Student Questions

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

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

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

3. How many Canadian nurses served in South Africa?

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

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

6. Which side eventually won the South African War?

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?

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

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

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

PART C - 'Battles' section

11. When was the Battle of Paardeberg?

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

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

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

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?

16. Before serving in South Africa, what was Lt.-Col. Sam Steele's previous job?

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?

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

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?

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

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

PART F - 'Uniforms and Equipment' section

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

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

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

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

PART G - 'Weapons' section

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

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

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

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

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

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

PART H - 'Maps' section

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

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

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