Don't join this web page, just join the Clans Forum   Background to the name Imperial Bushmen   The war between the British and the two Dutch South African republics - the Boer War - began on 11 October 1899 when the Boers declared war on the British. It lasted until 31 May 1902 when Lord Kitchener and General Botha signed the peace treaty - the Peace of Vereeniging - ending the war.   When the war broke out in 1899 Australia was still made up of six separate colonies and, despite the fact the Federation was imminent, each colony still retained local responsibility for land defences. With the outbreak of war civilians throughout the Australian colonies enthusiastically volunteered for service. This was actively supported by the governments of the day and various colonial contingents were formed. Each of the colonies sent between four and six contingents that served mostly in mounted units, often known as 'mounted rifles', 'bushmen' or 'imperial bushmen'.