Why collect Boer War relics?
Collecting Boer War relics allows the collector to come into physical contact with history and with those who participated in it. It is an interesting experience to read on a certain aspect of Boer War history and then be able to hold or own an item that was actually there. Information is contained in war relics. Owning an item is part of the learning experience – it helps bring history alive. But why collect artefacts from the Boer War? Since the Boer War was a significant conflict in 20th Century history, and since many live to a degree, with the consequences of it today, the fascination is understandable. Understanding the Boer War and the events that took place around it helps us understand why some things are defined as they are today. For some, there may be a personal or family connection to the war – collecting can preserve the memory of their family’s contributions, it can also help them connect and reconcile events that were directly or indirectly significant in their personal
