#120 EARLY MILITARY EXPERIENCE

 

                                            ALFRED “ALF’ JOHN JOLLEY—PART 2

 

The largest group of Canadians who volunteered for the First World War were aged 18 to 22. When Alf Jolley enlisted in the 71^st Battalion on August 3, 1915, he was 38 years old, married, with two young children. He was not young by World War I standards. But he was made a sergeant-major in this combat unit and the reason for this can be explained by a small notation on Alfred’s attestation papers; this showed that he had military training with the 30^th Wellington Rifles (Guelph Regiment) and that he had fought with the Canadian Mounted Rifles in the Boer War. (These were clues easily overlooked at first glance.)

As sergeant-major, Alfred was the one of the highest NCO officers in the 71st Battalion. He oversaw all the sergeants in the unit, maintained unit discipline, parade and training standards, and advised the commanding officer on NCO and enlisted matters. (In France, Alfred would willingly revert to rank of sergeant.)

 

                                                                WELLINGTON RIFLES

Alfred served 12 years with the 30^th Guelph Regiment (Wellington Rifles), a part-time volunteer infantry. It drew its members from Guelph, Fergus, Elora, Harriston, Mount Forest and surrounding Wellington County townships. Between 1890-1910, the battalion had 10 companies spread across the county and an authorized strength of 420 men; this made the 30^th one of the key non-permanent infantry units in southwestern Ontario at the turn of the 20^th century. The battalion was composed mostly of local tradesmen, labourers, clerks and farmers. Pay was negligible, but service was seen as respectable community involvement.

                                                                    

 The Guelph Drill Hall was used by the Wellington Rifles for evening drills; the hall was also used for community events, showing the close integration of the militia into Guelph’s social fabric.

Drill halls were built in communities having a militia company. All drills had to be performed in the evenings after ordinary daily work was over so it was necessary to obtain a well-lit hall or barn. The difficulty funding a rural community was enormous. However, since drills were held only 3 times a week, the shed was available for other community use.

Men served part time with weekly or bi-weekly evening drills, annual summer training camps (often at Niagara, London or Guelph), and the occasional rifle competitions and ceremonial duties. A man would learn close-order drill, skirmishing, musketry and fieldcraft. Ontario's militia rifle battalions were heavily focused on musketry training, company-level field manoeuvres and rifle matches. Guelph shooters frequently performed well in regional matches, so it is most likely that Alfred was a reasonably skilled marksman.  He would have carried the .303 Lee-Enfield Rifle.

The Lee-Enfield Rifle: a bolt-action, magazine-fed repeating rifle that was the main firearm of the British Empire from 1895-1957.

 Serving in the 30^th would have given Alfred social prestige in the community, especially among other volunteers and local notables. The Wellington Rifles were deeply integrated into Guelph’s civic life—providing honour guards at public events, participating in parades, funerals and important visits, hosting dances, sporting events and military “conversaziones”, and perhaps providing volunteers for local emergency duties. When World War I began, the 30^th was undoubtably instrumental in recruiting and training new soldiers.

Due likely to commitment and competence, Alfred rose to the rank of sergeant.   He would have been one of the more experienced soldiers when he enlisted in the CEF in 1915 and why he was given responsibility early.  

 

 

 

                                   CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES & SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

 

                                                            Canadian Mounted Rifles

The Second Boer War (1899–1902) was fought between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics in southern Africa: the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. Tensions arose from British desires to consolidate control over the region, especially after the discovery of gold and diamonds, and the Boers’ resistance to British political and economic influence, particularly concerning the rights of foreign workers, or Uitlanders. Failed negotiations and growing distrust on both sides ultimately led the Boers to launch pre-emptive attacks on British colonies in October 1899, including sieges of three key towns.

 Initially, the Boers scored significant victories due to their mobility and knowledge of the terrain, but a large-scale British counteroffensive in 1900 relieved the besieged towns and captured key cities. The war then shifted to a guerrilla phase, with Boers conducting hit-and-run raids while the British implemented scorched-earth policies, burning farms and destroying crops to cut off Boer supplies. The British also established concentration camps for Boer civilians, particularly women and children, where poor conditions and disease led to the deaths of tens of thousands. These harsh policies and the suffering in the camps left a deep legacy of bitterness and shaped South African politics for decades.

                                                    Concentration camps, scorched earth

 Britain asked her colonies, including Canada, to send troops to this conflict. It was politically important for Britain to show that her colonies supported the empire in overseas conflicts and contributing to this war was a way for them to demonstrate loyalty. And Britain did need help since the Boer War was larger and more demanding than expected and she faced a determined guerilla campaign and needed more soldiers, especially mounted infantry, to patrol vast areas and engage the mobile Boer forces. Canadian volunteers could provide well-trained, disciplined troops to supplement the British regulars. Canadian units, particularly mounted rifles, were especially valued as they had experience in horseback riding, marksmanship and outdoor survival--skills crucial for fighting the highly mobile Boer commandos.

