Language selection


Search veterans.gc.ca

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Harold Lithrop Borden

In memory of:

Lieutenant Harold Lithrop Borden

July 16, 1900
Pretoria, South Africa

Military Service


Age:

24

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Canadian Dragoons (1st Armoured Regiment)

Division:

1st Battalion

Citation(s):

Twice Mentioned in Despatches

Additional Information


Born:

May 25, 1876
Canning, Nova Scotia

Only son of the Honorable F. W. Borden M.P., Minister of Militia, Canada. The following is an excerpt from the Book 'Le Livre d'or (The Golden Book) of the Canadian Contingents in South Africa' by Gaston P. Labat.

Major Harold L. Bordon, formerly commanding officer of the King's County Hussars, Kentville, N.S. was killed in South Africa. The deceased officer left Canada as Lieutenant of the fourth troop of B Squadron, Canadian Mounted Rifles and previous to leaving was stationed in Quebec for a few days, haivng secured his discharge from B. Field Battery, R.C.A. The young man was a particularly fine specimen of robust young Canadian manhood and had already won distinction by his bravery in swimming with some others across the Sand River on the march from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg. He was only twenty-three years of age, stood six feet three inches in his stockings and weighed 198 pounds. He was brought up in King's County, Nova Scotia, and had studied at Mount Allison University in Sackville and later at McGill, in Montreal, where he was in his third year of medicine. Lieutenant Bordon had been twice before brought to my notice in despatches for gallant and intrepid conduct' a quote from Lord Roberts.

Medical students at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec erected a tablet to the memory of Lieutenant Borden and Gunner O'Reilly, both of whom, at the time of their departure for South Africa were medical students. The memorial consists of a marble tablet mounted on an onyx background and surmounted by a couple of Strathcona hats. The sides of the tablet are relieved and ornamented with Lee-Enfield rifles, while the base carries a couple of cannon, a pyramid of shot and other features of an artillery field piece. The ornaments and embellishments, like the tablet are sculptured out of marble.

Lt. Borden is also commemorated in Canning, Nova Scotia.

Commemorated on Page 4 of the South African War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

BRAAMFONTEIN GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE (JOHANNESBURG)
South Africa

Grave Reference:

N/A

Location:

The cemetery is located on Graaf Street, off Smit Street. Enter at the gate, go 400 m, turn right and go 100 m, The Canadian graves are on the right side.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Harold Lithrop Borden– Memorial plaque at Mount Allison University - Student Union Center 62 York Street, Sackville New Brunswick
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Globe (Toronto newspaper). Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Borden Monument– Borden Monument, Main Street, Canning, Nova Scotia. Dedicated by the family in 1903.
  • Rededication of Borden Monument– Rededication of Borden Monument on July 16, 2000. Royal Canadian Dragoons present and Royal Canadian Legion and RCMP.
  • Gravemarker
  • Photo of Harold Lithrop Borden
  • Photo 2 of Harold Lithrop Borden
  • Newspaper Clipping– From the Toronto Daily Star for 1 September 1900.
  • Memorial– Brass Tablet
This tablet is located at the entrance to the Royal Canadian Dragoons Headquarters at CFB Petawawa, ON.
Photo courtesy of Thomas L. Skelding
  • Article– This photo is from the book "Our Boys Under Fire" by Mellish. Photo courtesy of Thomas L. Skelding
  • Newspaper Clipping– News article from The Globe, Toronto, dated 19 July 1900 in which a war summary is provided advising of the death of Lieutenant Harold Lithrop Borden.
  • Coin– Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Coin– Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

Date modified: