Teacher Answer Sheet
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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 2nd (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
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