 Canada’s decision to send troops in 1899 was controversial and sparked significant debate. PM Wilfrid Laurier had to please English Canada who supported the British Empire and wanted to contribute troops while French Canada opposed getting involved in a distant colonial war. Laurier ultimately opted for compromise: the Canadian government would not officially commit to war but would allow the formation of a volunteer contingent raised by Canadians. Once in South Africa, they would be absorbed into the British army. Canada would pay for the volunteers’ arms, uniforms, ammunition, horses, transportation and basic kit, but once in South Africa, the British would pay the ongoing costs, including pay, rations and supplies.

                                                        Canadian Mounted Rifles

As a result, roughly 7,000 Canadians enlisted, primarily serving in mounted infantry units. This approach allowed Canada to support Britain and demonstrate imperial loyalty without imposing compulsory service and respecting domestic divisions over foreign military involvement. 

Although the 30^th  Guelph Battalion itself did not go overseas to fight in South Africa, many volunteers from the 30^th joined Canadian mounted or infantry contingents. Guelph newspapers of the time often mentioned farewell ceremonies for local volunteers.

 Alfred enlisted in the 2^nd Canadian Mounted Rifles at London, Ontario on December 23, 1901. He was 25 years old.  He claimed that he was a “fair rider” and a “good shot.” He was part of the 4^th Troop, 7^th Squadron. 

The men went to Halifax for a brief mid-winter training of drill and musketry. Two troopships, the Manhattan and the Victorian, left Halifax in January with a six-squadron regiment of 901 officers and men. Much of the sea-time, the troops were caring for the horses, drilling and shooting at floating targets. (The Morris tube exercise allowed for low-cost, short range target practice with smaller, cheaper ammunition.) On the Manhattan, there was a measles epidemic and 4 cases of smallpox, but both diseases were light and all recovered. Out of the 1,006 horses, only 31 died.

 On arrival in South Africa in late February, the troops travelled 200 miles (2 days) inland. The heat was intense and the traincar floors were of iron and very slippery and several horses, weakened by their long sea voyage, died. The 2^nd CMR then moved to the Transvaal where Boer commandos were still active. By this time, the nature of the war had shifted from large set-piece battles to highly mobile, guerilla-style operations; much of the countryside was controlled by blockhouses linked by barbed wire and fortified garrisons.

2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles

                                                                Capturing trophy gun

                                                    2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles

 The 2^nd CMR took part in several “drives” (large sweep operations) designed to flush out Boer fighters; at least 20% of the Boers were captured in these operations and the countryside was largely cleared of inhabitants who were held in concentration camps. One of the regiment’s most notable engagements was on March 31, 1902 at the Battle of Hart’s River (Boschbult). When a British column pursuing Boer forces became heavily engaged, the 2^nd CMR, initially tasked with guarding the baggage train, launched several mounted charges to relieve pressure on the main force. During one charge, 21 Canadians got cut off from the main body, but rather than surrender they fought on until their ammunition ran out. Casualties were severe—13 killed, over 40 wounded, several missing. Nonetheless, the 2^nd CMR captured a large number of Boers.

                                                                Battle of Hart's River

The War ended on May31, 1902 with the Treaty of Vereeniging; this recognized British sovereignty over the republics while promising financial aid and eventual self-government to the Boers.

 The 2^nd CMR was the last Canadian unit to see action in the war, since it had arrived relatively late in 1902. But despite their relatively short time (4 months) in South Africa, the CMR proved effective and disciplined; their performance in mobile warfare demonstrated how Canadian troops could adapt to irregular, fast-moving combat conditions, such as they were to face in the Great War.

 Alfred Jolley and the 2^nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles returned to Canada at the end of June aboard the Winifredian; while there was lots of deck room for all ranks, there were many complaints about the cooking arrangements, high-priced mess supplies and the coal dust all over the ship.

                                                    Alfred's receipt and thanks for his medal

It was in 1904 that Alfred applied for, and was granted, a Queen’s South Africa Medal plus 3 clasps.

Queen's South Africa Medal; awarded to military and civilians who served in South Africa from 1899-1902. Clasps indicated participation in particular actions and campaigns. Poor logistics and disease, combined with having to fight against a disciplined and capable enemy of excellent horsemen and marksmen who perfected guerrilla warfare, made this a hard-won medal. In addition to men often having to go without basics such as food and water, enteric fever killed several thousand and was a constant drain on manpower. The published casualty rolls run to over 50,000 names, while studies of contemporary publications and reports put the actual figure for all casualties, including caused by disease, at 97,000.

It was the four months fighting in South Africa and his 12 years in the Guelph militia that gave Albert the experience, confidence and leadership needed as a sergeant-major in the Great War.

 

 ALFRED JOHN JOLLEY                                                                                                                                 b. Oct. 26, 1877 in Denford, Northhampshire, England                                                                               m. Lillie Cook (1883-1958) on Nov. 16, 1904 in Guelph Township, Wellington Co., Ont                            d. Oct 22, 1916 in Courcelette, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France                                         husband of my 2nd cousin, 2x removed (Lemin line)