Kit and Equipment of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment in South Africa during the Boer war

Authored by Graham Humphrey, edited by Colin Sedgwick-Pinn.

When war was declared on the Boers in South Africa in October 1899, Canada’s small standing Regular army only consisted of the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, the Royal Canadian Artillery, the Canadian Engineers, and the Royal Canadian Dragoons. The Canadian Government pledged it would raise a new 1,000-man Battalion of Infantry, which would be designated the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry (2RCRI). To support these efforts, each militia battalion was called upon to supply contingents for this new Battalion of Infantry, as the Regular Army was not big enough to provide any additional personnel. The militia contingents were drawn from not just regular infantry battalions, but from every trade of the Canadian Militia at that time. The Queen’s Own Rifles would contribute 34 men to C Company, which was formed by members of the Toronto militia units.

Members of G Coy 2RCR – Authors Collection

“According to arrangements already made by the Minister of Militia, the contingent was to be sent to South Africa in the dark serge uniforms of the rifle regiments of the Canadian service, uniforms of khaki to be taken on the troop ship and served out just before the arrival of the force in South Africa.” (Pg 124 History of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada By Captain E.J. Chambers)

2nd SS Bn. Royal Canadian Regiment Inf., Onboard, SS Sardinian, South African War, Nov. 1899. (4)

“8 November 1899, Mr Benoit conducted an audit of how many of the uniforms were delivered by HE Sanford and Co of Hamilton. This was:

2207 Rifles Frocks at $8585.00
1773 Rifles Trousers at $4716.00
1325 Khaki Frocks $2650.00
2220 Khaki Trousers $275

Total costs of the uniforms for the 2^nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry was $16226.00^[1]”

The issued helmet that the volunteers wore during the Boer war was the white home service helmet that the Canadian Regulars and Militia wore. The white home service helmets with rifles furniture, were made by Dominion in London England. Once the Battalion was aboard the SS Sardinian, their white helmets were turned into stores to be dyed a coffee colour. Once dried, they were issued back to the Battalion on 18 th November 1899. At this time, the soldiers of the Battalion attached a white puggaree (a light scarf wrapped around the pith helmet). On 6th January 1900, before the Battle of Paardeburg, the Battalion was issued British-made khaki helmet covers, which covered the entirety of the helmet. The Maple Leaf cap badge was fixed to the left side of the home service helmet, and once issued, the badge was fixed to the helmet cover as well.

Cap badge of the battalion was “An oxidized “Maple Leaf” helmet plate and a pair of collar badges of the same design, but smaller.”

The undress cap worn by the Battalion was of the Dark Blue Field Service Cap. This cap would have two small brass Canada Militia buttons and the Canada maple leaf cap badge worn on the left side.

Reproduction Field Service Cap – Colin Sedgwick-Pinn

Original 2RCRI Cap Badge – Richard Law’s Collection

Original Boer War Collar dog – Richard Law’s Collection

The leather equipment used by the battalion was of the 1899 Oliver Equipment. At the time, this leather equipment was supplied by the Adams Bros of 176/8 King St. East, Toronto. [1]

What was supplied:

“The complete Oliver Equipment consisted of the following items:

1 Waistbelt

1 Ammunition pouch, 80 rounds

1 Bayonet frog

1 main brace (or yoke) with front straps

Worn by Pte Ropeson – Authors Collection

2 crutches with hook

2 buckling pieces with hook

1 cape brace

1 crutch for cape brace

2 greatcoat straps

1 mess-tin strap

1 mess tins and brown canvas cover

1 waterbottle holder

1 haversacks valise

1 white canvas kit bag”

Kitbags and Haversack Valises stacked before heading out from Cape Town – Authors Collection

Tangled web pg 42

Full Original Oliver Equipment with addition of a Round canteen adopted before the Battle of Paardeberg (uniform is a reproduction) – Authors Collection

Member of G Coy 2RCRI before leaving Cape Town wearing Oliver equipment without the yoke – Authors Collection

Members getting ready to leave Cape Town – Authors Collection

White Haversacks were supplied by S&H Borbridge, Ottawa, at 38 cents each. [1]

Adams Bros of Toronto also supplied the Valices to the battalion.^[1]

Original Haversack but dyed Brown which was done by the QOR Militia – Authors Collection

Water bottles and waterproof sheets for the contingent were made by Lewis Bros & Co. Of Montreal^[1]

