In the first days of the Second Boer War, Boer forces besieged British garrisons at Kimberley and Ladysmith. A 40,000 … See more

As the British force departed Orange River station, the 9th Lancers and Rimington's Guides conducted a reconnaissance from Fincham's Farm of the Belmont area, spotting several hundred Boers climbing up a … See more

The British 1st Division included the Guards Brigade of Major General Sir Henry Edward Colvile with the 3rd Battalion, Grenadiers, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Coldstream Guards, and the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, … See more

Lord Methuen planned to assault the Belmont-kopje by surprise before dawn, with the troops marching out at 3 AM. The 9th Brigade headed towards Table Mountain, whilst the Guards Brigade moved towards Gu… See more

Lord Methuen wrote to his wife after the battle. "I detest war, people congratulate me; the men seem to look on me like a father, but I detest war the more I see of it.' Outside his tent he could now hear a "poor fellow groa… See more

• Military history of South Africa See more