This section represents those J.C. Wilson postcards from 1899 to 1902, which marked the duration of the Boer War.

From Wikipedia, the Second Boer War, commonly referred to as The Boer War, was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902, between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic (Transvaal Republic). After a protracted, hard-fought war, the two independent republics were absorbed into the British Empire.

Initially, Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier tried to keep Canada out of the war. The Canadian government was divided between those, primarily French Canadians, who wished to stay out of the war and others, primarily English Canadians, who wanted to join with Britain in her fight. In the end, Laurier compromised by agreeing to support the British by providing volunteers, equipment and transportation to South Africa. Britain would be responsible for paying the troops and returning them to Canada at the end of their service. The Boer War marked the first occasion in which large contingents of Canadian troops served abroad.

Ultimately, over 8,600 Canadians volunteered to fight in the South African War. Approximately 277 Canadians died: 89 men were killed in action, 135 died of disease, and the remainder died of accident or injury, while 252 were wounded.

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