Trooper Stackwood's account of the Boer War

This material is held atBorthwick Institute for Archives, University of York

Scope and Content

* 'An account of the Boer War, 1899-1901', written by Walter Stackwood (typescript, 15pp). Trooper Stackwood was a member of the [Second] New Zealand contingent.
* Photograph of six Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurses, and three soldiers (one of whom is Walter Stackwood) in the grounds of the Wanderers VAD hospital, Johannesburg, July 1918.

Administrative / Biographical History

Trooper Walter Stackwood was born on 27 September 1874. From Woodend in Canterbury, New Zealand, he was a member of the Second New Zealand Contingent during the South African War in 1899. He enlisted in Waitotara. The 2nd New Zealand Contingent was comprised of soldiers from both the Volunteer Force and regular military force. The Contingent embarked from Wellington on the SS 'Waiwera' on 20 January 1900. He rejoined in 1901. After the war he returned to South Africa. He enlisted in the South African Regiment in the First World War. On his return from war, he began farming, having received land and a house from the Government. He married in 1920 and remained in South Africa until 1933, when he settled in Cumberland, England, where he remained until his death in 1944.

Acquisition Information

Gifted by the family of Walter Stackwood, February 1977.

Note

Trooper Walter Stackwood was born on 27 September 1874. From Woodend in Canterbury, New Zealand, he was a member of the Second New Zealand Contingent during the South African War in 1899. He enlisted in Waitotara. The 2nd New Zealand Contingent was comprised of soldiers from both the Volunteer Force and regular military force. The Contingent embarked from Wellington on the SS 'Waiwera' on 20 January 1900. He rejoined in 1901. After the war he returned to South Africa. He enlisted in the South African Regiment in the First World War. On his return from war, he began farming, having received land and a house from the Government. He married in 1920 and remained in South Africa until 1933, when he settled in Cumberland, England, where he remained until his death in 1944.

New Zealand contributed ten contingents of mounted rifles towards the British Crown's efforts in the Second Boer War (also known as the South Africa War).

Bibliography

* James, Lawrence. The Savage Wars: British Campaigns in Africa, 1870-1920. 1985.
* Hewison, Hope Hay. Hedge of Wild Almonds, South Africa, the 'Pro-Boers' & the Quaker Conscience 1890-1910. London, James Currey, 1989.

Additional Information

Published

Geographical Names