It is unknown how this specific item made its way into the Warrnambool Museum. However, many South African artefacts came to the museum through men who served in the army during the Boer Wars of 1880-81 and 1899-1902.A beaded rope necklace. The rope is made from cloth and plant fibre with glass beads. It has a brass fastening. There are five colours: white, green, black and red with a pink band at the top. In the Zulu culture beads and jewellery were used as a means of communication. Generally they were used to convey messages about whether someone was married, engaged or single. The colours had different meanings but when placed next to white, the meaning would always be positive. white: purity and love black: marriage and rebirth red: also love green: contentment pink: denoted high status Beadwork was almost solely the work of women but men would also wear the jewellery.zulu, south africa, jewellery, beads, kwa zulu natal, africa, boer war, warrnambool

In 1873 Forestier-Walker was appointed Military Secretary to the General Officer Commanding Cape Colony. He saw action in the Cape Frontier Wars, for which he was appointed a Companion of the Order ofthe Bath, 1878, and in the Anglo-Zulu War. In 1880 he returned to Britain but in 1882 returned to South Africa. From 1884 he served in Bechuanaland and in 1886 was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for services in that protectorate. During service in Egypt in 1890 he was knighted and promoted to a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He left Egypt in 1895. In 1899 he returned to Africa, becoming General Officer Commanding Cape Colony and acting as lieutenant general in command of Lines of Communication, South Africa Field Force, 1899-1901. The Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, Lord Roberts, mentioned Forestier-Walker in espatches in 1900. He was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George. In 1901 he became a Knight of Grace of the Order of St John.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cardsforestier-walker, military secretary, general officer commanding cape colony, cape frontier wars, companion of the order of the bath, anglo-zulu war, south africa, bechuanaland, knight commander of the order of the bath, lieutenant general, south africa field force, commander-in-chief, lord roberts, companion of the order of st michael and st george, knight commander of the order of st michael and st george, knight of grace of the order of st john

Hely-Hutchinson served as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Natal and Zululand between 1893 and 1901. He was appointed Governor of the Cape Colony in 1901 and was the last British Governor until the post disappeared when the colony joined the Union of South Africa in 1910. During the absence of Lord Selborne in 1909 he acted as High Commissioner to South Africa. He was awarded Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George.Individual image taken from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cardshely-hutchinson, commander-in-chief, governor, cape colony, natal, zululand, union of south africa, lord selborne, high commissioner, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george

The World Alliance of Reforned Churches had declared the South African Dutch Reformed churches heretical because of their doctrinal advocacy of apartheid. Storey spoke about the situation in South Africa - "Speaking from his non-violence Christian viewpoint, he said that violence was counter-productive. 'When an organisation uses these methods it loses something of its moral case. I understand why people such as the ANC turn to those methods. I will never agree with them.' He saw four main taks for the church in South Africa - to continue to tell the truth in a propagandised society, to continue to bind up the wounds of people who are victims in that society—in this area the church's record is a good one, to demonstrate in its own life an alternative to apartheid, and to try to fashion strategies which would bring about change, in harmony with the teachings of Christ."Storey is shown sitting at a table addressing a meeting.C&N identification.apartheid, storey, peter, south african churches

After serving in Malta and India, he became Assistant Adjutant General at Home District in 1893. After the outbreak of the Second Boer War he was appointed Colonel commandant of the City of London Volunteers who proceeded to South Africa. This corps included infantry, mounted infantry and artillery. They were in South Africa from January 1900 until October 1900, returning to England. The corps was disbanded in December 1900. MacKinnon was awarded with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath and Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cardsmalta, india, assistantadjutant general, second boer war, city of london volunteers, colonel, south africa

This medal not engraved on rear is an original issue. Item in the collection relating to the JACKSON Family.Single Africa Star medal with ribbon attached, not mounted."The Africa Star"medals, africa star, ribbon

207 pages, illustrated.publication, book, beekeeping, south, africa, anderson, buys, johannsmeier, beechworth honey

