Boer War Page 90k

Rare Boer War Discoveries

Below are some of the items the Canadian Boer War Museum has added to its collections in its ongoing efforts to preserve memorabilia from this period.

Boer War "Discoveries of the Summer" ( 2004)

Boer POW Tea Caddy Ceylon 1900
Great Canadian Heritage Treasure
Ceylon Boer POW tea caddy, 1902
Orig. wood - Size - 10" x 6"w
Found - Cambridge, ON
A marvellous Boer War prisoner of war "Souvenir from the Boer Camp at Diyatalawa Ceylon," where many captured Boers were sent to languish out the war. They could make small items to sell as souvenirs so they could buy extra food and clothes during their stay in the camps.

A tea caddy is a natural item to carve since Ceylon had huge tea plantations. The lip of the lid is cleverly constructed "off round," or slightly oval, so that by turning it a bit it locks by friction. The front features the Transvaal crest and the state motto.

Most Boer War prisoner of war items are small and have minimal carving. Items this large and so ornately carved are extremely rare to find.

It is in perfect condition, and probably came to Cambridge, Ontario, where it was found, among the family belongings brought in by one of the numerous Dutch immigrants who settled in this part of Ontario after World War II. Probably a relative had carved it and brought it home. Then, either the blood line died out or it was dumped at a flea market by someone who couldn't care less about this odd looking thing.
Prisoners of War: The British found that they were arresting the same Boers over and over, after they had promised they would not fight again if allowed to go home. It didn't work. Britain then sent thousands of Boers overseas, to prisoner of war camps, in Bermuda, St. Helena in the South Atlantic, and Ceylon. From there the Boers would not be able to join the war effort again. Boys and old men were sent too. Some were banished from home for two or more years.

c Goldi Productions Ltd. 1996 & 2000