Collection search - Robert Percy Rooke fonds [textual record]

Record information – Brief
1
Robert Percy Rooke fonds [textual record]

Hierarchical level:

Fonds

Date:

1900-1954.

Reference:

R2173-0-9-E, MG30-E357

Type of material:

Textual material

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

102051

Context of this record:

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Robert Percy Rooke fonds
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Record information – Details
Fonds includes:

2 lower level description(s)
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Date(s):

1900-1954.

Place of creation:

No place, unknown, or undetermined

Extent:

74 cm of textual records.

Language of material:

English

Scope and content:

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Fonds consists of reminiscences of Robert Percy Rooke, for the period 1900 to 1908, recording his South African War service, as well as his post-war life in South Africa, n.d., 1952; and correspondence of Robert, Charles, and George Rooke, 1900-1954.

Provenance:

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Rooke, Robert Percy, 1879-1958

Biography/Administrative history:

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Rooke, Robert Percy, 1879-1958 : Robert Percy Rooke, soldier, was born in 1879 at South Shields, Devon, England, and immigrated to western Canada with his parents at an early age. After the outbreak of the South African War, he and his brother Charles (1876 - ca. 1955) joined the Strathcona's Horse at Winnipeg in February, 1900. The regiment, commanded by Sam Steele, reached South Africa in April, 1900, and served with General Sir Redvers Buller's Natal Field Force from June to October, 1900. During October-November, the Strathcona's Horse operated with Major-General Geoffrey Barton's forces along the Krugersdorp-Potchesfstroom railway line. In December, 1900, the regiment served with General C.E. Knox's column in pursuit of Christian De Wet.

On 20 January 1901, Strathcona's Horse embarked for England, arriving there on 13 February. After attending various receptions in England, the regiment sailed for Canada. Robert and Charles Rooke remained in England on furlough. Robert returned to Canada in May, and Charles in June, 1901. In December, 1901, Robert and Charles re-enlisted for service in South Africa, joining a younger brother, George Rooke (1883-1949), in the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles.

The regiment commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel T.D.B. Evans, sailed for South Africa in January, 1902, reaching Durban in February. The 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles served with General Walter Kitchener's division, engaged in drives against the Boers in the western Transvaal, from March to May, 1902. The war ended with the Treaty of Vereeniging, 31 May 1902. The regiment embarked at Durban for Canada on 27 June. Although George Rooke accompanied the regiment home to Canada, Robert and Charles elected to take their discharges in South Africa, and remained to work for the South African railway system. Robert Rooke returned to Canada in 1908, but his brother Charles spent the rest of his life in South Africa.

Finding aid:

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(No finding aid)

Additional information:

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General note:

Received in 1981 from Miss Thelma Rooke of Downsview, Ont.
Note the original reminiscences are very fragile and have been placed with our reserve documents. A photocopy is available for research, n.d., 1952, 26 cm, (127 pages).
Subject heading:

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South African War, 1899-1902

South African War, 1899-1902, [1900-1902] Canada. Army. 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, 1901-1902

Quality of life - South Africa, 1902-1908 Canada. Army. Lord Strathcona's Horse, 1900-1901

Maps, Military, 1900

Lone Tree Hill (South Africa), Battle of, 1900

Belfast (South Africa), Battle of, 1900

Frederickstad (South Africa), Battle of, 1900

Badfontein (South Africa) - Maps, 1900

Spitz Kop (South Africa) - Maps, 1900

Robert Rooke - Journeys, 1900

Charles Rooke - Journeys, 1900

George Rooke - Journeys, 1900

Robert Rooke - Correspondence, 1900

Charles Rooke - Correspondence, 1900

George Rooke - Correspondence, 1900

Bosehbult (South Africa), Battle of , 1902

Harts River (South Africa), Battle of, 1902

Guerre des Boers, 1899-1902
Source:

Private

Former archival reference no.:

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MG30-E357
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Date modified:: 2024-06-04