Henry Colville was educated at Eton and then entered the Grenadier Guards in 1870. He was appointed Aide-de-Camp to General the Honorable Sir Leicester Smyth, commanding the forces in South Africa in 1880. Colville had expeditions and was mentioned in despatches on numerous occasions. In 1893 he succeeded Sir Gerald Portal as Commissioner for Uganda, received the Central Africa Medal, made Knight Commander of the Order of St Micael and St George and received the second class Order of the Brilliant Star of Zanzibar. He served in the Second Boer War and during the early part he commanded the Guards Brigade, including during the Battle of Modder River in 1899.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.henry colville, eton, greadier guards, aide-de-camp, south africa, commissioner for uganda, central africa medal, knight commander of the order of st michael and st george, order of the brilliant star of zanzibar, battle of modder river, second boer war

General Sir Redvers Henry Buller served in South Africa during the 9th Cape Frontier War in 1878 and the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. In the Zulu War he commanded the mounted infantry under Sir Evelyn Wood. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery under fire at the Battle of Hlobane. He served in the First Boer War and was Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in South Africa during the Second Boer War. Other awards he received were Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George. He also received the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Plymouth in 1901.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cardsredvers henry buller, general, south africa, 9th cape frontier war, anglo-zulu war, victoria cross, battle of hlobane, first boer war, commander-in-chief, second boer war, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, plymouth

The Boer War was fought from 1899 to 1901.Black and white printed photo montage of Officers who served in the South African Forces during the Boer War. Portraits are supplemented with views of: Modder River, Ladysmith, Railway Bridge of Tugela, 4.7 naval gun, Royal Horse Artillery, Johannesburg Fort, Howitzer Gun, Field Artillery. The poster produced as an advertising medium for Wills Tobacco and Cigarettes using the Transvaal Series of cards.boer war, south african war, armed services, lord roberts, weapons, alfred milner, cecil rhodes, w.p. schreiner, w. hely hutchinson, w.p. symons, general mildyard, a. hunter, holled smith, dick-cunnynghame, f. roberts, charles warren, brabazon, a.g. wauchope, kelly-kenny, hector mcdonald, baden-powell, lord methuen, f. carrington, n.g. lyttleton, f. howard, j.d.f. french, w.f. gatacre, h.s. rawlinson, eyre crabbe, alderson, kekewich, a. fitzroy hart, g. white, lord kitchener, lord dundonald, plumer, h.m.l. rundle, w.h. mackinnon, h.e. colville, f. forestier walker, r. clements, redvers buller, h. chermside, g. lyttelton

Historical information of soldiers from the Albury-Wodonga district who fought in the Boer War in South Africa 1899 - 1902. In 1996 the then curator for the 8/13 VMR Museum, the Hon Colonel John Neale, commissioned the author to research a group of returned servicemen and women from the Boer War and had lived within 100 km radius of the Albury/Wodonga townships.The Boer War was the second war in South Africa and was the result of heavy taxes and non voting rights of the local white Boer population. Colonial forces including the Australian Light Horse contingent where called upon by England to overthrow the rebellion. This War was the first engagement of Australian troops fighting on foreign soil.This Honour Roll details the pay rates, the battle highlights, weapons used and maps covering the first Australian contingent of soldiers who fought in the Transvaal (Boer War).. Listed are the names of those soldiers who lived within 100klms of Albury and Wodonga.The soldiers are listed by Location, Rank, Initial,Name and Unit. The significance of both the War and those who served in it is two fold. Firstly it demonstrates that the tie between the Colonial outreaches of England's Empire to "the Motherland" were extremely strong at this point in time. This union remained strong up until the middle of World War II when England could not help Australia to defend itself against possible invasion by Japan. The alliance between Australia and the United States of America replaced the British/Australian pact. Secondly the attitude of, and the high degree of horsemanship of those from the Albury and Wodonga area. The degree of adaptability, by these servicemen, to suit the environment in which they fought provided the first real insight into the Australian psyche "of those living and surviving on the harsh Australian outback"This book has a bright red soft cover and is bound with bright yellow tape. There is a drawing of two Australian soldiers on the front, one on horsebackAuthor's complimentary inscription "To Mount Beauty Museum with compliments" signed Ian R Docking history, boer war, ex-servicemen and women, albury and wodonga

