Canadian Scout of the Veldt after Wollen
First in a series of uniforms by W.B. Wollen.
Battle of Elandslaagt, 21st October
1899. During the Second Boer War, a
Boer Force led by General Koch, were attacked by a British force under
General French, consisting of three battalions of Infantry and 5 squadrons
of Cavalry. The British pushed back the Boers from their position on
the high ground looking over Ladysmith and the Dundee railway. The
Boer losses were 250 Killed and wounded and over 200 captured,
including General Kich.
Battle of Klip Drift, 15th February 1900.
A small cavalry action consisting of the 9th Lancers commanded by M.
Little and the 16th lancers commanded by Major S. Frewen. Both
commanded by Brigadier General J.R. Gordon. Who charged the Boer Position.
Battle of Colenso: From
that sleepy hollow among the hills of Natal where Sir George White made
his gallant stand we heard the booming of cannon and hoped that help had
come at last. Our deliverers, we knew, had to face fearful odds. Before
them stretched a billow sea of mountains with an unfordable river in front
and securely entrenched in these hills lay the Boer marksmen. In order to
engage the enemy General Buller's troops had to cross a long level plain
and to expose themselves to a deadly fire. Our guns poured a tempest of
lyddite upon the slopes beyond the river, but they remained as silent as
the tomb. With courage that needed no urging three brigades advanced - the
Irish on the left, the English on the right and between them Lyttelton's
brigade, with orders to act in support. As the dauntless Irish approached
the curve of Tugela they were met with a devastating fire of rifle and pom
pom. on they pressed with ever thinning ranks until the bank of the river
was in sight. But where was the ford? To cross at that point was
impossible and for hours the gallant Irish had to endure the storm of lead
which belched from the distant foothills. Nor was the English brigade more
fortunate. The Boers had evidently anticipated attack on the bridge and
had concentrated their heavy artillery and quick firing guns at this
point. Moving forward by short rushes some of the leading regiments
succeeded in reaching Colenso and established themselves in the railway
station. Their losses had been heavy and it is doubtful whether they could
ever have crossed the river. An incident changed the position to
hopelessness. Two field batteries and six naval guns had been ordered to
support the assault. With characteristic dash Colonel Long carried his
guns into range of the enemies' rifles and a terrible struggle raged
around them. From the security of their trenches the Boers kept up a
steady fire until man and horse were laid low under the hail of
lead. Every gun had its litter of dead, yet there were not wanting
brave men who refused to abandon the batteries. Colonel Long fell shot
through the arm and the liver, and soon there remained only a few
survivors who, being unable to work the guns, took refuge in a donga.
Seeing the effect of this disaster, General Buller gave the order to
retire, and the regiments withdrew in sullen silence. But the guns were
still at the mercy of the enemy. "Who will save the guns?" cried
the General. The response was immediate, and led by 3 aides-de-camp the
volunteers set out on their desperate enterprise. Their gallantry was
useless. None could live under that murderous fire; but Roberts, even in
death, won an undying name.
All That Was Left of Them by Caton Woodville
Illustrates the scene at Modderfontein Farm where a squadron of the
17th lancers were pinned down by a large Boer force, and fought to the
finish.
Royal Horse Artillery Crossing a River Under Fire by
George Scott
Bergendal by J P Beadle The Battle of Bergendel during the Boer War showing Rifle Brigade
(now part of the Royal Green Jackets) advancing on boer position.
Frederick Roberts Receives the Surrender of the Main Boer
Field Army Commander, Piet Cronje at Paardeburg on 27th February 1900. by
George Scott This led the way for the British to advance towards Bloemfontain and
onto Pretoria.
The Relief of Ladysmith by John Henry Frederick Bacon
Sir George White welcomes Major Hubert Gough with these words
Hello Hubert, how are you? Shortly afterwards, moved by the
ovation given him by his soldiers and townsfolk, he acknowledged their
support and ending with these words; Thank God we have kept the flag
flying.
The Prisoner by Scott Kirkwood Commissioned by 201
(Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Yeomanry)
Battery, Royal Artillery in 1997 to commemorate bicentenary. Boer prisoner
with early morning Yeomanry patrol, Transvaal, 1900.
Pinned Down (Highlanders Engage Boers) by FarquharsonRace for the Copje by G. D. Giles
Showing members of the 10th Hussars in South Africa, racing for the
high ground against some Boers.
Sons of the Blood by S Begg. Famous picture showing troops of various regiments from all parts of
the Empire at the time of the Boer War.
