Anglo Boer War
Ambleside Military Cemetary is just to the south of Colenso in a loop of the Tugela River. The Cemetary marks the spot of the ambush on 15 December 1899 of the British forces commandered by General Buller and has monuments to the 5th Irish Brigade which included the Royal Dublin Fusiliers,Connaught Rangers and S.A.L.H
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The Battle of Colenso (15 December 1899) - The Royal Horse Artillary lost 10 Guns under the Command of Colonel C.J.Long .The site is close to the Eskom cooling towers. Six V.C.'s were awarded to Soldiers attempting to save the guns.
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Chievely Military Hospital (now Cemetary) was the site where the wounded from the Battle of Colenso (15 Dec. 1899) and Battles of Tugela Heights ( 14 to 27 February 1900) were brought, many of whom subsequently died. The cemetary has the grave of the son of Field Marshall (Bob) Roberts, Lt Frederich Hugh Sherston Roberts V.C. Patients were attended to by members of the Royal Army Medical Corps.
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Colenso\'s Cloustan Military Cenetary was the site that General Redvers Buller V.C. used to launch his failed attacks across the Tugela on 15 December 1899.The Garden of Rememberance has many monuments and graves comemorating those killed in these battles. S 28.46.749 E 29.48.608
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Churchill capture site (15 Nov. 1899) - Chuchill of the Morning Post was captured at this site after setting out on the train with soldiers of the Dublin Fusiliers & Durban Light Infantry and sailors from H.M.S Tartar - S 28.52.410 E 29.46.10 The album has images of the graves of some of the members killed here and that of an unknown British soldier.
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The Battle of Tugela Heights between 12 & 28 February 1900 resulted in the lifting of the 118 day siege of Ladysmith. The defensive line held by the Boers was commandered by General\'s Lucas Meyer and Louis Botha. Forces under the command of General R Buller(VC), crossed the Tugela on 21 February and after a series of bloody battles and engagements eventually overcame the outnumbered Boers. Battles were waged at Wynnes Hill,Grobbelaars Koppies,Harts Hill,Railway Hill and finally Pieters Hill.There are many monuments & graves , looked after by AMAFA and CWGC to mark the sites in this rugged terrain.
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The battle of Hart's Hill (Inniskilling Hill/Terrace) was part of the attempt to relieve Ladysmith and this battle commenced at mid day on 23 February 1900. The Brigade had crossed the Tugela at Pom Pom bridge and immediately came under fire from the Boers, until they reached cover in a basin known as Harts hollow. The attacks by the Connaught Rangers on the right alongside the Imperial Light Infantry and Inniskillings in the centre, started very late around 5pm. The Inniskillings were first at the base of the hill and raced up forcing the Boers to retreat to their main positions further back and overlooking open ground.The Inniskillings found themselves pinned down and taking heavy casualties, which included commander,Lt-Col TMG Thackeray, and Dublin Fusiliers Lt-Col CGH Sitwell. British casualties had reached 450. The British held their positions overnight and were reinforced. At this point General Buller decided to attack further to the right in order to take railway Hill and Pieters Hill. This eventually succeeded and the way to Ladysmith was clear.
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This Cemetery has the Graves of soldiers who died in February 1900 at Onderbroek & Langverwag Spruits, Harts Hill & Wynne\'s Hill. There is also a memorial to Lt Col. C.C.H Thorold (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) who died of his wounds after the battle and is buried at Cloustan Cemetery.
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Colenso , on the banks of the Tugela river was the scene of many battles in the Boer War including the Battle of Colenso (15 December 1899) and the battle of Tugela Heights (12 to 28 Feb 1900).It was also a thriving town before Eskom closed the power stations.The cooling towers still remain..There are many battle sites & cemetaries very close to Colenso as well as the Bloukrans massacre site dating back to 1838.