Paul Sanford Methuen became deputy adjutant-general in South Africa in 1888. He was promoted to major general in 1890 and succeeded his father as 3rd baron in 1891. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1898 and was given the command of the 1st Division on the outbreak of the Second Boer War. He suffered both defeats and successes during the war - the greatest defeat was at the Battle of Magersfontein, one of three defeats in "Black Week", which led to the dispatch of Lord Roberts to South Africa. During his career he was awarded Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.lord methuen, south africa, adjutant-general, major general, lieutenant general, second boer war, "black week", battle of magersfontein, lord roberts, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george, knight grand cross of the royal victorian order

After completing his education, Sir Frederick Carrington joined the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1864. In 1875 he went to South Africa and formed and commanded the Mounted Infantry in the Griqualand West expedition and the Frontier Light Horse in the Ninth Frontier War in 1877. In 1878-1879 he commanded the Transvaal Volunteer Force against Sekhukhune and the Cape Mounted Riflemen in the Basuto Gun War of 1881. In 1885 he was in command of the 2nd Mounted Infantry when he accompanied Sir Charles Warren expedition to Bechuanaland. The Infantry soon became known as "Carrington's Horse". He became military adviser to the High Commissioner in the First Matabele War and commanded the British Force in the Matabele Rebellion in 1896. During 1899-1900 he was back in Ireland but returned to South Africa in 1900 following the outbreak of the Second Boer War and was appointed on the staff of the South Africa Field Force with the rank of lieutenant-general. he was in command of the Rhodesian Field Force during the war. He was awarded the Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1887 and Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1897.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.sir frederick carrington, south africa, transvaal volunteer force, mounted infantry, frontier light horse, griqualand west, ninth frontier war, cape mounted riflemen, basuto gun war, carrington's horse, high commissioner, second boer war, lieutenant-general, knight commander of the order of the bath, knight commander of the order of st michael and st george, rhodesian field force

WWII historical significance from the African CampaignWWII African Campaign brass tankard from 1943 describing various battles carried out by the 8th Army. Possibly trench art.Engraved with various battles carried out by the 8th Army. Also engraved with The North African Campaign ends on the 13th May 1943.ww2, second world war, world war 2, world war ii, tankard, mug, african campaign

Alfred Milner, 1st Viscount Milner was a British statesman and colonial administrator. He played an influential role in the formulation of foreign and domestic policy from mid 1890s to early 1920s. In 1897he became High Commissioner for South Africa and Governor of Cape Colony. He pushed the Transvaal Republic to war, oversaw the war and organised the reconstruction after the war. Milner left South Africa in 1905 after being involved in many of the changes that took place while he was there. Honours Awarded: Companion of the Order of the Bath (1894); Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (1895); Knight GrandCross of the Order of St Michael and St George (1897); Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (1901); Knight of the Order of the Garter (1921). Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cardsalfred milner, 1st viscount milner, statesman, colonial administrator, high commissioner, governor of cape colony, transvaal, south africa, companion of the order of the bath, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george, knight of the order of the garter

