Croats in the Anglo-Boer War

Book excerpt: Croats in the Anglo-Boer War, South Africa 1899-1902. Fifty years of the existence of the Boer Republics of the Free State and the Transvaal (Second half of the 19th century), founded by the Boers - white settlers, was filled with whole series of historical events, among which the discoveries of diamonds 1867 and gold 1886 stand out prominently. Discovery of gold in 1886 in the area of present-day Johannesburg elevated Transvaal to the leading position in the world's gold production, surpassing the United States. Gold! Gold! Gold! with some secondary, "cosmetic" reasons, was the true cause of the war between the Boer Republics and the British Empire. The Croatian emigrant community also found itself in that time frame and events. After individual occasional arrivals first wave of emigration from Croatia began in 1880 and lasted until beginning of the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902. Hardship of the life in a new environment, hard work on the diamond and gold fields were not an obstacle that Croatian community in South Africa was successful. The participation of Croats in the Anglo-Boer War and its consequences for the Croatian community is unique story.