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Sam Steele
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== Boer War and second military career == Always a soldier, in early 1900, Steele leapt at the offer of [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] tycoon [[Donald Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal|Donald Smith, Baron Strathcona]], to be the first commanding officer of Smith's privately-raised cavalry unit, [[Strathcona's Horse]] (predecessor of the modern armoured unit, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)), with the appointment as [[Lieutenant-colonel (Canada)|lieutenant-colonel]] from 7 March 1900.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27171 |page=1524 |date=6 March 1900}}</ref> This Canadian [[light cavalry]] unit, in British Imperial service, was sent to South Africa during the [[Second Boer War]], where Steele commanded them with distinction in the role of reconnaissance scouts. Steele, however, apparently disliked greatly{{Citation needed|date=October 2017|reason=Disliked what he was asked to do but served with distinction and returned the following year. Sources for his personal feeling about the Boer War please.}} what he was ordered to do by the British, which included burning towns, farms and homesteads, killing livestock of the Boer families and moving the populace to [[concentration camp]]s. After the war, the regiment arrived in London in February 1901. Here they met Lord Strathcona for the first time and were presented with medals by King [[Edward VII]] during a visit to Buckingham Palace. Steele was also appointed a [[Royal Victorian Order|Member of the Royal Victorian Order (fourth class)]] (MVO), a personal gift from the King.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=27292 |date=8 March 1901 |page=1648}}</ref> On its return to Canada the regiment was disbanded, and the officers received honorary promotions. Steele was promoted to honorary lieutenant colonel in March 1901.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=27357 |date=20 September 1901 |page=6173}}</ref> After taking the unit back to Canada early in 1901, Steele returned to South Africa that same year to command 'B' Division of the [[South African Constabulary]], a position he held until 1906. On his return to Canada in 1907, Steele assumed command of Military Division No. 13 in Alberta and the [[District of Mackenzie]], and then in 1910 assumed command of Division No. 10 at Winnipeg, where he spent his time regrouping Lord Strathcona's Horse and in preparing his memoirs.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Steele requested active military duty upon the outbreak of the [[World War I|First World War]] in August 1914. He was initially rejected for command on the grounds of age. However, a compromise was reached which allowed him to act as commander of the [[2nd Canadian Division]] until the formation was sent to France, whereupon he would be replaced. After accompanying the division to England, Steele was offered an administrative post as commanding officer of the South-East District.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Matters were complicated, however, when Canadian Minister of Defence [[Sam Hughes]] insisted that Steele also be made commander of all Canadian troops in Europe, a slight problem, as there were two brigadier-generals who each believed the Canadian command was his. The issue was not resolved until 1916, when the new Minister of Overseas Military Forces of Canada, Sir [[G. H. Perley]], removed Steele from his Canadian command after Steele refused to return to Canada as a recruiter. He kept his British command until his retirement on 15 July 1918. While in Britain, Steele was knighted, on 1 January 1918, and was made a Companion of the [[Order of the Bath|Most Honourable Order of the Bath]], and Knight Commander of the [[Order of St Michael and St George|Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
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