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Adelaide Farm was the site where some Cavalry and Mounted Infantry on 20 October 1899, under the command of Lt Col. B.D. Moller were pinned down by shellfire directed from Mpati Mountain. (Lt Col. S Trichard). They took shelter in the stables but eventually the whole force was captured with the loss of two men killed. The stables thenselves were struck by shellfire.
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This site has images of the Talana Museum, Smiths Cottage, Ndumeni Wenkommando Pass, the site where Lt. Gen. W Penn Symons was wounded and his burial place at the Anglican Church of St James. The site also covers the Dundee Military Cemetary and the Weslyan Ebenezer Church and military graves. The Dundee CBD Gallery also features more images of the period.
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Thornley Farm which lies to the north of Talana Hill and battle which took place on the hill belonged to the Smith family, the original settlers in the area. The farm was used as a HQ during the battle on 20 October 1899 and also as a temporary mortuary for wounded. The album features the farmhouses, outbuildings, stables and the graves of Peter and Isabella Smith.
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Elandslaaghte was the site of a successful British attack on the Boers on 21 October 1899, who were advancing on Ladysmith after the battle of Talana.The British controversially let loose Lancers on the fleeing Boers, one of the last occaisions this method of attack was used.The British,however, faced with a large Boer force retreated on Ladysmith which was then beseiged.This Gallery has images of the monuments , cemetary and views of the surrounding battle zone. It also features images of the Elandslaaghte Naval Cemetary where those who died in field hospitals at Sundays River, Wesselsnek and Waschbank, were brought for burial.
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Gelykwater, near Babanango was used by Louis Botha as a base for his attack on the British forces based at Mt Itala and Fort Prospect on 26 September 1901. His attack was eventually repelled and the old farm house was used as a temporary hospital. The graves of several Boers who died in the attacks were buried in the farm cemetery. Although the graves are marked the bodies were reinterred at Wagon Hill.
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Dick King (1811 - 1871)was responsible for the relief of Durban in 1842, Durban at the time under siege by the Boers. He left Durban with his servant Ndongeni and arrived in Grahamstown in May 1842 after a 600 mile and 10 day trip, to summon reinforcements for Captain Smith at the Durban Fort. Dick King\'s grave is in Isipingo along with members of his family.King was working on one of the sugar mills in the area. A monument commemorating his ride was erected in 1915 on the Victoria Embankment.
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Intombi Military Cemetery lies to the east of Ladysmith. The Cemetery was established as a neutral hospital camp for those wounded or sick during the siege. Many of the deceased died from disease such as enteric fever or from wounds sustained leading up to the siege. Many members of the R.A.M.C also died on duty. The cemetery has been consolidated and all the metal grave markers removed and the names of those personnel inscribed on a central monument. All the headstones have also been moved within a secure perimeter.. There are 659 individuals buried here including 15 civilians (Ref: Steve Watt - The Siege of Ladysmith - 30Deg. South). Also outside the fence is the lone grave of Private J.B. Cohen (Jewish), who according to custom has been buried separately. The cemetery was first used in November 1899 and was used into 1900 after the siege.
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The Ladysmith Garden of Rememberance contains the graves of many of the soldiers who fought in and around Ladysmith in 1899 & 1900.Included are the graves of two V.C. Holders Lt Col W.H.Dick-Cunynham and Lt Robert J.T.Digby-Jones. Also included are graves of South African serviceman who died in WWII.
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The battle of Rietfontein took place on 24 October 1899 between six commandos of the Free State Army under A.P. Cronje and a Flying Column from Ladysmith commanded by Sir George White. The battle ended in a strategic defeat for the British and withdrawal into Ladysmith. This album has images of the Boer Graves on Rietfontein Farm, the Farmhouse later used as a military hospital, memorabilia in the house museum and graves of some of the British combatants. The gallery also has images of the old Voortrekker cottage and farm outbuildings used at the time.
