2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, Paardeberg Drift, 27 February 1900. At Paardeberg on 27 February 1900, the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry helped win the first significant British victory of the 2nd South African War (1899-1902). Although the Canadian success owed as much to good luck and stubbornness as training or skill, the victory provided a boost to the morale and confidence of the troops. This painting, 'Dawn of Majuba', by famous British military painter R. Caton Woodville, portrays the moment when news of the enemy surrender reaches the Canadians. The Boer defeat took place on the 19th anniversary of a British disaster at Majuba Hill during the 1st South African War (1880-1881)
