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

Robert Baden-Powell was born in 1857. After school he joined the British Army as an officer and was posted to India. In the early 1880s he served in the Natal province of South Africa amidst the Zulu He learnt advanced scouting skills during his time in South Africa where knowledge of countryside was vital for gaining information. In 1896 he returned to Africa and served in the Second Matabele War in the expedition to relieve British South Africa Company personnel under siege in Bulawayo. From 1899 to 1900, Baden-Powell commanded the garrison at Mafeking during the Second Boer War. The siege of Mafeking lasted 217 days and the successful defence of the town raised his national profile. In 1900 Baden-Powell was promoted to Major General. In 1901 he was invested as Companion of the Order of Bath by King Edward VII. After some controversies he retired from the Army in 1910. At the beginning of the First World War he put himself at the disposal of the War Office but no command was given to him. Awards obtained include Ashanti Star (1895), British South Africa Company Medal (1896), Queen's South Africa Medal (1899), King's South Africa Medal (1902), Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, plus numerous Scouting Medals. Baden-Powell married in 1912 at the age of 55. He and Olave had three children. Baden-Powell died in 1941 and buried in St Peter's Cemetery, Nyeri, Kenya. Olave died in 1977 and her ashes were sent to Kenya to be interred beside her husband.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards. See 09350.baden-powell, british army, natal, south africa, zulu, india, officer, scouting, second matabele war, british south africa company, bulawayo, mafeking, second boer war, major general, companion of the order of bath, ashant star, british south africa company medal, queen's south africa medal, king's south africa medal, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george, knight grand cross of the royal victorian order, knight commander of the order of the bath

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

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

Kekewich commanded the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment (North Lancashire) in the Second Boer War. He commanded the garrison in Kimberley during the siege and successful defence of the town. At this time he came into conflict with Cecil Rhodes who persuaded John French, commanding the relief force, to replace Kekewich with another officer as commander of the garrison. Kekewich was promoted to colonel for his services. In 1901 he was wounded in an attack by General de la Rey near Moedwil but soon recuperated. Kekewich was in charge during the British victory at the Battle of Rooiwai, the last major battle during the war. He stayed in South Africa until peace had been signed and then returned to England. For his services he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath and on retirement was appointed to the Honorary position of Colonel of the Buffs.Individual image taken from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.kekewich, 1st battalion, loyal regiment, second boer, kimberley, cecil rhodes, john french, garrison, de la rey, moedwil, rooiwai, companion of the order of the bath

After attending Eton College, Herbert Chermside attended the Royal Military Academy where he graduated at the top of his year and was commissioned in the Royal Engineers in 1870. After several postings and expeditions, including the Arctic in 1873, he was promoted to captain in 1882 and appointed to the British Army's intelligence staff in Egypt and given command of the Egyptian Army's 1st Battalion. He spent four years in Egypt. Promotions and consular appointments followed and eventually he returned to Britain. He was appointed in command of the Curragh Camp in Ireland, 1900. However, he was sent to South Africa to command the 14th brigade and the 3rd division during the Second Boer War. Late 1901 he returned to his position in Ireland and in 1902 he was appointed the first Post-Federation Governor of Queensland, Australia. He announced his retirement in 1904 and returned to Britain. He retired from the Army in 1907. Chermside was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1886, Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1880, upgraded to Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1897 and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1899. Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.herbert chermside, royal military academy, commissioned, royal engineers, arctic, egypt, british army intelligence staff, curragh camp, ireland, south africa, second boer war, governor of queensland, companion of the order of the bath, companion of the order of st michael and st george, knight commander of the order of st michael and st george, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts was a British Soldier who served in India, Abyssinia and Afghanistan before leading the British Forces to success in the Second Boer War. He became the last Commander-in-Chief of the Forces before the post was abolished in 1904. While in South Africa he was at the Siege of Kimberley, the Battle of Paardeberg, the Battle of Poplar Grove, the Battle of Diamond Hill and the Battle of Bergendal. Roberts received many awards: Victoria Cross (1858-India); Companion of the Order of the Bath (1872-Afghanistan); Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (1878-Afghanistan);Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (1880-Afghanistan) and Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire in the same year. He was Commander-in Chief, India in 1885 was advanced to Knight Commander of the Order of India (1887) and then Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire later that year. He became Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India. The same year he relinquished his Indian command and became Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in 1895 made a Knight of the Order of St Patrick. In 1899 he returned to South Africa to take overall command of British Forces in the Second Boer War. December 1900 Roberts handed over command to Lord Kitchener and returned to England where more honours were awarded. He was made a Knight of the Order of the Garter; created Earl Roberts of Kandahar, Pretoria and Waterford and Viscount St Pierre. He became a Knight of Grace of the Order of St John (1901) and then Knight of Justice of the Order of St John. The Kaiser awarded him the German Order of the Black Eagle and was among the original recipients of the Order of Merit in the 1902 Coronation Honours. Roberts died in 1914. He was given and State Funeral and buried in St Paul's Cathedral.Individual image taken from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.frederick sleigh roberts, earl roberts, india, abyssinia, afghanistan, british forces, second boer war, commander-in-chief, south africa, siege of kimberley, battle of paardeberg, battle of poplar grove, battle of diamond hill, battle of bergendal, victoria cross, companion of the order of the bath, knight commander of the order of the bath, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, companion of the order of the indian empire, knight commander of the order of india, knight grand commander of the order of the indian empire, knight grand commander of the order of the star of india, knight of the order of st patrick, knight of the order of the garter, viscount st pierre, knight of grace of the order of st john, knight of justice of the order of st john, order of the black eagle, order of merit, st paul's cathedral, london

