The Boer War (or South African War) was the first overseas conflict to involve New Zealand troops. Between 1899 and 1902 New Zealand was gripped with patriotic fervour, as thousands volunteered to serve in South Africa and those at home engaged in enthusiastic fund-raising and moral support.
The prime minister of the time, Richard Seddon, was eager for New Zealand to be the first colony to land troops in South Africa and succeeded in this aim. The first troop contingent left in 1899 and consisted of men selected from regional volunteer forces. But from then on the remaining nine contingents generally contained a mix of men from the military and civilians who were skilled riders and marksmen.
While the government was keen to send contingents of troops, funding was limited. Public support was needed to buy horses and equip the soldiers, and communities all over New Zealand set to the task with fervour. Patriotic committees were set up to organise the formation of contingents to go to South Africa, and raise the funds needed.
By the time the war ended in early 1902, 10 contingents of volunteers totalling more than 6,500 men (plus 8,000 horses) had sailed for South Africa, along with doctors, nurses, veterinarians and about 20 schoolteachers.
Seventy-one New Zealanders were killed in action or died of wounds, with another 159 dying in accidents or from disease. Dysentery and malaria were common, and sometimes continued to affect people after their return to New Zealand. There was limited support for returned servicemen who had suffered during active service.
Seven men named Matheson or Mathieson left in a New Zealand contingent to fight in the war, and another from New Zealand joined up in South Africa. One from Scotland enlisted in South Africa and emigrated to New Zealand after the war. There were two pairs of brothers among those nine people. All survived the war, but some had troubled lives after their return to New Zealand.
Their stories are told here.
Matheson
| Name Regimental number Rank on discharge | Notes |
| Alister Hugh Matheson 3262 Private/trooper | Farmer from Tauranga, and already a sergeant in the Tauranga Mounted Rifles. Part of the 6th Contingent, which left on the Cornwall on 30 January 1901. Son of Robert and Sarah Matheson. Brother was Ronald Tracey Matheson, who also fought in this war. Served in Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony. Was seriously ill in a military hospital in August 1901. He also served in the First World War (service number 75110) in the 40th Reinforcements in Egypt in 1918–1919. Born 1876, died 1953. Married with children. |
| Angus Matheson 1668 Private | Working as a shearer at Kakanui in Otago when enlisted. Went as part of the 5th Contingent, in 15 Company (Otago Section), New Zealand Mounted Rifles (4th Contingent) Rough Riders. Embarked Gymeric 31 March 1900. Served in Transvaal, Orange Free State, Rhodesia and Cape Colony Angus suffered from malaria and dysentery in South Africa, and was injured when kicked by a horse. He continued to require treatment for malaria after returning home in 1901 and was given two months leave on pay, but no further assistance. He had several brushes with the law for public drunkenness. He enlisted for the First World War (52718) but was rejected as being over age. Born in Stornoway, Scotland, in 1870, the son of Kenneth and Isabella Matheson who emigrated and settled at Kakanui. Died in 1925 and buried at Oamaru. Brother of Donald Matheson (7666), who served in this war. |
| Donald Matheson 7666 Private | Working as a station hand at Kakanui when enlisted. Part of the 9th Contingent, South Island Regiment, C Squadron. Embarked Kent 12 March 1902. Served in South Africa and Transvaal. His character while serving in the military was described as very good, but he fell on hard times after returning to New Zealand. In the years after the Boer War he was repeatedly arrested for drunkenness, and spent time in a rehabilitation facility on Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf (probably by court order). He tried to enlist in 1916 but he was over age. Born in Stornoway, Scotland, in about 1873, the son of Kenneth and Isabella Matheson who emigrated and settled at Kakanui. Died in 1942 and buried at Oamaru. Brother of Angus Matheson (1668), who served in this war. Listed as Donald R Matheson in Online Cenotaph, but in all documents his name (even ‘name in full’) is given only as Donald Matheson. The Dunedin South African war memorial lists D R Matheson as having died in the war. |
| John Matheson 1669 Lieutenant | Self-employed blacksmith from Waikaia in Southland. Born c. 1870. His next of kin was Kenneth Matheson of Metcalfe, Victoria (presumably his father or brother). He joined the 5th Contingent, 15 Company (Otago Section), New Zealand Mounted Rifles 4th Contingent Rough Riders as a Farrier Sergeant. Embarked Gymeric 31 March 1900. Later was with the 7th Contingent. Settled in Roxburgh. Died 1931, buried Roxburgh cemetery. |
| Ronald Tracey Matheson 1048 Sergeant | Born in Tauranga 1874 to Robert and Sarah Matheson. Brother of Alister Hugh Matheson (3262) who also served in this war. Went to South Africa in 1900 and joined the 1st Imperial Light Horse regiment there. After the war he stayed in the country and worked as a miner. He joined a South African regiment in the First World War, and died in action in German West Africa (now Namibia) in April 1915. His First World War story is told here. |
| William Matheson 9536 | Groom from Riversdale in Southland. Born c 1882. Mother Ann Matheson. Joined the 10th Contingent, 8th New Zealand Mounted Rifles, South Island Regiment, H Squadron. |
Mathieson
| Name Regimental number Rank on discharge | Notes |
| Isaac Harper Mathieson 4119 Sergeant | Born in Scotland. Enlisted in South Africa 19 February 1900 in Kitchener’s Horse regiment. After the war moved to New Zealand where his parents (John Mathieson and Isabella Harper) had emigrated, and joined the Police. Married Mary Campbell and had a family. Died in 1954 and buried in Geraldine. |
| Lewis Mathieson 3766 Private | Ironworker, Burnside, Dunedin. Father John Mathieson. 6th Contingent, 20 Company. Embarked Cornwall 30 January 1901. New Zealand Mounted Rifles. Served Transvaal, Cape Colony and Orange Free State. Born c 1880, died 1948. Married Ann. Buried Green Island cemetery, Dunedin. |
| William Mathieson 8017 Private | Cattle drover from Dunedin. Joined the 9th Contingent, South Island Regiment, C Squadron New Zealand Mounted Rifles and embarked on the Kent on 12 March 1902. |
