Lee Enfield Rifle, South African War

The Lee Enfield Rifle was the longest-lived bolt-action weapon in use by Canadian Army, between 1896 and 2018. It used as various models and marks in major conflicts of the 20th century and for training up to 2018. The rifle shown here is an earlier .303 calibre, but mostly a unique example for a soldier’s life while in the theatre of operations. It was used by Lance-Corporal Peter Twedell while serving with “E” Company, 2nd Special Service Battalion during the South-African war (1898-1900). He carved the wooden components of his weapon with the name of battle places he was in. Also, Twedell left important testimonies of his experiences in the Boer War by writing an extensive diary of the trip from Québec City, QC, to Cape Town in South Africa, the life at the front and the trip back to Halifax, NS, passing through England, where the troops were greeted by Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle.