Collection search - George Smith fonds [textual record, graphic material]

Record information – Brief
1
George Smith fonds [textual record, graphic material]

Hierarchical level:

Fonds

Date:

1900, 1952.

Reference:

R17319-0-2-E, MG29-E100

Type of material:

Textual material, Photographs

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

101495

Context of this record:

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George Smith fonds
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Record information – Details
Date(s):

1900, 1952.

Place of creation:

No place, unknown, or undetermined

Extent:

0.014 m of textual records.
1 photograph b&w.

Language of material:

English

Scope and content:

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Fonds consists of twenty letters written by Corporal George Smith describing his South African War Service with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, dated 18 January, 1880 - 27 November, 1900. Originals, 65 pages. The letters contain descriptions of Smith's train journey with his unit to Halifax and the voyage to Cape Town on board the transport S.S. Milwaukee, as well as accounts of service in South Africa with his unit's machine gun detachment commanded by Lt. A.L. "Gat" Howard, and brief descriptions of various engagements; two newspaper obituary notices of Smith's death, 1952 and a copy of a photograph of the S.S. Milwaukee, ca. 1900. Originals, 65 pages.

Provenance:

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Smith, George, 1878-1952

Biography/Administrative history:

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Smith, George, 1878-1952 : Soldier

George Smith, born in England, emigrated to Canada with his parents at an early age. In December 1899, after the outbreak of the South African War, he joined the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, later designated the Royal Canadian Dragoons, at Toronto. He sailed from Halifax for South Africa with his unit on board the S.S. Milwaukee on 21 February 1900 disembarking at Cape Town on 26 March.

Shortly after his arrival in South Africa Smith was assigned to the unit's machine gun detachment commanded by Lt. A.L. "Gat" Howard and fought with this detachment throughout most of the campaign. He embarked on the transport Roslin Castle for Canada on 13 December 1900 and was discharged in Canada on 10 January 1901.

After the war Smith served for a period of time as president of the South African War Veterans Association. He also joined the Governor General's Body Guard and eventually retired with the rank of Major. In civilian life he worked for many years in the printing trade. He died in Toronto in 1952.

Finding aid:

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(No finding aid)

Additional information:

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General note:

Received in 1979 from Mrs. H.K. Jackson of Toronto, Ont.
Subject heading:

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South African War, 1899-1902

Milwaukee (Ship) - Photograph, ca.1900 Canada. Army. Royal Canadian Dragoons, 1880-1900

George Smith - Correspondence, 1880-1900 Lieutenant A.L. "Gat" Howard, 1900

Halifax (N.S.) - Description and travel, 1900

Transportation - Canada, 1900

Railroad travel - Canada, 1900

Milwaukee (Ship) - Travel, 1900

Obituaries - Canada, 1952

Cape Town - Description and travel, 1900

Guerre des Boers, 1899-1902
Source:

Private

Related control no.:

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1981-106 NPC

Former archival reference no.:

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MG29-E100
Ordering and viewing options

Conditions of access:

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Textual records

[Consultation90 Open]

Volume [MG29 E 100] 1

[Consultation 90 Open]

Graphic (photo)

[Consultation90 Open]

Box [SMITH, GEORGE 1981-106] 6214

[Consultation 90 Open]

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