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The Farghuars farm to the north east of Ladysmith was used as the HQ for the Transvaal Commandos during the siege of Ladysmith. Also in this gallery is the Mbulwana station alongside the Klip River which was close to the Intombi Dam. The Boers attempted to dam the Klip River and in this way flood the town of Ladysmith. The British shelled the site and in this way prevented the dams completion. This gallery shows the farm house and graves of Anna & Johannes De Waal who died just prior to the Boer War.
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Ladysmith Siege Museum is in the CBD of Ladysmith in the old Town Hall. The siege which took place between 2 November and 28 February trapped 13745 troops and about 7600 civilians. This exhibition has displays that well tell the story of the siege, the privations, the antagonists and events that took place until the Natal Carbineers road into town after the numerous attempts to relieve the town eventually succeeded. This album has images of the exterior and a selection of images and displays that can be found in this exhibition.
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It was on the 30th October 1899 that Colonel Carleton's column set out for Nicholson's Nek in an attempt to relieve pressure on besieged Ladysmith. Whilst on the way Carleton realized that he needed to hold Tchrengula Hill on his flank and it was occupied by the Gloucestershire Regiment and Irish Fusiliers. During the accent at night there was a scare and the column lost much of its ammunition and artillery when the mules bolted. The next morning the British were retreating from Nicholson's Nek and Carleton found his column overlooked by the Boers and with limited ammunition. The position was attacked and the column forced to surrender (37 officers and 917 men). This album has photos of the Hyde's Farmhouse, graves of the Gloucestershire Regiment and Irish Fusiliers killed here, views over the surrounding area towards Nicholson's Nek , Ladysmith, Pepworth Hill and Surprise hill. Also included are images of the newer accommodation rooms on the farm and some of the owners documentation relating to the battle that took place here.
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This album forms part of a series of albums based upon the 1899 to 1900 siege of Ladysmith. Most of the images here relate to monuments as apposed to battle fields, some of which are obscure and overgrown. This album has images of the Town Hall, Boer Depression, Dragoon Guards Monument, Fly Kraal - Gordon Highlanders, Kings Regiment Monument, Leicestershire Monument, Naval Gun site, Riflemans Post and Inniskinng Regiment graves.
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Wagon Hill was a key defensive position for Ladysmith during the siege of 1899 and 1900. Many fierce attacks by the the Boers on the British positions were successfully defended at great cost to both sides. This Gallery features the graves,monuments and fortifications for those engaged in the battles. The hill also is a monument to the Burghers who fell in many of the KZN battles. Most of the Burghers remains were reinterred here from the scattered graves around the province.
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The Merewent Concentration camp memorial is on the site of the Anglo Boer War camp and consists of a monuments with the names of those who died. The monument is in an open space on the corner of Voortrekker & Dudley Streets. The Merebank Monument & Cemetery is just off Himalaya road and consists of monuments with names, a mosaic and structures representing tents. This camp endured 453 deaths of which 412 victims are buried here. Of the children who died , 358 were under 12 years of age.
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The battles of Mt Itala and Fort Prospect occurred after Louis Botha's second attempt of the invasion of Natal and after the skirmishes at Blood Rivers Port & Scheepersnek. At the foot of Itala was a force of about 300 men under command of Captain Chapman. When hearing of the presence of a large Boer force a detachment of 80 men were sent up to the summit of Itala on the evening of 26 September 1901.The Boers attacked at midnight and eventually overran the summit. The main camp at the base was then attacked, but the offensive failed and the Boers withdrew. A Victoria Cross was awarded to Driver HG Bradley for his part in assisting a wounded comrade.Lt H.R. Kane of 1st Lancashire Regiment who had seen action at Vaalkrans, Spionkop and Tugela Heights, died along with 23 other British soldiers. The Boers suffered 15 casualties and were buried at Gelykwater and later at Wagon Hill in Ladysmith.The British graves can be found at the summit, the lower spur and two sets of graves at the south and east of the base camp. A simultaneous attack on 26 September was carried out on the British camp at Fort Prospect manned by 85 men under Captain Rowley. The Boers under General JCC Emmett were beaten back after protracted fighting. There was only one British casualty of Private Duckworth who is buried at the Fort. This Gallery has images of the battle field,graves and entrenchments.
