the Battle Honour “South Africa, 1899-1900” was awarded to the Governor General’s Foot Guards in 1933 to recognize the service of its members during the Boer War.
The South African Campaign
• Participation: The Regiment contributed 6 officers and 85 other ranks to the campaign. Most served with the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, which was the First Contingent sent by Canada to aid the British Empire. Others served with the Mounted Rifles or Artillery.
• Key Engagements: The most significant and bloodiest battle for the Canadian contingent was the Battle of Paardeberg in February 1900. It was during the final night attack on Cronje’s laager at Paardeberg that Corporal C.T. Thomas of the Foot Guards was killed and Private J.E. McConnell was wounded.
• Other Actions: Members of the Regiment also participated in actions at Israel’s Poort, Thaba ‘Nchu, and the Zand River, where Lieutenant W.T. Lawless was mentioned in dispatches for his conduct.
• Conclusion: The campaign for the infantry battalion culminated in the march past Lord Roberts in Pretoria on June 5, 1900.
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