1899 Oliver Glass Canteen and Carrier (missing the cork closure) – Authors Collection

Unique to the Canadian contingent, at the start of the war the entire battalion was gifted 1000 web bandoleers, made by Thomas O. Orndorff Esq of Worcester Mass, USA. These bandoleers were gifted to the contingent in hopes it would boost sales for their newly invented canvas cartridge holder. These bandoleers held 50 rounds. [1]

Original Thomas O. Orndorff bandoleer used by Lieutenant Temple 2RCRI – Authors Collection

Named Lt Temple 2RCRI – Authors Collection

Shown here is the Bandoleer worn – Photo from Scarlet to Khaki by Clive M. Law

Timeline

The following is a timeline of when equipment was purchased or issued to 2RCRI:

3 Aug 1899,

Gentlemen,

I be leave to inform you that your offer has been accepted to furnish Five hundred (500) White Haversacks at Thirty-eight (38) cents each to this Department, to be made from linen to the sample you submitted yesterday, and to be in accordance with our standard pattern in all other respects.

Benoit
To Mesers, S & H Borbridge,
Ottawa^[1]

7 Nov 1899

Dominion London,

Require one thousand White Helmets of assorted sizes with or without fittings except crowns, at Quebec fifteen days hence. Rifles fittings preferred but otherwise Infantry. Can you obtain an express quote price?^[1]

8 Nov 1899

George Sweet,

Sanford Mfg Co Hamilton Department is well pleased with your activity and promptness. I am not body to give order to cut green serge for you can go on with one thousand khaki frocks – Get green serge forwarded by freight instead by express until further not which cheque to days probably.

Benoit^[1]

14 Nov 1899

Dear Sir,

Owing to the pressure of work coming before him in connection with the despatch of our Canadian Contingent to South Africa and also in relation to other Departmental matters urgently needing attention the Honourable Dr. Borden, Minister of Militia and Defence, has not had, until, an opportunity to acknowledge your very handsome gift of one thousand bandoleers presented to the Government of Canada for the service of the men of the Contingent of Canada for the service of the men of the Contingent and delivered direct to them by yourself at Quebec prior to their departure for the Transvaal.

Dr. Borden has now directed me to state, that although there were many and valuable gifts of various kinds sent to the men from different sources, yet there were none that will, it is thought, be of more practical utility than the Bandoliers you have so generously contributed.

We hope that when the Contingent returns we may be able to learn from the Officer in Command to what extent the Belts have been of service, and the opinion generally held among the officers and the men as to their usefulness in Active Service.

I remain, dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
A Benoit Captain, Secretary.

To:
Thomas O. Orndorff Esq. 51 Union Street, Worcester, Mass. USA ^[1]

18 Nov 1899

Helmets were issued again after being dyed coffee colour by the Quarter Master’s Dept. *Diary of Edgar Henry Redway C Coy 2 RCR^[3]

20 Nov 1899

Arrangments are also being made for the issue of the khaki uniforms and the balance of articles necessary for field service in anticipation of an early embarkation the first of next week. *Diary of Edgar Henry Redway C Coy 2 RCR^[3]

21 Nov 1899

Preparations for landing still going on. Helmets are nearly all dyed (coffee colour) and the Puggarees being sewn on. *Diary of Edgar Henry Redway C Coy 2 RCR^[3]

23 Nov 1899

C Coy was issued this afternoon with Khaki uniforms, unfortunately, there are not enough uniforms on board to equip the Regt. Consequently, we shall not be able to land in them. Others are expected from Canada immediately. *Diary of Edgar Henry Redway C Coy 2 RCR^[3]

25 Nov 1899

This afternoon the officers paraded in their full Khaki uniforms and undertook an inspection by the CG. *Diary of Edgar Henry Redway C Coy 2 RCR^[3]

27 Nov 1899

C Coy had a short parade at 330 pm & received a curtain lecture from the Capt Re embarkation & general conduct on shore etc. We also received our field kits immediately after dismissal & proceeded to get things in order for landing. *Diary of Edgar Henry Redway C Coy 2 RCR^[3]

On account of a shortage of Khaki uniforms, the right half battalion only will land in the above dress. The balance will be secure in Cape Town. Today every man received a bandolier presented by an American firm. *Diary of Edgar Henry Redway C Coy 2 RCR^[3]

6 Dec 1899

Received 100 rounds ammunition *Diary of Edgar Henry Redway C Coy 2 RCR^[3]

26 Dec 1899

C Coy was issued with regular British water bottles to the joy of us all. Ours having been proved to be of no use. *Diary of Edgar Henry Redway C Coy 2 RCR^[3]

6 Jan 1900

Helmet covers issued *Diary of Edgar Henry Redway C Coy 2 RCR^[3]