Boer War Page 74a

Boer War Past "News" 1

(left) Our featured performer, Harry Macdonough 1871-1931, from Hamilton, ON, was one of Canada's most famous singers during the late Victorian era. Two of Harry's most famous songs from the Boer War era open and close our television program: the highly patriotic opening theme "Goodbye Dolly Gray," and the poignant ending song over the credits, "Where is My Wandering Boy Tonight."

The closing song had special meaning to Canadians as some 300 Canadian boys never returned home, including Charlie Evans from Port Hope, ON, (left) and Harold Borden from Halifax, NS.

July 1, 2001

I had asked the question a thousand times. Finally, I got the answer I had hoped to hear, from an elderly antique store owner, in a small Ontario town.

"Sure I've had a Canadian Boer War helmet on a shelf in my house for the past 50 years. It belonged to my wife's uncle, John Woodward, who served during the Fenian Raids, then went to fight in South Africa."

Wow! At last!

(For the rest of the story, see Past Discoveries 1)

New research has just emerged to show that there is a Jack the Ripper connection to the Boer War. This man knew all along who the Ripper was, but took the secret to the grave with him? Why did he not talk?

This man also had a famous Canadian connection? Do you know what it was?

Who is he anyway?

And then who was Jack the Ripper???

Can you supply the details???

Answers: Elsewhere on this site.....

George Milne, who is based in Western Canada, has for decades, set up major Canadian historical military displays for museums involving print, memorabilia, and video. He requested permission to see our rough cut for "The Great Anglo-Boer War: the Canadian Experience" on a swing through Toronto. We can truly say it was an emotional experience for him. Below is his letter to us.

Dear Joan and John,

Thank you so much for taking a morning to show me all the elements of the Boer War documentary you have created.

It is truly a wonderful production.

I have told my associates at The Museum of the Regiments all about it. They agree with me that it will prove very appealing to the nations' TV viewers.

I am personally convinced that it will be assessed as one of the decade's great television documentaries.

I was especially moved by the music from the original 1900 era recordings used throughout. It defines the time ... one hundred years ago.

The full color battlefields and gravestone depictions are unexpected and so interesting. They make you feel that the Boer War was fought just recently and not so long ago as 1899 - 1902.

The narrations, especially by the gentleman from the Bloemfontein Anglo-Boer War Museum, were top drawer and highly informative. Again the 100 years past has been wonderfully bridged.

I will widely promote this documentary in advance of its showing to my hundreds of Alberta supporters and to my many media friends.

You both deserve credit and applause for bringing to life this story of the Canadian soldiers in South Africa 1899 - 1902.

I wish you well.

Sincerely, George M. Milne,

Manager, Communications & Development Unit for
The Museum of the Regiments, Calgary, Alberta

From May to July, 2000, we were in South Africa and drove 11,000 kms. researching Boer War historic sites. You can see some of what we found on Pages:

During the battle (Nov. 7, 1900), he had galloped in to save a friend under heavy fire, and had lifted him to safety. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (which would later be pinned on his tunic in Toronto by the Prince of Wales (the future George V) who was touring Canada in the summer of 1901.)

Above the crowd pulling the sled in which Knisley - just returned from South Africa - rode in triumph (Found in Jarvis, ON).

The view is north along Highway 6, just above the junction with Hwy 3. All these buildings are still standing.

Sadly, the jubilation was short-lived......