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1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

Anglo Boer War: Bethulie and the Bridges

This chapter examines the strategic importance of Bethulie and its railway and road bridges during the Anglo-Boer War. It recounts the destruction of the railway bridge by Boer forces, the dramatic efforts of British troops to save the wagon bridge, and the crucial role of the Imperial Military Railways in maintaining military supply lines. The narrative highlights the actions of Major Nolan-Neylan, Captain P. G. Grant, and Lieutenant R. S. Popham, whose interventions preserved a key crossing over the Orange River.

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

Anglo Boer War: The battle at Poplar grove

1900: Anglo Boer War: The battle at Poplar Grove

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

The Battle of Paardeberg

Anglo Boer War: Cronjé’s encircled Boer force collapsed after ten days of siege at Paardeberg, marking a decisive turning point in the war.

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

The ZARPS and Bergendal

The ZARPs, turned mounted infantry, held the exposed koppie at Bergendal with exceptional discipline under hours of British shelling. Their stand, praised even by Arthur Conan Doyle, broke Botha’s line and marked the end of conventional warfare in the Anglo Boer War.

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

Horses in the Anglo Boer War

The Anglo Boer War placed unprecedented demands on horses and mules, drawing animals from across the world into a conflict for which many were unprepared. Long sea voyages, unfamiliar fodder, extreme climate, disease, overloading and poor management resulted in catastrophic losses—around 60% of all horses died, compared with only 3% of human combatants. The Boers benefited from hardy local Cape horses accustomed to the harsh South African environment, while imported British horses often survived only a few weeks after arrival. Between 1899 and 1902, more than 109,878 horses and 81,524 mules were shipped from New Orleans alone, with many dying en route. Diseases such as mange, strangles, influenza, pneumonia and tick bite fever ravaged the imported stock. Individual horses became legendary: Freddy of the Household Cavalry, who survived 1,780 miles of campaigning; Fleur, De Wet’s conspicuous white Arab; Bokkie, De la Rey’s beloved mount; and Major, the only New Zealand horse to return home. Their stories highlight both the suffering and the extraordinary endurance of the animals that carried the war.

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

Cape District Mounted Troops in the Anglo Boer War

This article recounts the operations of the Bedford District Mounted Troops (DMT) in the Cape Colony during the Anglo-Boer War. Composed mainly of local farmers, these units supported British forces by observing Boer movements rather than engaging directly, fearing reprisals against their farms. The narrative follows General Pieter Kritzinger’s 1901 incursion through the Cape Midlands, detailing skirmishes near Buffelskloof and Cameron’s Glen, the deaths of Captain John Rennie and Trooper W.D. Ross, and the subsequent pursuit by Gorringe’s Flying Column. The account captures the tension between loyalty, survival, and local heritage in a turbulent frontier.

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

Anglo Boer War: The Battle of Vaal Krantz

The Battle of Vaal Krantz marked General Redvers Buller’s third failed attempt to break through Boer positions along the Tugela River and relieve Ladysmith. Confined terrain, heavy Boer resistance under Ben Viljoen, and the inability to deploy British artillery effectively forced Buller to abandon the operation after three days of fighting.

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

“Commando” - Deneys Reitz: Gamkaskloof

This article examines the discrepancies between Deneys Reitz’s famous war memoir Commando (1929) and his earlier, detailed handwritten journal Herinneringen van den Engelschen Oorlog 1899–1902. By comparing Reitz’s descriptions of events in the Klein Karoo and Gamkaskloof, the author highlights significant factual differences, omissions, and later embellishments. These inconsistencies raise questions about the absolute reliability of Commando, while still acknowledging its enduring literary and historical value. “Teen hierdie agtergrond mag dit aan heiligskennis grens om die waarheid van Reitz se vertellings… enigsins te betwyfel.” SOE – SHORT EXTRACT A comparison of Commando with Reitz’s original 1903 journal reveals notable contradictions in his accounts of Armoed and Gamkaskloof, suggesting later alterations for political, social, or personal reasons. “Die teenstrydige feitebewerings… blyk dan ook duidelik uit die opsommings hierbo gegee.”

