Women and the war - New Zealand in the South African ('Boer') War

Women and the war

New Zealand women actively supported their country's participation in the war, which gave women, recently enfranchised, an opportunity to move into the public arena. A small number who voiced an anti-war attitude were labeled pro-Boer, and received little support even from groups known for their anti-military position. After Wilhelmina Sherriff Bain's pacifist speech at the 1900 conference of the National Council of Women, the Executive officially distanced itself from her statements.

A small number of New Zealand women went to the war as nurses and teachers. On the home front women demonstrated their support in many ways. Mothers, sisters, wives and sweethearts personally encouraged enlistment, and some wrote rousing poems, songs and music. Spurred on by the example of Queen Victoria's knitted scarves for soldiers, women made items for New Zealand soldiers ranging from biscuits and other foodstuffs to pajama suits, socks, handkerchiefs, Crimean caps (balaclavas), and flannel cholera belts (waistbands or cummerbunds of flannel or silk believed, incorrectly, to protect against gastrointestinal ailments by keeping away the cold and damp). Women working in woollen mills and sewing shops manufactured over 10,000 new uniform items.

Fundraising

The primary channel for women's war effort was fundraising, especially in support of the Third and Fourth Contingents. Women and girls collected donations for their local More Men Fund, decorated floats and bicycles at floral fetes, performed items, and contributed refreshments at numerous dances and other fundraising entertainments. Maori women participated fully in well publicized fundraising hui at Papawai, Greytown, and at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. Women of wealth and influence were prominent in arranging galas and administering garden parties attended by thousands, such as Mrs Studholme's Merivale fete, which served strawberries and champagne to 2000 and raised £300.

Lady Douglas's carnival

One influential event was Lady Douglas's Patriotic Carnival held at Government House, which attracted 5000 and was publicized in pictorial weeklies throughout the country. A special feature was the performance by a Girls' Khaki Brigade, a specially formed group of 50 young society women (including the Premier's daughter, 'Sergeant' Mary Seddon) dressed in khaki uniforms with skirts and hats, and full range of military titles. Under instruction by officers of the Kelburne Rifles, they drilled with model rifles obtained from school cadet supplies and rode decorated bicycles. Although unofficial and temporary, similar ladies' 'Contingents' were formed in many other centres and were coached in military exercises by local Volunteer officers. These, and other less formal groups dressed in a variety of costumes, performed at local fundraising events and concerts.

Nurses and teachers

New Zealand sent medical officers with each of its contingents and at least 30 New Zealand nurses served in South Africa during the war. As part of efforts to improve conditions at concentration camps, 20 women primary school teachers were sent from New Zealand to South Africa in 1902.

' I see by the papers that about 20 NZ teachers are coming over to the concentration camps. They will have fairly easy times but I do not think I would recommend a girl to leave home for it, unless she could look after herself pretty well. '

From a letter to 'Jack' written by Alexander Robertson Falconer (a doctor who attended the last New Zealander wounded in the war). Supplied by Mary Cowan of Alexandra.

Nursing was the only sphere in which women were directly involved with the war. Most of the 30 or so New Zealand-born or trained nurses who served in South Africa made their own way there from either New Zealand or Britain. At first the imperial government declined offers, but later officially sponsored six nurses recruited in Christchurch. A further seven from Otago and Southland were funded from public subscriptions.

Nurses were stationed at military camp hospitals, most under the control of the Imperial Army Nursing Reserve. Apart from a few who served on hospital trains which came under attack, their greatest risk was from disease and their arduous duties. A few were invalided home in the first months.

Teachers

A group of 20 women teachers also served in South Africa. They were recruited in response to an imperial request in January 1902 to work for one year at schools in the concentration camps housing Boer women and children. Although they did not reach South Africa until after peace had been signed, they taught until the camps were broken up, and then transferred to town or Boer farm schools. Many married or settled in South Africa.

Adapted from the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History, edited by Ian McGibbon with the assistance of Paul Goldstone, (Oxford University Press, 2000).