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The Battle of Majuba (First Anglo Boer War )took place on 27 February 1881.The battle took place on a hill known as Majuba which was summited by the British 58th, 92nd Regiments and Naval Brigade under the command of General Sir George Pomeroy Colley. Their positions were successfully assaulted by Comdt. Nicholaas Smit under orders from Gen. Piet Joubert. In the clash General Colley was killed along with 92 other men out of a force of 365. The Boer casualties were two killed. The victory by the 350 Boers resulted in a truce at O\'Neil\'s cottage at the base of Majuba and eventual peace at the Pretoria Convention. This gallery has photos of monuments at the entrance to the battle site, images of the British graves on the summit, O\'Neil\'s cottage & family graves and the landscape views over Laing\'s Nek pass, Natal, Free State and Mpumalanga. There is also an image of a monument on the Majuba Memel road, to policemen murdered by Stephanus Swart in 1927. In total he killed 9 persons in his murderous spree. There are also images of Muller\'s and Botha\'s Passes into Natal.
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Mount Prospect Military Cemetery contains the graves of soldiers killed on Laing's Nek and Majuba(27 Feb 1881). Included amongst the graves is that of Major General Sir George Pomeroy Colley who was commanding the forces and killed at Majuba. He was also Governor General of Natal.The graves are mainly those of the 60th Rifles and 92nd Regiment (Gordon Highlanders). There are also graves of those of the Naval Brigade who lost their lives on the day. They were from HMS Boadicea and Dido. The cemetery is on a private farm within view of both Inkwelo and Majuba.
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This cemetery contains the graves of members of the Natal Police killed in action against about 150 Boers on 28 April 1901. There were six Natal Police casualties and about eleven Boers killed. The action took place about 5 km from the town. Also buried in the cemetery is Magistrate Herbert M Stainbank who was shot by rebels in the Bambatha Rebellion on 3 March 1905. All these graves and the Monument can be seen in this Gallery.
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This Garden of Rememberance adjacent to the Bruntville Township is the resting place of 316 British soldiers, most of whom died in No 4 General Hospital located near the current Engen garage on the N3.The tented hospital was run by the R.A.M.C. and most of those buried died of disease, whilst others from wounds received in the many battles in and around Colenso..Other graves are in the nearby St John\'s cemetary and include that of Maj.Gen.Sir E . Woodgate who was mortally wounded at Spionkop.This site has named photos of all the graves and monuments in the cemetary.
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Mount Alice was the Head Quarters of General Redvers Buller over his attempt to cross the Tugela River and storm Spionkop, controlled by the Boers. The battle took place 23-24 January 1900 and resulted in another setback by Buller when his forces were forced to withdraw. Their next attempt, which also failed was at Vaalkrans between 5 February 1900 and 7 February 1900. This album has monuments commemorating the battles on the crest of Mount Alice which had a birds eye view over the Tugela, Spionkop and Vaalkrans. The sight has a diorama, monument to Buller and also overlooks Potgieter's Bridge over the Tugela.
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The Newcastle Cemetary contains the graves of combatants from both the Anglo Boer Wars. Most of the graves are of soldiers who died whilst at No 1 Stationery Hospital in Charlestown. All the individual images have the soldiers name and unit where it could be identified.
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The Churchyard in St Johns Baptist Church ,Pinetown contains graves of soldiers who died in the nearby Princess Christian Hospital that was opened on land donated by Alfred Mosely and opened on 25 May 1900, during the Anglo Boer War. The album has images of the graves and monuments in the cemetery and of the Fairydene Hotel in Sarnia , parts of which are the original Princess Christian Hospital (named after Queen Victoria\'s daughter). The Hospital had 100 beds and was the first building in Pinetown with electric power. The album has images of photos taken during the war and hanging on the walls of the Hotel. The property is now utilised as a retirement home.
