Barrie in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

South African War

Boer War

— Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail —

South African War Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024

1. South African War Marker

Inscription.
How could the two small independent Afrikaner (Boer) republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State challenge the mighty British Empire? Transvaal was home to the richest gold fields on earth and worth defending. The Boer governments struck against gathering British forces in October 1899, triggering the war. The defeated independent republics were absorbed into the British Empire when the Boer War, now known as the South African War, finally ended in 1902.

Home for Christmas
Like other men from Barrie who volunteered for military service, Private James Halkett Findlay probably believed he would be returning home in time for Christmas when he enlisted in October of 1899. Barrie residents, watching for names of local boys in the Northern Advance, followed the news of the battles and the casualties in what would become the biggest war in nearly a century.

Battle of Paardeberg
The First Canadian Contingent helped Britain capture a Boer army and win the first major imperial victory of the war at the Battle of Paardeberg in early 1900. Barrie and the Simcoe Foresters suffered their first fatality when Private Findlay was killed in the battle. His memorial is still on display in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Owen Street in Barrie.

Canadian Military First
The conflict marked the

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first time in Canadian History that Canada dispatched its volunteer troops to an overseas war. Many French Canadians did not support British imperialism whereas most English Canadians were staunch British supporters. The action distinguished Canada as an independent ally to the British Empire and set the stage for future French-English debate over Canada's role in world affairs.

Erected by Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1899.

Location. 44° 22.437′ N, 79° 40.679′ W. Marker is in Barrie, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It can be reached from Lakeshore Drive 0.9 kilometers west of Minet's Point Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail at Station #2 (Military Heritage) in Military Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 225 Lakeshore Drive, Barrie ON L4N 7Y9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country

and specifically in Georgian Bay Country.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Northwest Rebellion (here, next to this marker); Fenian Raids (a few steps from this marker); Trench Warfare (within shouting distance of this marker); Canadian Victoria Cross Recipients / Bénéficiaires de la Croix Victoria canadien (within shouting distance of this

Marker detail: Troops of the Royal Canadian Regiment crossing Paardeberg Drift image. Click for full size.

Reinhold Thiele / Library and Archives Canada / C-014923

2. Marker detail: Troops of the Royal Canadian Regiment crossing Paardeberg Drift

marker); Vimy Oaks (within shouting distance of this marker); Tulips (within shouting distance of this marker); Francis Pegahmagabow (within shouting distance of this marker); Juno Beach (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barrie.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Military Heritage Park

Also see . . .
1. Second Boer War (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: (11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902) Also known as the Boer War, Transvaal War, Anglo–Boer War, or South African War, it was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer republics (the South African Republic and Orange Free State) over Britain's influence in Southern Africa.
Boer (meaning "farmer") is the common name for Afrikaans-speaking white South Africans descended from the Dutch East India Company's original settlers at the Cape of Good Hope. The origins of the war were complex and stemmed from more than a century of conflict between the Boers and Britain. Of immediate importance, however, was the question of who would control and benefit
Courtesy Grey and Simcoe Foresters Museum

3. Marker detail: James Halkett Findlay Memorial
In memory of James Halkett Findlay, killed at the Battle of Paardeberg, Feb. 18th 1900, Aged 27 Years.
The first Canadian to die in action in South Africa, for British principles.
In life esteemed by all, in death a noble example. ”I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.”
Erected by the Officers & Men of the 35th Regiment, “Simcoe Foresters.”
most from the very lucrative Witwatersrand gold mines, discovered by Jan Gerrit Bantjes in June 1884.

(Submitted on June 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Private James Halkett Findlay (Find A Grave).

Excerpt: (Vendusiedrift Garden of Remembrance, Perdeberg, Xhariep District Municipality, Free State, South Africa) Son of Reverend Findlay of Barrie, Ontario. He was a student at the University in Guelph prior to enlisting. Records show that he was shot through the heart at Paardeberg and was the first Canadian killed in combat on an official overseas expedition. He is commemorated on page 13 of the South African War Book of Remembrance. He is remembered on a plaque at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Barrie, ON.

(Submitted on June 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024

4. South African War Marker

It is the leftmost of two interpretive panels in this photo. The Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail continues eastward on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.