At the outbreak of the South African War (1899-1902) Stormberg was a railway junction 15 km North of Molteno in the Eastern Cape. A British Garrison was established there but late in November 1899 the Boers took occupation of the post.
On the night of 19 December, British General Gatacre left Molteno, with a considerable force attacked the Boers and drove them from the railway junction.
Reports have it that the advanced force ‘got lost’ and when dawn broke, the British were very close to a Boer camp. The ensuing battle resulted in 27 men being killed and almost 100 wounded.
After little more than an hour, Gatacre ordered a retreat. In his haste to ‘get away’ Gatacre left 650 of his Officers and men to be ambushed and taken prisoner by the Boers.
Soon after Stormberg, Gatacre was relieved of his command and returned to the UK.
