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Hi all! I'm the latest newbie on the forum, and this is just a note to let you know something about me. I'm a published author of short fiction, and am interested in the Anglo-Boer War from the standpoint of both a fiction author, as well as a historian, looking at the war from the perspective of the individual, rather than the larger war-maps-politics viewpoint.

That, and a fascination with the Canadians--the RCR, the CMR, and the Canadian Scouts!

Joseph Benedetto

Welcome to the forum Joseph.......

Suggest you see the following threads.....

Non Fiction.....

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/13-miscellany...oks-on-the-sac#78327

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/13-miscellany...frica-1900-1902#3571

and Fiction.....

As posted in another forum.......

Good Afternoon Everyone...…

How is the Lock Down where you are located treating you.....

I am sure that there is a lot of work being done on collections and also a lot of reading.....

The thread on the forum right now that is asking if you have any Medals in your collections that go with people mentioned or associated with books..... This made me dig out an older book again and re-read it.....

I would like to add this one.....

In it there are mentions of many real life Canadian Hero's from the Boer and First World War including John D. McCrae author of In Flanders Fields, Sam Steele, including a man who became Major General William Antrobus Griesbach, CB, CMG, DSO*, VD, KC and of course a number of fictional characters..... The author even took a trip and tour of South Africa before he wrote the book ...….

The Great Karoo by Fred Stenson.

The Great Karoo begins in 1899, as the British are trying to wrest control of the riches of South Africa from the Boers, the Dutch farmers who claimed the land. The Boers have turned out to be more resilient than expected, so the British have sent a call to arms to their colonies — and an a great number of men from the Canadian prairies answer the call and join the Canadian Mounted Rifles: a unit in which they can use their own beloved horses. They assume their horses will be able to handle the desert terrain of the Great Karoo as readily as the plains of their homeland. Frank Adams, a cowboy from Pincher Creek, joins the Rifles, along with other young men from the ranches and towns nearby — a mix of cowboys and mounted policeman, who, for whatever reason, feel a desire to fight for the Empire in this far-off war.

Against a landscape of extremes, Frank forms intense bonds with Ovide Smith, a French cowboy who proves to be a reluctant soldier, and Jefferson Davis, the nephew of a prominent Blood Indian chief, who is determined to prove himself in a “white man’s war.” As the young Canadians engage in battle with an entrenched and wily enemy, they are forced to realize the bounds of their own loyalty and courage, and confront the arrogance and indifference of those who have led them into conflict. For Frank, disillusionment comes quickly, and his allegiance to those from the District of Alberta, soon displaces any sense of patriotism to Canada or Britain, or belief that he’s fighting for a just cause.

The events of the novel follow the trajectory of the war. The British strategy of burning Boer farms, destroying herds, and moving Boer families into camps weakens the Boer rebels, but they refuse to give up. The thousands of Boer women and children who die in the camp make the war ever more unpopular among liberals in Britain. (In fact, this conflict marked the first use of the term “concentration camp” in war.) Seeing the ramifications of such short-sighted military decisions, and how they affect what happens to Frank and the other Canadians, is crucial to depicting the reality of the Boer War. By focusing on the experiences of a small group of men from southern Alberta, Fred Stenson brings the reality of what it would have been like to be a soldier in this brutal war to vivid life.

The Great Karoo is a deeply satisfying novel, marked by the complexities of its plot, the subtleties of its relationships, and the scale of its terrain. Exhilarating and gruesome by turns, it explores with passion and insight the lasting warmth of friendship and the legacy of devastation occasioned by war.

Mike

To carry on......

One of the people mentioned in the Great Karoo......

113 Corporal J Davis, Canadian Scouts

The book is basically the story of Frank Adams and his best friend Jeff Davis.....

Jefferson Davis, the nephew of a prominent Blood Indian chief, who is determined to prove himself in a “white man’s war.” As the young Canadians engage in battle with an entrenched and wily enemy, they are forced to realize the bounds of their own loyalty and courage, and confront the arrogance and indifference of those who have led them into conflict. For Frank, disillusionment comes quickly, and his allegiance to those from the District of Alberta, soon displaces any sense of patriotism to Canada or Britain, or belief that he’s fighting for a just cause.....

Also......

See in John Stirling's book on "The Colonials in South Africa, 1907", referring to the diary of Lieut Moeller (Two Years at the Front) for this entry:

On the 28th Lieutenant Moeller remarks: "The Canadian Scouts are first-rate, and my men are doing well. 29th—A somewhat exciting incident occurred. Davidson, one of the Canadians, about 2500 yards ahead, was suddenly confronted with four Boers, one of whom demanded his surrender. He replied by shooting the man and killing him on the spot; the other three legged it". Under the 31st he says: "My skipper, King, captain in Canadian Dragoons, and a colonel, is a sterling good fellow and a first-rate soldier; all the Colonials indeed are splendid and real good fighters; most interesting too. Major Gat-Howard, who is in command of them, is a Yankee, and went all through the American War. He has seen much service with Red Indians, and is a typical scout leader". On 4th February Sergeant Major J A Patterson was killed, and Sergeants H Bredin, A B Cradock, and E W Muncey (I have this mans medals) were wounded. The first two had served with the Mounted Rifles and Muncey with the Canadian Artillery.

Under February 5th Moeller says: "To-day I got the billet I like, support to the Canadian Scouts. February

8th — I met Callaghan, officer, Canadian Scouts;

Davis, Canadian Scout, and really a Red Indian; and another, who rode forty miles through the Boers with despatches from Kitchener, via French and Alderson, to Smith-Dorrien. They had a marvellous ride; one had to bury the despatches and dodge the Boers. Davis, the Redskin, was taken prisoner, but escaped by shooting several Boers with his revolver. At night Callaghan dug up the despatches and got them in safe. It reads like 'Fenimore Cooper'. I have no time to write details, but it was a wonderfully exciting ride.

It is also mentioned in the regimental history......

Mike.

A warm welcome to the forum, Joseph.