Battle Lines: Last Boer War Veteran

Old soldier George Ives was 111 years old when this sequence was filmed for the documentary series 'Instrument of War' the story of the Great Highland Bagpipe. As the last survivor of the Boer War, 1899-1902, he was truly a living link with history.

More of George Ives can be seen in the new film Battle Lines: 'reflections in kilt and khaki', the sequel to 'Instrument of War' and 'When the Pipers Play', directed by Patrick King. For more information about George Ives and how to get 'Battle Lines' DVD contact the producers - highlandclassics - website.

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Film & Animation

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• British
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[pipersplay]

When I interviewed George over three days he told me the reason he didn't serve during the First World War was because he was considred too old by the Canadian recrutiment officer. He was already 34 years old in 1914 and married with children. I beleive the medal on his right breast is not an official award but one given by the local Canadian Legion.

pipersplay

[IRVINEDRUM]

Some men did enter the Canadian service in WW1 older than 40yrs. A cousin born in 1872

joined up in 1914. He was married with a family. He became a Pipe Major of the 42nd

Black Watch and the PPCLI.

[pipersplay]

You are correct but they were probably volunteers. Also I believe farming was a reserved occupation and George had by that time (after helping to build the railway) becaome a farmer.

Regards

pipersplay

[pipersplay]

George Ives had already emmigrated to Canada by 1914 and was in fact too old for WWI. He was already 34 years old, married with children and therefore exempt from the Canadian forces.

Pipersplay

[pipersplay]

The interview was filmed in 1992 and partly shown on a documentary called Instrument of War 1997. A longer interview was included on the Battle Lines documentary, released 2007.

pipersplay

[fenianfay]

think of the changes this man must of seen in his life time!

[leejackson1853]

you gotta love history!! god bless you old timer

[rudikrause]

The commonwealth troops did have a bit of a hard time there, but many of them had no lack of courage - especially the scots and australians - more a case of useless officers really. I happen to have a great-grandfather who fought on the Boer-side. The boers started out with only 40000 and ended with only 18000 (and pretty much just farmers). With the over 380 000 com troops there the boers (my blood-relations) could have been squashed like a bug. However once again (as during WW1) a case of exc

[TheRockandroll420]

Its sad to be old

[PrincessJaneway]

Check out the chauffeur at 1:05 and 1:34 (The man in the awesome hat helping him get in the car) cause thats my dad, He was one of the greatest men ever to live and I miss him

R.I.P. Daddy

[rephaim23]

There were a lot of Canadian men who fought in the Boer War.

Alfred John Nye who was born in Brighton, England in 1878 enlisted in the second contingent of volunteers from Vancouver, BC in 1898 at the age of 20. He was awarded 2 medals, and was the first British Columbian returnee from the Boer War.

In 1901 he was granted 160 acres of forest land in Lynn Valley. (Incidentally on clearing this land he cut down a Douglas fir which he measured at 410 feet long and 14 ft 3 inches diameter!)

[Mrfairchap]

The (2nd) Boer War was one of the most farcical and pointless wars in history - and, as you can guess, that is a pretty crowded field. None of which reflects on this dear old chap - like many thousands of his comrades, he only saw himself as doing his duty. May mankind one day see an end to all wars, the greatest waste of all human talent and promise. Thanks for posting.

[NathanF11989]

I've recently watched the full interview with Mr. Ives on the Battle Lines DVD. He truly was a remarkable man. RIP George.

[chanctonbury63]

@TheXand19 Er what?

[chanctonbury63]

@TheXand19 Er what?

[TheXand19]

@chanctonbury63 You must be like a million :O

[drbogo321]

@steve5123456789 Not only did the Military continue to use line formations against machine gun positions in World War One(with horrendous results) the Japanese used those same tactics in World War Two. They were successful early in the war. However, the Battle of the Tenaru/Ilu/Alligator in the Solomons the Japanese "fighting sprit" was no match for United States Marines and John Moses Browning's machine guns. The used the same tactics until the end.