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The Battle of Ingogo or Schuinshoogte took place on 8 February 1881 between a British force of about 270 men under the command of General Colley, and the Boers numbering about 350 under the command of General Nicholas Smit. After the defeat of the British at Laings Nek earlier on 28 January 1881, the Boers had been harassing the British preparations to invade the Traansvaal. The British had advanced up a sloping hill from the junction of the Ingogo and Harte Rivers and taken up positions at what was called Schuinshoogte when they were attacked by the Boers. The battle raged on all afternoon and the combatants only disengaged and withdrew from the battle field after a violent storm in the evening. This defeat was a prelude to the even bigger disaster at Majuba on 27 February 1881. This album has images of the Fort, Monuments, British graves and views over the battlefield. There are also graves of soldiers who died in the Anglo Boer War of 1899 - 1902 when this area was the scene of more conflict. The British lost 66 killed whilst the Boers lost only 8 members. There are also images of the landscape at Laings Nek towards Natal and Majuba.
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The Cemetary has the Military graves of Dundonalds Harts Irish & Hilyard\'s 2nd Brigade\'s attempt to outflank the Boers near Spionkop in January 1900 - S 28.39.02 E 29.28.05 Elev 1157m
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Spearmans No 4 Stationary Field Hospital was the Military Hospital to which the wounded from Spionkop and Vaal Krantz were brought and is a Military cemetary - S 28.43.22 E 29.32.32 Elev 1153m
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General Redvers Buller had billeted in G Spearman's Farmhouse opposite Spionkop Hill on the south bank of the Tugela River. About 2 kilometers to the east was a high point, called Mount Alice which overlooked Spionkop, the Tugela and Vaalkrans Hill. Spionkop and Vaalkrans were to become battles in February 1900 in an attempt to lift the siege on Ladysmith. Buller had based his naval guns on this site which also overlooked Potgieter's Drift, where an iron bridge was subsequently built. This site is now on farm, now called Woodlands Farm and upon which is Spionkop Lodge, Buller's former billet.
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This site has images of the Graves, mass graves, Regimental monuments and views from the crest of Spionkop where the epic battle took place in January 1900.Included also are monuments of the Vaalkrans Battle, Mt Alice, & the local Spionkop Lodge.
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Spionkop Lodge is situated on the farm, Woodlands, originally owned by George Spearman. The farm was commandeered by Gen. Redvers Buller and he was able to witness the Battle of Spionkop from the house and from a high point above the farm, known as Mount Alice. The Lodge, now owned by the Heron family, also overlooks the Spionkop Dam which has flooded many of the crossing points where troops crossed for the battle. Mount Alice was also Buller's viewpoint of the Battle of Vaalkrans further to the east which also ended in the failure to lift the siege of Ladysmith. The Lodge is now a peaceful spot and the original farmhouse is used for catered accommodation as well as cottages that can be booked for self catered stayovers. This album also features graves of the Spearman family and of the military who utilized a site behind Mount Alice as a military hospital.
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After the disasterous defeat at Spionkop on 24 January 1900, General Redvers Buller V.C. engaged in another attempt at the relief of Ladysmith by attacking Vaalkrans on 5 to 7 February 1900. This attempt was also also doomed to failure. Buller placed his artillery on Swartkops and also on Mt Alice, and three infantry brigades were tasked with capturing Vaalkrans. Ultimately the attack by the 1st Durham Light Infantry, Rifle Brigade, East Surrey's and Devonshires, failed with 34 men killed and 335 wounded on the British side. The Boers lost 38 men killed and 45 wounded. This set back resulted in Buller moving his forces back to Colenso. This album has images over the battle field, Mungers farm and the monuments to the British regiments that participated in this battle.
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This gallery covers some of the many battle sites in the Vryheid area and includes the battles of Lancaster Hill, Scheepers Nek, Blood Rivier Poort, and Blood River (1838).There are also images of a local mission and the ruins of a Boer Farm burnt by the British during the Anglo Boer War.
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