Shades

The South African War began in October 1899 and would rage on until March 1902.

There were many reasons for its outbreak but primary was the fact that the South African Republic (Transvaal Republic) had a wealth of gold which the British Empire wanted.

The majority opinion within the Empire (and this was echoed by Victor Drake) was that the war would be sharp and short, lasting a mere two weeks, certainly no more than a month or two.

The war in fact lasted for over two years and caused great devastation to life on both sides of the conflict.

By August 1899 it was clear that war was inevitable. By September a wave of refugees began to leave the Transvaal, mostly women and children sent out of Johannesburg by their spouses. These refugees, believing that the war would be short, chose the coastal towns like East London for refuge.

When war broke out in October, many of the English men in Johannesburg also left. The majority went to join their wives and children at the coast, but many (like Victor Drake) chose to enlist in the Imperial Army.

For those who chose to stay in Johannesburg, life was difficult. The Boer Government did not trust them. Indeed, many were expelled in March the following year, and had no transport other than riding in cattle trucks, followed by a life of poverty until the war was over.

Others were herded into the mines and were forced (like Crispin) into harsh labour with little pay.