 'Awards' section

19. What was the name of the Canadian who received the Queen's Scarf for his bravery during the South African War?

Private R.R. Thompson

20. What were the names of the four men from Canadian military units who earned the Victoria Cross in South Africa?

Sergeant A.H.L. Richardson, Lt. H.Z.C. Cockburn, Lt. R.E.W. Turner and Sergeant E.J. Holland.

21. In what single South African War battle did three Canadians earn the Victoria Cross?

The Battle of Leliefontein

PART F - 'Uniforms and Equipment' section

22. What kind of headgear was worn by most of the Canadians who served in South Africa?

Stetson cowboy hat

23. What kind of helmet did the first Canadian soldiers in South Africa wear?

The British 1898-pattern cork helmet

24. What were the uniforms worn by the first Canadians who served in South Africa made from?

Canvas

25. What are 'puttees' and why did soldiers wear them?

The bandage-like puttees were wrapped around the lower leg overlapping the top of the boot to provide support to the ankle and also to prevent dirt and stones from entering.

PART G - 'Weapons' section

26. What was the rifle used by Canadian soldiers in the South African War?

The Lee-Enfield .303 Mark I Rifle

27. How far could the Canadian soldiers' rifles shoot?

1,645 metres

28. How many bullets could the Maxim .303 machine gun shoot in one minute?

650

29. What was the standard pistol used by Canadians in South Africa?

The Colt .455 New Service Model Revolver

30. What large gun was used by the Canadian Field Artillery in South Africa?

The 12-pounder (named for the weight of the artillery shell it used)

31. What kind of machine gun did the Canadians shift to once they arrived in South Africa?

The Colt Model 1895 Machine Gun

PART H - 'Maps' section

32. What were the names of the two Boer republics in southern Africa?

The Orange Free State and the Transvaal

33. What were the names of the capital cities of the two Boer republics in southern Africa?

Bloemfontein and Pretoria

34. What are the two oceans that surround southern Africa?

The Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean