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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Buffs and Royal East Kent Imperial Yeomanry - Boer War

    Buffs and Royal East Kent Imperial Yeomanry - Boer War

    Source: Copyright KentFallen 2002-6

    1/5

    Current Location

    South Africa Memorial, Dane John Gardens, off Watling Street or Castle Row, Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2RN, England

    OS Grid Reference

    TR 14853 57421

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-16387

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    Type of Memorial
    Composite
    WMR Reference Number
    16387
    Description
    Obelisk rising from a panelled base. Three faces have the names of officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the East Kent regiments who were killed in action or died of disease in the South African Campaign. Front supports a pedestal with a figure of a soldier in Boer War campaign dress, standing at ease with slouch hat and bandolier. According to Gildea (see ref) he "looks towards South Africa". Regimental badges on each appropriate face. Wreath on front face behind head of soldier.
    Inscription
    TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY AND IN GRATEFUL / REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEVOTED AND HEROIC SERVICE / OF THE OFFICERS NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN OF / THE BUFFS - EAST KENT REGIMENT / AND OF THE / IMPERIAL YEOMANRY OF EAST KENT / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE COUNTRY'S CAUSE / DURING THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA 1899 - 1902 / THIS MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ERECTED BY THEIR COM / -RADES IN ARMS BELONGING TO EAST KENT REGIMENTS / AND BY THEIR SORROWING FRIENDS IN THE COUNTY // Face 1: ROYAL EAST KENT / IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. / KILLED IN ACTION. / (9 NAMES) / DIED FROM WOUNDS OR DISEASE. / (17 NAMES) / 1ST VOLUNTEER BATTALION / "THE BUFFS" / DIED FROM DISEASE. / (5 NAMES) / 2ND VOLUNTEER BATTALION / "THE BUFFS" / DIED FROM DISEASE. / (7 NAMES) // Face 2: 2ND BATTALION "THE BUFFS". / KILLED IN ACTION OR DIED OF WOUNDS / (70 NAMES) / DIED FROM DISEASE. / (28 NAMES) // Face 3: 2ND VOLUNTEER BATTALION "THE BUFFS". / DIED FROM DISEASE - CONTINUED / (66 NAMES) / 3RD. BATTALION "THE BUFFS". / KILLED IN ACTION. / (2 NAMES) / DIED FROM DISEASE. / (29 NAMES)
    War
    Boer War; Second (1899-1902)
    Number Commemorated
    233
    Died
    233
    Information shown
    Regiment, battalion, manner of death, rank, forename initials, surname
    Order of names
    Regiment, battalion, manner of death, rank. Each category listed alphabetically by surname
    Maker(s)
    • Nathaniel Hitch, Architect

    • William Douglas Caroe FSA, Designer

    • Eric Gill ARA, Letter cutter / Engraver

    • Mr. F. H. Nicholls, of Lewarmick, Launceston, Cornwall (Erected by), Builder

  • Mr. George Browning, of St. George's Place, Canterbury - foundations and builder's work, Builder

  • Sponsor Type
    public
    Maintenance History
    1999- 2001: MEMORIAL RESTORED AT A COST OF £80,000. BAYONET ADDED TO SOLDIER'S RIFLE SEE NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS -- CULPRIT OWNED UP TO THE THEFT IN A FOLLOW UP ARTICLE 1950: Bayonet stolen

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    24 May 1904

    Field Marshall The Right Honourable Earl Roberts VC KG KP GCB OM GCSI GCIE

    Dedicated

    24 May 1904

    Bishop of Dover

    Rededicated

    24 May 1999

    Custodian
    Canterbury City Council

    Components

    Obelisk

    Made from: Stone


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II

    List Entry: 1001360

    Heritage Category: Park and Garden.

    Figure

    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II

    List Entry: 1001360

    Heritage Category: Park and Garden.

    Report a Concern

    War Memorials Trust Reference Number
    107532

    To report a concern about the condition of this memorial, visit War Memorial Trust.

    Help update these details if the condition is wrongWar Memorials Register Logo
    • Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald - Saturday 04 June 1904 -SOUTH AFRICAN WAR MEMORIAL AT CANTERBURY.-UNVEILING BY EARL ROBERTS.-IMPOSING CEREMONY.-PROCEEDINGS MARRED BY RAIN.-(Engraving of memorial and photograph of the figure) (Full list of names- incorrectly giving 220 names, the correct total is as given in the body of the report, evidenced by the attached images)
    • For Remembrance and in Honour of Those Who Lost Their Lives in the South African War 1899-1902 by Gildea, James 85 Published:Eyre and Spottiswoode 1911 London
    • War Memorials Trust WM2524 http://www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=337
    • Kent Messenger 8 / 13 April 2001
    • Our Blog http://ukniwm.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/malaria-and-conflict/
    • Canterbury Times 19 April 2001
    • Buildings of England series by Various North East and East Kent (1983) p.247
    • Carter Postcard Collection