Woodstock - South African War

 

Location:  Oxford County     N 43.13158   W -80.76005

In front of the Oxford County Courthouse, 415 Hunter Street.

 

This memorial was erected by the people of the City of Woodstock and the County of Oxford. This monument was erected in memory of Oxford Rifles members who enlisted and took part in the South African Boer War (1899 - 1902). Colour Sergeant G. W. Leonard fell in battle in May 1901, while Corporal M. Davidson died of enteric fever in May 1902, while serving with the South African Constabulary. The monument bust of Colour Sergeant Leonard stands before the Court House, but was erected in memory of both men, and was unveiled on May 24, 1904. The two cannons on the Court House lawn are over one hundred and fifty years old. Requested by County Council and through the efforts of Hon. James Sutherland, the then federal member of Parliament for Oxford, they were obtained and erected in September, 1900. Dates of 1842 and 1843 are inscribed on the barrels of these muzzle-loading cannons.   *The above is taken from www.veterans.gc.ca.

Sadly, I have no photos of the back of the memorial due to the beautiful landscaping at the rear of the memorial. 

Marker text:

Front:

COLOUR-SERGEANT GEORGE W. LEONARD
22ND. REG. (THE OXFORD RIFLES)
A PRIVATE IN THE 2ND. (S.S.) BATT.
R.C.R. WHO DIED MAY 11TH OF WOUNDS
RECEIVED AT ZAND RIVER, SOUTH AFRICA
ON MAY 10TH 1901.

THIS MEMORIAL WAS ERECTED BY THE
PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK
AND THE COUNTY OF OXFORD. 

 

Back:

CORPORAL MYRTLE DAVIDSON
SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTABULARY
A FORMER MEMBER OF THE 22ND. REG.
(THE OXFORD RIFLES) DIED OF ENTERIC
FEVER IN SOUTH AFRICA ON THE 9TH
DAY OF FEB. 1902.

THIS INSCRIPTION IS ENGRAVED TO
COMMEMORATE HIS SERVICES TO HIS
COUNTRY.