William Penn Symons' first combat experience was in South Africa during the Ninth Xhosa War, 1877-78. In 1879 he took part in the Zulu war. He then served during the Burma Expedition (1885-89). In 1889 he received the Companion of the Order of the Bath. In 1898, following other campaigns, he was awarded the Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. In 1899, Symons was given the staff rank of brigadier general and was to be General Officer Commanding of Natal. He was asked by the War Office to advise on the number of troops required to safely garrison the Natal from the threat of invasion from the Boer Republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free states. Cabinet decided to send ten thousand extra troop abut they also appointed Lieutenant General Sir George White to supersede Symons as Generat Officer Commanding in Natal. Penn Symons, on his own authority deployed one of his brigades to Dundee, a town north of Ladysmith. The position of Ladysmith anad Dundee was precarious as they stand in a triangle of Natal, Orange Free State and Transvaal. White wanted to recall the Dundee garrison to Ladysmith but because of political pressure from Sit Walter Hely-Harrison, the Governor of Natal, he agreed to leave them there. The Boers declared war on 11 October and began crossing the Natal borders the following day. On 20 October 1899 Boer troops on the nearby Talana Hill proceeded to open fire on the town. The British guns moved to return fire as the general surveyed the Boer positions and gave orders to his commanding officers. Symons believed in old fashioned military tactics of close order but these formations were not designed to be used against lonf range bolt action rifles and Symons' brigades would be the first of manyin this war to pay the heavy cost ofthe mistake, as many generals would repeat it. The infantry battalions set off from the east of the town. The first part of the advance went well and they reached a small wood at the foot of the hill where they found shelter. Beyond the wood was a wall and then open ground. Symons rode up to the wood to find out why the attack had halted. He ordered the men to proceed, rode through the wood then walked through the gap in the wall. After a few moments he returned and was helped to remount his horse. He rode back from the front lines until he was out of sight of his troops before he asked for assistance from the Indian stretcher bearers. He had been shot in the stomach. Symons was taken to the field hospital at Dundee. After a few wasted days Symons' replacement, Brigadier General Yule, decided to abandon the town and the worst-wounded to the Boers and steal away at night to Ladysmith. Symons became a prisoner of war along with many others. He felt betrayed by Yule and just before he died he implored the medical officer, Major Donegal, to "tell everyone I died facing the enemy". Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.william penn symons, south africa, ninth xhosa war, companion of the order of the bath, knigt commander of the order of the bath, general officer commanding in natal, dundee, ladysmith, orange free state, transvaal, sir walter hely-harrison, governor of natal, boers, brigadier general yule

