Jim Wallace

Knowing No Fear: The Canadian Scouts in South Africa 1900 - 1902 Jim Wallace

This book tells the story of the Canadian Scouts, a small, well-armed, aggressive unit of scouts formed in South Africa in1900 by a group of Canadians who had finished their tours with other units. It was not an official Canadian unit but a mounted irregular force raised in South Africa by the British. As time went on it had many members from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Britain. The original members imbued the unit with a bit of a Òwild westÓ attitude and the Scouts fostered this swashbuckling image. Unlike some other units they made no attempt to emulate Imperial units and eschewed British Army spit and polish and parade ground discipline. Rumours of unorthodox behaviour ran rife throughout the unitÕs short eighteen-month life, leaving the story of the Canadian Scouts surrounded by myths, some founded in fact and others the product of an active imagination. Nobody questioned the ScoutsÕ ability to fight and any general would have been thankful to have them under his command in wartime. The book is based on official records, newspaper reports, personal reminiscences and letters. To the extent possible the story is told in the words of those taking part. The book contains lists of casualties and honours and awards as well as a complete combination nominal roll and medal roll. There are a number of maps and photographs.