Here’s a list of readings on Canadian military participation in the Boer War, providing a variety of perspectives on Canada's involvement in the conflict:
Books:
Carman Miller, Painting the Map Red: Canada and the South African War, 1899-1902
This is the definitive work on Canada’s involvement in the Boer War. It covers the political debates, military actions, and social impacts of the war on Canadians.
Desmond Morton, When Your Number's Up: The Canadian Soldier in the First World War
Though this book focuses primarily on the First World War, it provides valuable background on the Boer War as an early moment of Canadian international military engagement.
Douglas L. LePan, Bright Glass of Memory
LePan offers a poetic and reflective account of Canada's involvement in the Boer War, particularly its effect on national identity.
Terry Copp, The Canadian Experience of War: A Guide to Memoirs of War, 1914-1918, 1939-1945
While not exclusively about the Boer War, Copp includes sections about how early conflicts, including the Boer War, shaped Canadian military tradition.
Charles P. Stacey, Canada and the British Army, 1846-1871: A Study in the Practice of Responsible Government
This work gives a broader context for Canada’s involvement in British military affairs, including the Boer War as a key moment in that history.
Bill Rawling, Survivors: Canadian Military Doctors in War and Peace
Offers some information about the medical services provided by Canadian units during the Boer War and subsequent conflicts.
Journal Articles:
Carman Miller, “Canada's Little War: Fighting for Empire in South Africa,” The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History (1999).
An article focusing on how the Boer War influenced Canada's role in the British Empire and its military.
Desmond Morton, “The Cadre Militaire Francophone and the South African War,” Canadian Military History (1996).
This piece examines the participation of Francophone soldiers from Quebec in the Boer War, a contentious issue at the time.
Jonathan Vance, “Maple Leaves and Slouch Hats: Canada's Role in the Boer War,” The Beaver (2000).
A popular history article providing a good overview of the Canadian soldiers who fought in the Boer War and their experiences.
Carman Miller, “Loyal Service: Perspectives on French-Canadian Participation in the South African War,” Histoire Sociale/Social History (1993).
This article focuses on French-Canadian participation in the Boer War, exploring the complex relationship between Quebec and the British Empire.
Primary Sources:
John M. Clarke, Gallant Canadians: The Story of the Tenth Canadian Field Battery in the South African War (1912).
A firsthand account of one of the Canadian units that fought in the Boer War, offering insight into their experiences and challenges.
Richard Harding Davis, With Both Armies in South Africa (1901).
Although not focused solely on Canada, this firsthand account by an American journalist covers battles that involved Canadian forces.
Letters and Diaries of Canadian Soldiers in the Boer War (various).
Several collections of letters and diaries have been published that include entries from soldiers who served in the Boer War. These firsthand accounts offer invaluable perspectives on the experience of Canadian troops.
Online Resources:
Canadian War Museum: Boer War Collection
The museum’s online exhibits provide digital access to artifacts, documents, and images related to Canada's participation in the Boer War.
Library and Archives Canada: South African War (Boer War) Database
This online resource offers access to records of Canadian soldiers who fought in the Boer War.
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Boer War Entry
A detailed overview of Canada’s involvement in the Boer War, providing key facts and historical context.
These readings should provide a thorough understanding of Canada’s military participation in the Boer War from multiple angles: political, military, and social.