The Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal
The South African / Anglo Boer War
1899 - 1902

 

 

 

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Note: It is illegal to remove any artefacts from Battlefields without written authority from
the Provincial Heritage Authority, Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali
40
 Talana Battlefield and Museum - Dundee Tel: 034 212 2654
20 October 1899. First major Battle of the War between the British and the Boers. Boers occupied Talana Hill during the night and shelled British camp. British retaliated and drove Boers off hill only to find Boers occupied other Hills overlooking the town. Self Guided trail, Toilets, Restaurant, and Curio Shop. Entrance fee. Just outside town on Dundee, Vryheid Road. Open weekdays 8:00 to 16:30 Sat/Sun & Public Holidays 10:00 to 16:30
41
 Elandslaagte Battlefield - Glencoe/Ladysmith Tel: 034 212 2654
21 October 1899. Boers occupied high ground overlooking railway line. British executed a classic conventional attack that resulted in a staggering defeat for Gen. Jan Kock's Boer force. On the R602 near junction with N11 between Ladysmith and Newcastle.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.  
42
 Ladysmith Siege Museum & Wagon Hill Battle site - Ladysmith Tel: 036 637 2992
2 November 1899. to 28 February 1900 (118 days). Sites in and around town include various gun positions and redoubts. Historical walkabout town from the Siege Museum. Museum open daily.
Battle of Wagon Hill and Caesar's Camp (“Platrand”), 6 January 1900 (site of the famous "Devons' Charge"). Other sites include Burgher Monument on Platrand and Wagon Hill Cemetery.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.  
43
 Armoured Train Incident - Colenso / Estcourt Area Tel: 036 352 6253
Winston Churchill captured by Boer Forces near site after armoured reconnaissance train was derailed by Boers. Plaque is next to the road and cemetery is across the railway line. Turn off R103 at old Estcourt road close to N3.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site
44
 Battle of Willow Grange - Estcourt Area Tel: 036 352 3000
23 November 1899. Most southern point that a pitched battle was fought between the British and the Boers. Despite Boer advantage, they decided to withdraw back to the Thukela line. Cmdt. Gen. Piet Joubert injured and invalided to Pretoria. South of Estcourt along District Road off R103. Arrange visit at Fort Durnford Museum.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.
45
 Clouston Koppie of Remembrance & Battle of Colenso - Colenso Tel: 036 637 2992.
15 December1899. Gen Sir Redvers Buller's first attempt to cross the Thukela River and relieve Ladysmith met with disaster at the Battle of Colenso. Memorials and graves moved to this site, which was Gen. Buller's headquarters during the battle. Several brigade hospitals were also situated here. This is site of first moving pictures taken of a battle. Alongside the R103 at Colenso. Open Daily.
46
 Gun Positions - Colenso Tel: 036 637 2992
Ten of twelve British Guns used during the Battle of Colenso lost to Boers under leadership of Gen. Louis Botha. Lt. Freddy Roberts, son of Field Marshal Lord Roberts, mortally wounded here. Markers indicate gun positions, sites of original monuments and position where Freddy fell. Turn in to Colenso town at south end and cross bridge over railway. Position is on east side of road. Follow the signs.
47
 Ambleside Military Cemetery - Colenso Tel: 036 637 2992
Burial site of soldiers of 5th Irish Brigade, killed in Battle of Colenso. Take Weenen / Colenso road from R103 (approaching from Estcourt) and turn left to Winterton. Follow signs. Open Daily.
48
 Battle of iNthabamnyama – Bergville area contact 082 464 2543
Battlefield is on private land and you must contact owner who will take you to site.
49
 Rangeworthy Military Cemetery - Bergville / Ladysmith areas
Situated below iNtabamnyama Battlefield.    
50
 Spioenkop / Spion Kop Battlefield - Ladysmith / Winterton Tel: 036 637 2992
23 / 24 January 1900. Most futile and bloodiest of five battles fought in effort to relieve Ladysmith. Self guided trial with brochure available at entrance. On R616 between Ladysmith and Bergville. Entrance fee payable. Open Daily except Christmas Day and Good Friday
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.
51
 Spearman's Military Cemetery - On R600 between Ladysmith and Winterton Tel: 036 637 2992. On site of British Field Hospital .Private property, obtain permission to visit site.
52
 Chieveley Military Cemetery - Colenso Area Tel: 036 637 2992
Site of No 4 Stationary Hospital. Burial place of Field Marshal Lord Roberts’s son Lt. Freddie Roberts. Turn off R103 between Colenso and Estcourt and follow dirt road past railway station to cemetery. Open Daily.     
53
 Vaalkrans Battlefield - Ladysmith / Winterton Tel 036 637 2992
5-7 February 1900. Fourth unsuccessful attempt by Gen. Buller to relieve Ladysmith. Site is not easy to access and visits should be arranged through Siege Museum in Ladysmith.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.    
