I have recently completed a short series covering the 1st Anglo-Boer War of 1880-81. It is a campaign often forgotten and overlooked by military historians. Perhaps part of the reason is that the British lost every battle - Bronkhorstspruit, Laing's Nek and Majuba amongst them.
ANZAC Day 2021 – a service on the Battlefield of Diamond Hill
This morning (April 25th, 2021) I was lucky enough to attend an intimate Anzac Day gathering. It was cold and dark as we gathered on the battlefield of Diamond Hill - fought on the 11th and 12th of June 1900.
Fort Pine – A hidden gem of the Anglo-Zulu War
Deep in the rural areas of KwaZulu-natal, about 20km from Dundee is the impressive, but almost unknown Anglo-Zulu War fortification known as Fort Pine. Its dry-stone walls are still impressive, at least 14 feet high they tower over the gentle farmland of the Biggarsberg ridge. https://youtu.be/0FpLS6CYmag Work began on the fort by the Royal Engineers … Continue reading Fort Pine – A hidden gem of the Anglo-Zulu War
In the footsteps of the Jameson Raid of 1895/96
In the latest Redcoat History Battlefield tour video, we walk in the footsteps of Leander Starr Jameson and his troops as they try and enter Johannesburg and overthrow the Afrikaner government. It's a fascinating tale - with a number of interesting and hard to find sites that are well worth a visit.
The Statue of General Sir Redvers Henry Buller, VC, GCB, GCMG in Exeter
Should the statue of Redvers Buller VC, be removed? What are his alleged crimes? Let's take a look beyond the headlines.
A walk along Spion Kop
In today's battlefield tour video, my father and I take a walk around Spionkop (Spioenkop), scene of the some of the heaviest fighting of the Anglo-Boer war. It's a fascinating battlefield, hardly changed since that short, sharp battle of January 1900. The battle was part of the disastrous campaign to relieve Ladysmith and push the … Continue reading A walk along Spion Kop
Battlefield tour: The battle for the Platrand (Caesar’s camp and Wagon Hill)
The siege of Ladysmith during the Anglo-Boer war is the stuff of legends. The Boers had surrounded General Sir George White and his troops since the start of November 1899 but had been generally inactive and unwilling to launch a frontal assault on the town. That changed on the 6th January 1900 when the biggest … Continue reading Battlefield tour: The battle for the Platrand (Caesar’s camp and Wagon Hill)
A short walk up Talana Hill: First battle of the Anglo-Boer war
The opening engagement of the Anglo-Boer war was fought in this small town in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. It was a small but important battle that showed the British army how dangerous it was to scorn their enemy. Join me for a walk up Talana hill as I get some exercise and move in … Continue reading A short walk up Talana Hill: First battle of the Anglo-Boer war
Redcoat History 