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Colenso Accommodation
Battlesites around Colenso
 The Battle of Colenso:
On 15 December 1899, General Buller's advanced on the lines of defense that
had been set up by General Louis Botha along the Thukela River. The purpose
of this offensive was to relieve the besieged town of Ladysmith. The British
forces advanced on three fronts. On the right flank towards Hlangwane Hill,
led by the Earl Douglas Hamilton, who was repulsed. On the left flank by
Major General Hart, who was ambushed in a blind loop 7km upstream from
Colenso with heavy causalities. In the centre by Colonel C.J Long. The heavy
guns were advanced into the bend in the river. They came under heavy fire
and as a result were abandoned. Buller then ordered an attempt to retrieve
these guns. Only 2 of the 12 were recovered. One of the those who died trying
to save these guns, was Lieutenant Freddy Roberts, son of Field Marshall,
Lord Roberts. Altogether Buller lost more than 1 100 men at Colenso, while 8
Boers lost their lives and 30 were wounded.
Battle of Thukela Heights:
This battle took place on 21-26 February 1900. It represented General
Bullers fourth attempt to relieve the town of Ladysmith. Numerous battles
were fought on the hills of Hlangwane, Monte Christo, Cingolo, Pieters,
Kitchener's, Wynne's and Inniskilling before the reoccupation of Ladysmith.
Turn off from the Colenso road towards Ezakheni/ Newcastle. This road
travels through a number of these battlefields. The graves and memorials on
the side of the road bear testimony to this fact. For a detailed map call at
the Siege Museum in Ladysmith. Tel:036-637 2231.
Site of the Guns:
Ten of the twelve British guns brought forward during the Battle of Colenso,
were lost to the Boers, under the leadership of General Louis Botha. Freddy,
son of Lord Roberts, was mortally wounded here. A marker indicates where he
fell.
Colenso Monuments & Memorials
Ambleside Military Cemetery:
Many of the men who fell in the Battle of Colenso, during the Anglo- Boer
War, particularly the Irish regiments, are buried here.Take the Weenen/
Colenso off ramp from the R103 (approaching from Estcourt) and turn left to
Winterton. Follow the signs to the cemetery. Open daily.
Armoured Train Cemetery: It was near this site that Winston Churchill
was captured by Boer forces, who derailed the armoured observation train
which he was travelling. A plaque just off the road records the event and
the cemetery set among trees. Off the R103 near Frere. Signposted
Chieveley Military Cemetery:
Here Lt. Freddy Roberts, the son of Lord Roberts, lies buried. He was
posthumously awarded the VC. Follow the dirt road past the railway station
to the cemetery set among trees. Off the R103 from Estcourt to Colenso. Open
daily
Clouston Garden of Remembrance:
Many of the Memorials and graves from the Battle of Colenso have been moved
to the Clouston Garden of Rembrance. This site was General Buller's
headquarters during the Battle of Colenso. There were a number of brigade
hospitals here during the battle to which the wounded were brought. The
graves of many of the men killed on the 15 December and Thukela Heights
battles are found in this 'garden'.
Colenso Museums
R.E Stevenson Museum(Old Toll House):
Erected in 1879 as the house of the Bulwer Bridge. The military historian Dr
R.E. Stevenson made a study of the Battles fought in and around Colenso
during the Anglo-Boer War. Obtain the key from the police station next door.
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