Cecil Rhodes was a British businessman, mining magnate and politician in South Africa. He was Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896. He believed in British Imperialism and he and his British South Africa Company formed the territory of Rhodesia in the early 1890s. He was forced to resign as Prime Minister in 1896 after the disastrous Jameson Raid, an unauthorised attack on Paul Kruger's South African Republic (Transvaal), which sent his brother to prison convicted of high treason and nearly sentenced to death. This event contributed to the outbreak of the Second Boer War. Rhodes went to Kimberley in a political move. During the war the military felt he was more of a liability than an asset and found him intolerable. The officer commanding the garrison of Kimberley, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kekewich, experienced serious personal difficulties with Rhodes because of the latter's inability to co-operate. However, he still remained a leading figure in the politics of southern Africa. Rhodes was dogged by ill health his whole life. He died in 1902, aged 48, at his seaside cottage in Muizenberg. He was cared for by Leander Starr Jameson during his illness, becoming a trustee of his estate and residuary beneficiary of his will, which allowed him to continue living in Rhode's mansion after his death. His final will left a large area of land on the slopes of Table Mountain. Part of the estate became the upper campus of the University of Cape Town, another part became the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. The rest was spared development and is now an important conservation area. His will also provided for the establishment of the Rhodes Scholarship. Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.cecil rhodes, mining magnate south africa, politician south africa, prime minister cape colony, british south africa company, rhodesia, jameson raid, paul kruger, south africa republic, transvaal, second boer war, kimberley, robert kekewich, leander starr jameson, muizenberg, table mountain, university of cape town, kirstenbosch national garden

Items collected by Bert HEWSTON on the way to England WW1, refer Cat No 2759.2 for his service history. Part of the HEWSTON collection re WW1 & WW2.3 x Souvenir booklets from South Africa. .1) Dark grey/brown cover with illustration of native children within an oval shape. Contains colour prints of native people & places. 15 pages. .2) A coloured reproduction of a Zulu in marriage costume. Cream card cover with pale brown printing. Contains 3 x dried silver leaves fromTable Mountain fused to the inside back cover. .3) Photo post card of Promenade Pier, Cape Town which has 2 x dried silver leaves from Table Mountain fused to the inside the back cover..1) Printed: “Native life in South Africa” .2) Printed: “Zulu in marriage costume SA” .3) Printed: “From South Africa”documents - booklets, military history - souvenirs, africa

Lyttelton served in the Second Boer War as Commander of the 4th Brigade from 1899. He temporarily became General Officer Commanding the 2nd Division and the commanded the 4th Division. The Division was involved in the Battle of Spion Kop and the Battle of Vaal Krantz, leading to the Relief of Ladysmith 1900. Lord Roberts referred to Lyttelton as an officer "with great coolness under fire, and considerable tactical knowledge and resource........an excellent commander in the field." Following the end of the Boer War in 1902, Lyttelton became Commander-in-Chief of the whole of South Africa. He and his wife sought to repair relations with the Boer community. In the South Africa honours of 1902 Lyttelton was knighted as Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He retired in 1912 and under insistence by the King was appointed as Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea from that time until his death there in 1931. Other awards received were Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath; Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order; Order of Osmanieh (Ottoman Empire)Individual image taken from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.neville gerald lyttelton, second boer war, commander, 4th brigade, battle of spion kop, battle of vaal krantz, relief of ladysmith, lord roberts, commander-in-chief, south africa, knight commander of the order of the bath, royal hospital chelsea, order of osmanieh (ottoman empire), knight grand cross of the royal victorian order

The Second Boer War started late 1899. Rundle was appointed to be commander of the 8th Division of the South African Field Force and served until 1902. His army record and achievements meant he was mentioned in dispatches and therefore awarded with King Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George; Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order; Distinguished Service Order.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.second boer war, major general, sir h m l rundle, commander, 8th division, south african field force, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, knight grand cross of the royal victorian order, distinguished service order

On the formation of the Field Force for South Africa, Brabazon was chosen to command a Cavalry Brigade and promoted to Major-General. He commanded the Imperial Yeomanry, mainly due to his organising powers and personal acquaintance with many of the best known officers of the Force. This was the time of the Second Boer War. His divisional commander was General Sir John French. In recognition of his previous professional merits he was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Queen Victoria in 1889.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.south africa, brabazon, major-general, imperial yeomanry, sir john french, queen victoria, field force, second boer war, aide-de-camp

