Location: City of Ottawa N 45.42234 W -75.69222
In Confederation Park, northeast of the fountain.
"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.
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.
This memorial had previously been erected in Confederation Square near the National War Memorial 1967-8.
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."
"The Animals in War Dedication honours animals that served
alongside their human comrades in war. It is symbolically set next to
the South African War Memorial,
a battle for which Canada supplied 50,000 horses for mounted troops.
The footprints of dogs, horses and mules are stamped into the concrete
of the Animals in War Dedication, representing the marks they left on
the battlefield. Three bronze plaques depict animals in war
and provide interesting facts about their roles, their sacrifices, and
their unwavering loyalty. Among the roles animals have played in war:
- Mules: Carried panniers and artillery.
- Horses: Carried mounted troops and hauled field guns.
- Carrier pigeons: Delivered messages to specific destinations.
- Dogs: Used as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors, and search and rescue workers.
A bronze, life-sized statue of a medical service dog stands guard
over the dedication. It is wearing an authentic replica of a medical
backpack that war dogs used during the First World War. Canada’s
military still employs dogs to this day. The Animals in War Dedication
was created in 2012 by Canadian artist and sculptor David Clendining."
*the above taken from https://www.veterans.gc.ca/
Marker text:
(top plaque)
ERECTED BY
30,000 CHILDREN OF OTTAWA
AND ADJOINING COUNTIES
IN MEMORY OF
TPTR. G. BRADLEY PTE. W.J. LESLIE
DVR. R. BRADLEY PTE. F.J. LIVING
CPL. W.S. BRADY TPR. G.O. MANN
PTE. O.T. BURNS PTE. E. MCINTOSH
PTE. H. COTTON GNR. E. PICOT
PTE. E. DESLAURIERS SGT. W.H. REA
PTE. W.A. HULL PTE. W.H.J. ROSS
PTE. Z.R.E. LEWIS CPL. G. THOMAS
WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR
1899 - 1902
(lower plaque)
CE MONUMENT A ÉTÉ ÉRIGE GRÂCE À LA GÉNÉROSITÉ DE 30000 ENFANTS
D’OTTAWA ET DES COMTÉS AVOISINANTS. IL HONORE LA MÉMOIRE DES PERSONNES
DONT LE NOM APPARAIT CE-DESSUS ET QUI ONT PERDU LA VIE DURANT LA GUERRE
DES BOERS DE 1899 – 1902.
NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION
COMMISSION DE LA CAPITALE NATIONALE
Animals in War Memorial:
Left side:
Animals in War
For centuries, animals have demonstrated an enduring
partnership with
humans during times of war. They have
served as means of
transportation, beasts of burden,
messengers, protectors and mascots.
Still today, dogs
use their unique, sharply tuned instincts to detect
mine
clusters, and conduct search and rescue operations. We
remember the
contribution and sacrifice of all animals.
Les animaux en temps de guerre
Pendant des siècles, les animaux ont été les partenaires
indéfectibles des humains en temps de guerre. Ils ont
servi de moyens de
transport, de bêtes de somme, de
messagers, de protecteurs et de
mascottes. Encore de nos
jours, les chiens se servent de leur instinct
exceptionnel
pour détecter les champs de mines et mener des
opérations
de recherche et de sauvetage. Nous saluons
la contribution et le
sacrifice de tous les animaux.
Centre:
Relentless shelling in the First World War
(1914 – 1918) left huge
craters of mud and sewage.
Horses and mules could best navigate these
difficult conditions to supply the front and
evacuate the wounded.
Les bombardements intensifs de la Première Guerre
mondiale (1914 –
1918) ont laissé d’immenses cratères
de boue at d’eaux usées. Les
chevaux et les mules
pouvaient mieux affronter ces conditions difficiles
pour approvisionner le front et évacuer les blessés.
Right side:
Horse carried soldiers, and
pulled gun carriages, supply
wagons and
ambulances.
Many paid the ultimate price
and their loss was mourned
by
those they served.
Les chevaux ont transporté les
soldats, et tire les affûts de canon,
les chariots d’approvisionnement
et les ambulances. Beaucoup ont
péri et
ceux qu’ils servaient ont
pleuré leur perte.