by Allan Gordon | Mar 30, 2020 | Anniversaries, South African War 1899 - 1902
On 30 March 1901 a Boer Commando was surprised by Colonel Campbell’s column at De Kraalen’s Drift which crossed the Assegaai river, south-east of Piet Retief. Twenty prisoners were taken, together with seven wagons and a large number of cattle.
by Allan Gordon | Mar 29, 2020 | Anglo Zulu War, Battles
The site of the battle of Kambula is about 10 km north of the present day town of Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal and took place on 29 March 1879 ( the day after the battle of Hlobane). Colonel Wood had about 2 000 men under his command, manning a laager, kraal and redoubt,...
by Allan Gordon | Mar 28, 2020 | Deaths, South African War 1899 - 1902
Colonel Henry Rawlinson saw service in the South African War, being very involved in the guerrilla phase. He was at the last battle of the war – Rooiwal. He saw service in World War 1 and was promoted to the rank of General. He died on 28 March...
by Allan Gordon | Mar 28, 2020 | Anglo Zulu War, Battles
In March 1879 two of the three British columns engaged in the Anglo-Zulu War had received set-backs. One had been defeated at Isandlwana and the other was under siege at Eshowe. The Battle of Hlobane, near the present day town of Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal, South...
by Allan Gordon | Mar 26, 2020 | Deaths, South African War 1899 - 1902
Cecil John Rhodes died on 26 March 1902 in Muizenberg, just outside Cape Town, South Africa. He was a sickly child and was sent to South Africa in his late teens in the hope that the climate would improve his health. When diamonds were discovered in Kimberley he was...
by Allan Gordon | Mar 25, 2020 | Deaths, South African War 1899 - 1902
On 25 March 1903 Major-General Hector MacDonald died, taking his own life. He fought in the First Boer War and was present at the Battle of Majuba. He arrived in South Africa soon after the British disaster at Magersfontein – South African War 1899-1902. At...
by Allan Gordon | Mar 24, 2020 | Events, South African War 1899 - 1902
On 24 March 1901 de la Rey’s Commando was engaged by General Babbington’s column at Wildfontein, a farm 20 km East of Coligny. De la Rey was forced to abandon his laager, a huge loss that included two ’15 pounders’, one of which was captured at Colenso and...
by Allan Gordon | Mar 23, 2020 | Events, First Anglo Boer War
On 23 March 1881 the Peace Treaty ending the First Anglo-Boer was signed at O’Neill’s Cottage, after three weeks of negotiations between the Boer Leaders and the British. The cottage was the home of Eugene O’Neill.
by Allan Gordon | Mar 22, 2020 | Anniversaries, South African War 1899 - 1902
George de Villebois-Mareuil was born on 22 March 1847 in France. He had a distinguished military career in France, being decorated for bravery in 1871. On his own request he was placed on military reserve in France aged 47. He joined up with the Boers in 1899 and saw...
by Allan Gordon | Mar 18, 2020 | Anniversaries, South African War 1899 - 1902
Lieutenant-Colonel Gough died on 18 March 1963. He was a young Lieutenant when ordered to the Natal front in 1899, having not completed the Staff College course. He served under Colonel Dundonald in the Relief of Ladysmith. During the guerrilla phase of the war he...