Edwin Alderson was born in 1859 and served in several campaigns of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He saw service in the First Boer War in 1881 in the Transvaal. In 1896 he was sent to Mashonaland as a commander of a regiment of local troops during the Second Matabele War. In 1900 shortly after the outbreak of the Second Boer War he returned to South Africa to command the Mounted Infantry against the Boer forces. Alderson also served in the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War, Mounted Camel Regiment during the failed expedition to relieve Khartoum and rescue General Gordon. At the outbreak of the First World War, Alderson was in charge of the 1st Mounted Division. He retired from active service in 1920 aged 61. In 1901, as a result of Alderson's contribution to many campaigns he was rewarded with confirmation as a Brigadier General, appointment as a Companion of the Order of Bath and to receive the ceremonial post of Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria, who died the same year. He also received the Queen's South Africa Medal. He died in 1927 aged 68. Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards. alderson, campaigns, first boer war, transvaal, mashonaland, south africa, second boer war, first world war, anglo-egyptian war, mounted camel regiment, second matabele war, general gordon, brigadier-general, companion of the order of bath, aide-de-camp, queen victoria, queen's south africa medal

Penleigh Boyd, Robin and Patricia Boyd's son, writes “Prior to 1950 Robin, like most other amateur or hobby photographers, took black and white printed photographs. The oldest slides date from 1950 when Robin and Patricia travelled to Europe on Robin’s Robert Haddon Travelling Scholarship.” In 1948 Robin Boyd was awarded ‘joint first place’ in the Robert Haddon competition for his design of Mildura art gallery. The scholarship helped fund their first overseas trip. Robin and Patricia were passengers on the Greek ship “Cyrenia” departing in May 1950, passing through the Suez Canal and landing in Genoa five weeks later. For six months, they travelled extensively throughout Europe (predominantly driving themselves) - France, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain.Colour slide in a mount. CIAAO Hotel, Massawa, Eritrea, Africa. CIAAO stands for Concessione Italiana Alberghi Africa Orientale - a chain of colonial Italian hotels in East Africa.Africa Massawa Hotel (Handwritten) / CIAAO Hotel, Massawa ( Handwritten)haddon travelling scholarship, haddon, robin boyd, slide

Penleigh Boyd, Robin and Patricia Boyd's son, writes “Prior to 1950 Robin, like most other amateur or hobby photographers, took black and white printed photographs. The oldest slides date from 1950 when Robin and Patricia travelled to Europe on Robin’s Robert Haddon Travelling Scholarship.” In 1948 Robin Boyd was awarded ‘joint first place’ in the Robert Haddon competition for his design of Mildura art gallery. The scholarship helped fund their first overseas trip. Robin and Patricia were passengers on the Greek ship “Cyrenia” departing in May 1950, passing through the Suez Canal and landing in Genoa five weeks later. For six months, they travelled extensively throughout Europe (predominantly driving themselves) - France, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain.Colour slide in a mount. Africa Massawa Shops, Massawa, EritreaAfrica Massawa Shops (Handwritten)haddon travelling scholarship, haddon, robin boyd, slide

Australia informed Great Britain that would likely support the enlistment of volunteers to South Africa. The Victorian Commandant, Major General Holled Smith, a veteran of the humiliation at Majuba Hill, publicly declared his support of the idea of an Australian force.The growing idea that an ability to ride and shoot, combined with some degree of military training, was the fore-runner for the Mounted Riflemen. In the late 1890s, Major General Sir Charles Holled Smith believed that mounted rifles were 'essentially the arm for Australia. They know the country to be operated over, and they can ride'.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.australia, great britain, south africa, volunteers, charle holled smith, majuba hill, mounted riflemen, commandant

At a press conference in Melbourne, the Australian Council of Church, Australian Catholic Relief, the Baptist World Aid and Relief Committee, the Lutheran World Service and the Seventh Day Adventists joined to speak about a combined appeal to relieve drought victims in Africa. One speaker was Anglican priest the Rev. James Murray, who had recently returned from some of the drought-stricken areas with a film-maker, having been sent on behalf of the appeal. The article has three columns and provides more detail about the drought and its effects and how the churches' help will be used.Head & shoulders photo of middle-aged man wearing a beard.C&N identification.combined churches drought action in africa, murray, james

