Beginning in late 1899, reinforcements from across the British Empire began to arrive at South Africa, seeking to overwhelm the tactically proficient and well-trained Boer forces with enormous amounts of manpower. Thousands of men from Australia's colonies volunteered to participate in this armed conflict, both settlers and natives. Most of these constituted themselves in "Light Horse" units, acting as mounted infantry which could fight both on foot and on horseback, in arid climates, and even match or surpass Boer guerrilla tactics. These were all characteristics which made a good soldier in Oceanyka, and which made Oceanykan soldiers invaluable for British high command. However, while perhaps the most effective fighters at this type of warfare at the front, these troops were prone to switching sides upon learning of the Boers' predicament, sensing a certain empathy with their national struggle against British encroachment. Beginning in 1901 the disparate commands of Australia's seven colonies constituted themselves into the Australian Army, a predecessor to both the Federal Army and the later Oceanykan People's Army, thanks to the Federation of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Most of those who had remained loyal to the Australian Army were left with a nagging feeling of having fought for the wrong side. Veteran's leagues were an important contributor to the wave of nationalistic zeal which led to the Oceanykan War of Independence.