Harold Lothrop Borden
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Harold Lothrop Borden, (23 May 1876 - 16 July 1900) was from Canning, Nova Scotia
and the only son of Canada's Minister of Militia and Defence, Frederick William Borden
. He became the most famous Canadian casualty of the Second Boer War
. Queen Victoria asked F. W. Borden for a photograph of his son, Prime Minister
Wilfrid Laurier
praised his services, tributes arrived from across Canada, and in his home town a monument (by Hamilton MacCarthy) was erected to his memory.
Bordon's military career began in 1893, when he entered the King's Canadian Hussars
. In 1897, as a member of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
Contingent he received the Jubilee Medal. By 1899 he rose to Major in command of this corps. At the outbreak of the Second Boer War
Borden received a commission as Lieutenant with the 1st Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles
and allotted to the 1st Battalion, "B" Squadron as Officer Commanding the 4th Troop. He was brought to the attention of Field Marshal Lord Roberts
', the British commander-in-chief in South Africa, for repeatedly swimming with Richard Turner
across the Vet River at Coetzee's Drift, to draw the fire of the Boers who were dug in on the north bank (5 May 1900).
Borden also fought with distinction at the Battle of Faber's Put(30 May 1900). The battle was one of the most desperate actions faced by Canadians while campaigning in South Africa: 27 killed and 41 wounded and the loss of a large number of horses. Field Marshal Lord Roberts reported: “Lieut. H. L. Borden, gallant conduct in swimming the Vet River under fire, 5th May, and in capturing some of the enemy’s wagons on 30th May.”
The death of Lieutenant Harold Lothrop Borden at Witpoort
on 16 July 1900 occurred when Lieutenant John Edgar Burch and he, when rendering assistance to the Royal Irish Fusiliers
and some New Zealanders to withstand a Boer assault on Witpoort ridge, they led a counter-attack. It was successful, but Boer marksmen standing at less than 200 metres, shot them as they stood up to lead the assault. Lord Roberts reported to the War Office that Borden and Burch "were killed while gallantly leading their men in a counter attack upon the enemy's flank at a critical juncture of his assault upon our position."
Canning, Nova Scotia
Canning, Nova Scotia is a village in northeastern Kings County located at the crossroads of Route 221 and Route 358.-History:The area was originally settled by Acadians who were expelled in 1755 during the Acadian Expulsion...
and the only son of Canada's Minister of Militia and Defence, Frederick William Borden
Frederick William Borden
Sir Frederick William Borden, KCMG, PC was a Canadian politician. While he was the Minister for Militia and Defence, he was the father of the most famous Canadian casualty of the Second Boer War Harold Lothrop Borden...
. He became the most famous Canadian casualty of the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
. Queen Victoria asked F. W. Borden for a photograph of his son, Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Wilfrid Laurier
Wilfrid Laurier
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, GCMG, PC, KC, baptized Henri-Charles-Wilfrid Laurier was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 6 October 1911....
praised his services, tributes arrived from across Canada, and in his home town a monument (by Hamilton MacCarthy) was erected to his memory.
Bordon's military career began in 1893, when he entered the King's Canadian Hussars
1st Hussars
The 1st Hussars is an armoured Primary Reserve regiment of the Canadian Forces, currently based in London, Ontario and Sarnia, Ontario.-Foundation and organisation:...
. In 1897, as a member of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
Diamond Jubilee
A Diamond Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 60th anniversary in the case of a person or a 75th anniversary in the case of an event.- Thailand :...
Contingent he received the Jubilee Medal. By 1899 he rose to Major in command of this corps. At the outbreak of the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
Borden received a commission as Lieutenant with the 1st Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles
Canadian Mounted Rifles
Canadian Mounted Rifles was part of the designation of several mounted infantry units in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.* The Canadian Mounted Rifle Corps, formed in 1885, now part of The Royal Canadian Dragoons...
and allotted to the 1st Battalion, "B" Squadron as Officer Commanding the 4th Troop. He was brought to the attention of Field Marshal Lord Roberts
Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts
Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, Bt, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, KStJ, PC was a distinguished Indian born British soldier who regarded himself as Anglo-Irish and one of the most successful British commanders of the 19th century.-Early life:Born at Cawnpore, India, on...
', the British commander-in-chief in South Africa, for repeatedly swimming with Richard Turner
Richard Ernest William Turner
Lieutenant General Sir Richard Ernest William Turner VC, KCB, KCMG, DSO was a Canadian army officer during the Boer War and World War I, and a recipient of the Victoria Cross...
across the Vet River at Coetzee's Drift, to draw the fire of the Boers who were dug in on the north bank (5 May 1900).
Borden also fought with distinction at the Battle of Faber's Put(30 May 1900). The battle was one of the most desperate actions faced by Canadians while campaigning in South Africa: 27 killed and 41 wounded and the loss of a large number of horses. Field Marshal Lord Roberts reported: “Lieut. H. L. Borden, gallant conduct in swimming the Vet River under fire, 5th May, and in capturing some of the enemy’s wagons on 30th May.”
Witpoort, Gauteng
Witpoort is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in Region 2. Site of the Battle of Witpoort during the Second Boer War....
on 16 July 1900 occurred when Lieutenant John Edgar Burch and he, when rendering assistance to the Royal Irish Fusiliers
Royal Irish Fusiliers
The Royal Irish Fusiliers was an Irish infantry regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation of the 87th Regiment of Foot and the 89th Regiment of Foot in 1881. The regiment's first title in 1881 was Princess Victoria's , changed in 1920 to The Royal Irish Fusiliers...
and some New Zealanders to withstand a Boer assault on Witpoort ridge, they led a counter-attack. It was successful, but Boer marksmen standing at less than 200 metres, shot them as they stood up to lead the assault. Lord Roberts reported to the War Office that Borden and Burch "were killed while gallantly leading their men in a counter attack upon the enemy's flank at a critical juncture of his assault upon our position."