In 1898 Eyre Macdonnell Stewart Crabbe had been promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and became commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. In 1899 he led the Battalion to South Africa following the outbreak of the Second Boer War. At the battle of Belmont he was wounded but able to continue and attend the battle of Magersfontein. He was wounded again in 1900 when ambushed at Karee Siding but a month later was back in action. In 1901 he fought against Fouche and Kritzinger, and defeated Van der Merwe and Hildebrand. After the war he held staff posts at Aldershot but died suddenly in 1905 aged 52.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards. eyre crabbe, lieutenant-colonel, 3rd battalion, grenadier guards, south africa, second boer war, battle of belmont, battle of magersfontein, karee siding, fouche, kritzinger, van der merwe, hildebrand

As well as his army positions, Kelly-Kenny was very interested in politics in his native County Clare. In the Second Anglo-Boer War he was , as a Lieutenant-General, General Officer Commanding the 6th Division of the South African field forces. He was twice mentioned in dispatches and received the Queen's South African Medal with four clasps. He was involved in the relief of Kimberley, the battles of Paardeberg, Poplar Grove and Driefontein. Lieutenant-General Kitchener was appointed commander and over-ruled Kelly-Kenny's plan to besiege Cronji and bombard his force from a safe distance. Kitchener ordered an assault on the Boer trenches. The result was "Bloody Sunday" - an unnecessary sacrifice of hundreds of lives on the British side. Kelly-Kenny was involved in the engagements at Poplar Grove and Driefontein where the 6th Division distinguished itself. These were viewed as key to destroying the Boer morale and winning the war. General Kelly-Kenny was a close friend of King Edward VII. Appointments made, at the insistence of the King, were often challenged. Due to his loyalty and abilities Kelly-Kenny was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath and received a knighthood in a private audience. Once again others tried to have him moved from the War Office but the King intervened again and he remained in his position. He was conferred with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (1904), Grand Cross of the Red Eagle (1905 - Germany), Grand Cross of the Rising Sun (1906 - Japan) and on his return to Britain he received the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (1906) Individual image taken from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.kell-kenny, county clare, lieutenant-general, kimberley, queen's south african medal, paardeberg, poplar grove, driefontein, kitchener, bloody sunday, cronji, boer war, trenches, knight commander of the order of the bath, war office, king, king edward vii, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, grand cross of the red eagle, grand cross of the rising sun, knight grand cross of the royal victorian order

Ladysmith is a city in the Uthukela District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In 1847 after buying the land from the Zulu King Mpande, a number of Boers settled in the area and called it the Republic of Klip River. The Republic was annexed by the British in the same year and on 20 June 1850 it was proclaimed a township called Windsor. In October 1850 the name changed to Ladysmith after Juana Maria de los Delores de Leon Smith, also known was "Lady Smith", the Spanish wife of Sir Harry Smith, the Governor of the Cape Colony. He was also High Commissioner in South Africa from 1847 to 1852. A for was built in 1860 to protect the villagers from the Zulu. During the Second Boer War British commander Lieutenant General Sir George White made Ladysmith his centre of operations for the protection of Natal against the Boer forces. A number of short lived battles were fought for the control of the town. After suffering many casualties the British retreated to Ladysmith. While the British regrouped in the town, Boer forces surrounded Ladysmith. The siege lasted 118 days during one of the most crucial stage of the war. Three attempts by General Sir Redvers Buller to break the siege resulted in defeat for the British forces at the Battles of Colenso, Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz. The Boer forces attempted to break the siege. This led to the Battle of Platrand, or Wagon Hill, south the town. Buller finally broke the siege in February 1900 after defeating the Boers. Sir Winston Churchill, a young war correspondent was present at the Relief of Ladysmith after having been taken prisoner - between Ladysmith and Colenso - and escaping earlier during the war.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.ladysmith, south africa, zulu, boers, republic of klip river, windsor, lady smith, sir harry smith, governor, cape colony, high commissioner, sir george white, natal, siege of ladysmith, sir redvers buller, battle of colenso, battle of platrand, sir winston churchill, wagon hill