As part of the Empire, Australian colonies offered troops to fight the local farmers, or Boers, in South Africa. It is believed that 20,000 Australians fought in the war.

Australians served mostly in mounted units, often known as "Mounted Rifles", "Bushmen" or "Imperial Bushmen". They fought in both the British counter-offensive of 1900 and in the long, weary guerrilla phases of the war lasting until 1902.

- Six hundred Australians died during the Boer War, about half from disease.

- Five Australians received the VC in South Africa and many others received other decorations.

In every conflict involving Australians there are stories of bravery and mates helping mates. But the unsung hero of the Boer War is the mate who served unquestioningly and without whom victory would have been impossible - the horse.

The Boers did not want Colonial rule and were prepared to fight hard and long for independence, and of course to protect their gold.

On 1st January 2000, in a remote part of South Africa, a sombre ceremony took place involving a few South Africans and a woman from Queensland.

Letters to and from home were vital, lifting the spirits of both the soldiers and their loved ones.

The Australian Boer War soldier, trooper or bushman was a different breed to those he fought alongside.

The Boer War was a conflict over mineral resources, imperial supremacy and a civil war among the white population of South Africa.

So why were we there?