Key to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Boer War Memorial, 1907

Gold, made by Johnson Ltd.

The Boer War (1899-1902) demanded of Britain a military effort not seen since the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). The scale of mobilisation (over 300,000 troops served in South Africa at one time or another) ensured that the level of commemoration was similarly unprecedented.

Cities and towns erected monuments to their local men who died and some regiments had their own memorials. In Dublin a memorial arch to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers was built on St Stephen's Green; it was opened in 1907 by HRH Arthur, Duke of Connaught using this golden key.