Introduction

The South African War Memorial is set in Confederation Park in downtown Ottawa. Thirty thousand school children donated pennies to pay for this monument to Canadian volunteers who died in the South African War (Boer War) of 1899–1902.

Description

The monument is comprised of a bronze statue on a stone pedestal. The bronze statue depicts a man dressed in the uniform used during the South African War. He is holding a rifle and has his hat raised above his head. On the pedestal, there are two plaques. The plaques honour sixteen Ottawa volunteers who died in the South African War, in which 267 Canadians lost their lives. The monument was created by the sculptor Hamilton MacCarthy in 1902.

Changes over the years

This memorial had previously been erected in Confederation Square near the National War Memorial 1967-68.

In 2012, the Animals in War Dedication was unveiled next to the South African War Memorial. The location is symbolic because Canada supplied 50,000 horses for the South African War.

Inscription

ERECTED BY 30,000 CHILDREN OF OTTAWA AND ADJOINING COUNTIES IN MEMORY OF
TPTR. G. BRADLEY
DR. R. BRADLEY
GR. E. PIGOTT
CPL. W.S. BRADY
PTE. O.T. BURNS
PTE. H. COTTON
CPL. C. THOMAS
PTE. E. DESLAURIERS
PTE. W.A. HULL
PTE. Z.R.E. LEWIS
PTE. F.J. LIVING
PTE. E. MCINTOSH
PTE. W.H.J. ROSS

WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR
1900 - 1901

NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION