A large-scale offensive was commenced by the British in the Boer War into the Orange Free State.
Farrier Sergeant Major.William Hardham became the first New Zealand-born recipient of the Victoria Cross.
On 28 January 1901, near Naauwpoort, this Non-Commissioned Officer was with a section which was extended and hotly engaged with a party of about 20 Boers. Just before the force commenced to retire Trooper McCrae was wounded and his horse killed. Farrier- Major Hardham at once went under a heavy fire to his assistance, dismounted and placed him on his own horse, and ran alongside until he had guided him to a place of safety.
The London Gazette, No. 27362, 4 October 1901.
Hardham went on to be commissioned in 1902, and returned to his civilian occupation as a blacksmith after the war, while also serving in the militia. He fought again in World War One, rising to the rank of Captain. He was fairly severely wounded during the war, which kept him from becoming a full time officer after the war. He died in 1928 at age 51 of stomach cancer.
The American League was organized.
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