The first annual South African Veterans Banquet took place at the Hotel Yorkton on Second Avenue, Tuesday, December 15, 1908.The hotel’s menu was quite outstanding: Examples are: Purée of chicken soup; B.C. Salmon; English Walnuts; Chicken Croquets; Prime Ribs of Beef; Leg of lamb; Turkey; Green Peas in crème; Deep Apple Pie; Lemon Pie; English Plum Pudding; etc.
THE BOER WAR: This conflict from 1899 to 1902 was between the South African Republic and Great Britain. The Boers, who were of Dutch descent, were opposed to Britain’s encroachment into South African Territories. After Britain sent armed forces to protect its commercial rights, an all-out war erupted. Britain asked Canada for assistance. However, there were no provisions in the Militia Act of Canada allowing for organization of armed forces except for the direct defense of the colony. As a compromise, the Laurier government provided for transportation and equipment to those Canadian volunteers who wanted to join the British army. In Yorkton, several men loyal to the Crown joined and fought in this war. In 1908, according to the newspaper, there were nine Boer War veterans in Yorkton-T.Gilbert, G.S. Mayo, R. Shaw, R. Sinclair, A.W. Prior, G. Rutherford, J.H. Iving, A.P. Atkins, and J.C. de Balinhard. When men returned from the war in 1902, Yorkton held welcoming ceremonies. Years later, Yorkton resident Janet Young Walden recalled a bonfire and the singing of wartime songs.