54
 Battle of Thukela Heights - Colenso / Ladysmith Area Tel: 036 637 2992
12-28 February 1900. General Buller lead his troops through numerous battles on the south bank of the Thukela River, Cingolo Hill, Monte Cristo, Green Hill, Hlangwane - followed by operations on the north bank - Colenso Koppies, Wynne's Hills, Inniskilling (Hart's) Hill, Railway Hill, and Pieters Ridge before relieving Ladysmith. Turn off on road between Colenso / Ladysmith towards Ezakheni / Newcastle. There are numerous military cemeteries in the area, especially below Hart’s Hill and Pieters Ridge. Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.    
55
 Helpmekaar Battlesite - Helpmekaar Tel: 034 212 2654
13 May 1900. British forces broke through Boer line in Biggarsberg. Resulted in British recapturing Dundee. Remains of Boer fort on top of hill and British Military Cemetery. (From Anglo-Zulu War) behind police station. Open Daily.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.
56
 Botha's Pass Battlefield - Newcastle area Tel: 034 315 3318
8 June 1900. Pass captured from Boers by British during Gen Buller’s advance from Natal into the Orange Free State & ZAR. Some Boer trenches still visible but very difficult to access. Site can be viewed from side of the R34 from Newcastle to Memel.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site     
57
 Alleman’s Nek Battlefield- 10 June 1900. Volksrust Area Tel: 034 315 3318
British forces broke through Boer forces into the Transvaal. Take the Vrede road out of Volksrust and it will pass through Alleman’s Nek. Take road to Memel on left and you will find Boer Monument.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site. 
58
 Scheepersnek Battlefield - Vryheid Area Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271
20 May 1900. 75 Swaziland Police and Vryheid burghers stationed here. During church service a Squadron of British cavalry arrived unexpectedly. After short fight British withdrew. 10km outside Vryheid on R33 to Dundee. Private farm. Site visible from road.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site
59
 Lancaster Hill - Vryheid Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271
11-12 December 1900. Fortifications, gun emplacements and monument to Lt. Col. Gawne who was killed during the Boer attack on the 11-12 December 1900. Self guided trail with brochure. Part of Vryheid Nature Reserve. Entrance fee payable. Open Daily 7:00 to 18:00
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.    
60
 Capt.Pokrowski Memorial and Wall of Remembrance - Utrecht Tel: 034 331 3613
25 December 1900. Memorial to Polish officer in the Russian army, died fighting in a skirmish near Utrecht. Across the road in the grounds of the Ou Pastorie and Museum there is a wall with the names of all foreign nationals who died fighting for the Boer cause.
61
 Blood River Poort Battlefield - Vryheid / Utrecht Area Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271 or 034 315 3318
17 September 1901. Battle fought during Gen Louis Botha's second invasion of Natal. British Squadron attacked scouting party of Boers only to be attacked themselves by main body of Boers. 16 British Officers, 273 men and 3 guns killed or captured in 10mins. Turn off R34 from Utrecht to Vryheid on to D251(sign posted) after 8Kms sign post and turn left at farm drive along farm road to graves, which are situated on extreme right of road.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.    
62
 Mount Ithala Battlefield- Babanango Area Tel: 035 870 0552
25-26 September 1901Attacking Boer Force beaten Off by determined British counter attack during Gen. Louis Botha's second invasion of Natal.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.   
63
 Fort Prospect - Babanango Area
26 September 1901. Outpost manned by 80 British Soldiers, attacked by 400 Boers. Boers eventually forced to withdraw.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site. .
64
 Holkrans Battlefield - Vryheid Area Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271
6 May 1902. 56 Burghers killed in surprise attack by Zulu Impi. Between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg.
Use of guide recommended to enhance experience of site.
65
 British Soldiers Memorial - Volksrust Tel 034 315 3318
Cross shaped Memorial in honour of British Soldiers who died during battles around Volksrust. In park on the north side of town on the west side of the N11.
66
 Concentration Camp Memorial and Monument to Boer casualties in Transvaal War of Independence - Volksrust in town square next municipal buildings. A Memorial Statue and wall of Remembrance for the Boer women and children that died in the Volksrust Camp.
67
 Birthplace of General Louis Botha - Greytown. Tel: 034 331 3613
Born 1862. Eight of 13 children. Acting Commandant-General of the ZAR forces. Distinguished himself at Colenso and Spioenkop. Became first Prime Minister of the Union of Sout Africa in 1910.