The South African Wars

The South African War (also known as the Second Anglo-Boer War) was the first overseas conflict to involve New Zealand troops. Fought between the British Empire and the Boer South African Republic (Transvaal) and its Orange Free State ally, it was the culmination of long-standing tensions in southern Africa.

Eager to display New Zealand’s commitment to the British Empire, Premier Richard Seddon had offered to send troops two weeks before fighting began. Hundreds of men applied to serve, and by the time the war began in October 1899, the First Contingent was already preparing to depart for South Africa. Within a few months they would be fighting the Boers.

By the time peace was concluded 2½ years later, 10 contingents of volunteers totalling more than 6500 men (plus 8000 horses) had sailed for South Africa, along with doctors, nurses, veterinary surgeons and about 20 schoolteachers. Seventy-one New Zealanders were killed in action or died of wounds, with another 159 dying in accidents or from disease.

‘South African War 1899-1902’, URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/south-african-boer-war/introduction, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 7-Mar-2018

The table below is the Roll of Honour for those who served with the New Zealand contingents during the war.

You can sort this table using the tools within and search by surname or any other term.

Summary of cause of deaths in the New Zealand Contingents