At the turn of the 20th century, Canada sent soldiers to fight in a faraway land. The Boer War was sold to Canadians as a noble mission—for Empire, for Queen, for civilization itself. Streets were lined with Union Jacks. Sermons praised the cause. Young men enlisted believing they were writing themselves into history.

But behind the patriotic headlines were scorched earth campaigns, civilian deaths, and concentration camps—some of them guarded by Canadian troops.

And then… it was forgotten.

In this episode, we explore how the Boer War became Canada’s first foreign war, how it was glorified at home, and why it faded so completely from our collective memory. Along the way, we ask what this forgotten war can teach us about the stories we still tell ourselves about conflict, loyalty, and the cost of belief.