Boer War research can be confusing at first because there were actually two Boer Wars.

The First Boer War was fought from 1880 to 1881 whereas the Second Boer War lasted longer,
from 1899 to 1902.

The First Boer War began when farmers of the Transvaal Republic fired upon a British army garrison
which they perceived to be invading their territory.

The war escalated with further attacks being made on British credits stationed throughout the Transvaal.

Due to the stealth of the Boers and their unconventional rifles, combined with the easily identified bright red uniforms of the British soldiers, the Boers retained the upper hand throughout.

Finally, William Gladstone, then Britain’s prime minister, signed a treaty allowing the Boers to self-govern the Transvaal.

The Second Boer War followed a heavy influx of foreign gold prospectors to the Transvaal and the determination of Britain to gain control of the region.

The Boers in the Transvaal joined forces with the Orange Free State and the war lasted for two and a half years, leaving 75,000 casualties in its wake.

The Transvaal and Orange Free State were both annexed into the British Empire and the Union of South Africa was formally created in 1910.

Of those killed in the Second Boer War, around 22,000 were British soldiers, either having perished in battle or died from disease.

Findmypast.co.uk’s military records enable you to search army lists for both of the Boer Wars.