During the Second Boer War Hildyard was posted to South Africa and commanded 2nd Brigade from 1899 to 1900. He saw active service at the Battle of Colenso. Hidyard remained in South Africa to command the 5th Division from 1900 to 1901 and took part in the Battle of the Tugela Heights. He was appointed as Director-General of Military Education from 1903 to 1904 and lieutenant general on the Imperial General Staff commanding the troops in South Africa from 1904 to 1905. He was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa from 1905 to 1908. He retired in 1911. Awarded Companion of the Order of the Bath 1897, (Diamond Jubilee Honours); Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath 1900; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath 1911, (Coronation Honours)Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.sir henry hildyard, south africa, second boer war, battle of tugela heights, battle of colenso, military education, knight commander of the order of the bath, knight grand cross of the order of the bath

Unsigned & undated letter of congratulations, written in pencil. Letter reads: Dear - - I have the honour & great privileged to convey to you, the congratulations of the officers, warrant & non com officers and men of the Bgo Reg. on the occasion of your being honoured by his most gracious Majesty the King. We are proud to know & feel that the honour of being appointed a Companion of the most Honourable Order of the Bath for such distinguished services can be accepted by all ranks as a further link of distinction of your association with the Bgo Reg. & share with you, as our Hon Colonel, the pride e- -ant at this moment. I am, Sir, Yours Sincerely.ephemera, mementoes, correspondence, r.s.l. bendigo collection - correspondence, bgo reg, the king, companion of the most honourable order of the bath

General Sir Charles Warren was an officer in the British Royal Engineers. He was one of the earliest European archaeologists ofthe Holy Land. Much of his military service was spene in British South Africa. Previously he was police chief, the Head of the London Metropolitan Police during the Jack the Ripper murders. In 1876, the Colonial Office appointed him special commissioner to survey the boundary between Griqualand West and the Orange Free State. For this work he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1877. He was appointed special commissioner to investigate "native questions" in Bechuanaland and commanded the Northern Border Expedition troops in quelling the rebellion there. In 1879 he became Administrator of Griqualand West. The town Warranton in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa is named after him. In 1882 the Admiralty sent him to Sinai to discover what had happened to Professor Edward Palmer's archaeological expedition. He discovered the members had been robbed and murdered, located their remains and brought their killers to justice. For this he was created a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1883 , also Knight of Justice of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and in 1884 elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1884 Warren was sent as HM Special Commissioner to command a military expedition to Bechuanaland, to assert British sovereignty in the face of encroachments from Germany and the Transvaal and to suppress the Boer freebooter states of Stellaland and Goshen, which were backed by the Transvaal and were stealing land and cattle from the local Tswana tribes. This became known as the Warren Expedition and achieved its aims without bloodshed. Warren was recalled and in 1885 was made Knight Grand Cross ofthe Order of St Michael and St George. In 1885 Warren stood for election for Parliament but lost the vote. In 1886 he was appointed Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis following Sir Edmund Henderson's resignation. Criticised continually for his decisions and actions he resigned in November 1888. Prior to this time he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, January 1888. On the outbreak of the Boer War in 1899 he returned to service and commanded the 5th Division of the South African Field Force. In January 1990, Warren bungled the second attempted relief of Ladysmith at Tugela River. At the Battle of Spion Kop, January 1990 he had operational command and his failure of judgement, delay and indecision despite his superior forces culminated in the disaster. It has been said that Warren was "perhaps the worst" of the British generals in the Boer War and certainly the most "preposterous". Redvers Buller in a letter to his wife described him as "a duffer", responsible for him losing him "a great chance". Warren was recalled to Britain in August 1900 and never again commanded troops in the field. Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.holy land, sir charles warren, british royal engineers, archaeologist, british south africa, london metropolitan police, jack the ripper, colonial office, commissioner, griqualand west, orange free state, companion of the order of st michael and st george, bechuanaland, northern border expedition, warrenton, sinai, professor edward palmer, knight commander of the order of st michael and st george, knight of justice of the order of st johnof jerusalem, fellow of the royal society, knight grand cross of the order of st michael and st george, boer war, redvers buller, knight commander of the order of the bath