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

ABW Agtertang & Slingerfontein

This chapter examines two linked engagements during the Colesberg campaign of early 1900: the skirmish at Agtertang Station on 3 January and the Battle of Slingerfontein on 9–10 January. British forces under Major General John French sought to secure railway lines and dominate the surrounding high ground, while Boer commandos under Generals Schoeman, Piet de Wet, and later Koos de la Rey attempted to halt their advance. The chapter highlights the role of mounted troops, particularly the newly arrived 1st New Zealand Contingent, whose reconnaissance, outpost duties, and defensive actions contributed significantly to British operations. Their stand on 15 January at what became known as New Zealand Hill—alongside the Yorkshire Regiment—proved decisive, repelling a determined Boer attack with minimal losses. The narrative also includes biographical notes on individual soldiers such as Trooper Alister Hugh Matheson and Private George Bradford, the first New Zealander to die in the Anglo-Boer War. Overall, the chapter situates these actions within the broader strategic contest for control of northern Cape Colony and the eventual British consolidation around Colesberg.

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

ABW Platrand 1900

This chapter examines the Battle of Platrand (Wagon Hill) on 6 January 1900, one of the decisive engagements during the Siege of Ladysmith in the Second Boer War. It outlines the strategic importance of the Platrand ridge, the coordinated Boer assaults under Generals Schalk Burger and C. J. de Villiers, and the British defence directed by Colonel Ian Hamilton. The narrative highlights the intense close quarter fighting at Wagon Hill and Caesar’s Camp, the temporary Boer breakthroughs, and the eventual British counter attack by the Devonshire Regiment in a violent storm. Special attention is given to acts of exceptional bravery, including those of Trooper Herman Albrecht and Lieutenant R. J. T. Digby Jones—both posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross—and Lieutenant J. E. I. Masterson. The chapter also records the humanitarian role of Rev. J. D. Kestell, the death of Lord Ava, and the remarkable civilian contribution of Parbhoo Singh during the siege. Through these accounts, the chapter provides a detailed and humanised portrayal of the battle, its leadership, its failures, and its enduring legacy in South African and British military history.

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

John William Reynolds

This document presents a biographical account of John William Reynolds, a 19th-century law enforcement officer and soldier from Grahamstown in the Cape Colony. Born in 1856, Reynolds served in the Divisional Police and later as a plain-clothes detective in the Urban Police. During the Anglo-Boer War, he enlisted in the Grahamstown Town Guard and was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal for his service. The narrative traces his personal life, including marriages, family, and career transitions, alongside the socio-political context of frontier life in the Eastern Cape. It also highlights his dedication to policing duties, health struggles, and the circumstances surrounding his death in 1907. The account provides insight into colonial policing, civic military service, and the personal challenges faced by individuals in that era.

1899 - 1902 Anglo Boer War

ABW: Mafeking

This article provides a concise historical overview of the Siege of Mafeking (October 1899 – May 1900), one of the most iconic episodes of the Second Boer War. The document highlights the leadership of Colonel Robert Baden‑Powell, whose innovative defensive tactics, including “dummy fortifications, fake minefields, and other tricks used to exaggerate British strength,” helped a vastly outnumbered garrison withstand a 217‑day Boer siege. The narrative incorporates the experiences of civilians, the Mafeking Cadet Corps, and notable figures such as Lady Sarah Wilson, Lt‑Col Gordon Chesney Wilson, and Sol Plaatje, whose diary remains a vital first‑hand account of the siege. Excerpts from Sergeant‑Major Edward ‘Teddie’ Jollie’s diary vividly illustrate the daily hardships, shelling, food shortages, and human cost of the prolonged bombardment: “We have all been on half rations since January, and thirsty and hungry we are.” The article also outlines the roles of Boer commanders General Piet Cronjé and General J.P. Snyman and explains how the relief of Mafeking became a major psychological victory for Britain, giving rise to the term “mafficking” for public celebration. The siege’s legacy endures through its cultural impact, its influence on Baden‑Powell’s later founding of the Scout movement, and its place in Anglo‑Boer War memory.