NZ units in South Africa 1899-1902

Page 4 – Kiwi stories

Although histories of war are often dominated by discussion of strategies, leaders and battles, it is also important to remember the ordinary people whose lives were affected, either through active participation or on the home front. The stories below reflect the human face of war, containing tales of hardship, heroism and death. Each biography links to a page with further information.

George Bradford

George Bradford

English-born George Bradford was the first member of a New Zealand military force to be killed while serving overseas. The South African War was not Bradford’s first military experience, as he had served with the Grenadier Guards before settling in New Zealand. He enlisted on 7 October 1899 – five days before the declaration of war – as a farrier (horse shoer) with the First Contingent. More...

Henry Coutts

Henry Coutts

Henry Coutts was one of four colonial soldiers to receive a woollen scarf knitted by Queen Victoria in recognition of an act of gallantry. Born on 14 November 1866 at Coutts Island in Canterbury, he made his living as a farmer at Ngaere in Taranaki before joining No. 1 Company of the First Contingent. More...

Walter Callaway

Walter Callaway

John Walter Callaway (Wāta te Wahahuia) is credited with being the first Māori soldier to serve in the South African War. Born in 1873 in Kikawhakerere, near Coromandel, to a Cornish father and a Māori mother, he was working as a miner when war broke out. Already a member of the Coromandel Volunteer Rifles, Callaway was selected to join the remaining volunteers from the Auckland military district. More...

Lily Rees

Lily Rees

Annie (Lily) Rees was one of the 20 New Zealand women selected to teach Boer children living in concentration camps in South Africa. Australian-born Rees had lived in New Zealand since the age of two. The daughter of a Liberal politician and lawyer, she possessed a strong sense of morality and individuality. More...

How to cite this page

'Kiwi stories', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/nz-units-south-africa/kiwi-stories, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 17-May-2016