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

When war broke out in 1899, and early target for the Boers was the diamond-mining centre of Kimberley. This was located near the point where the Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony met. General Sir Redvers Buller detached the 1st Division under Lieutenant General Lord Methuen to relieve the Siege of Kimberley. This decision was made partly for reasons of prestige. To capture Kimberley (which contained the famous imperialist and former Prime Minister of Cape Colony, Cecil Rhodes) would be a major propaganda victory for the British. Methuen's force advanced north and won two engagements against the Boers of the Orange Free State. Reinforcements from Transvaal under General Koos de la Rey arrived and he convinced the Boers to follow his plans for attacking the British. Instead of relying on the hills for protection and missing their targets, de la Rey proposed they make use of the flat veld and introduced them to the Mauser rifle with its flat trajectory. Trenches were built in the banks of the Modder River from which they could sweep the veld for a great distance. The trenches were built on the south side of the river and on the smaller Riet River where they meet at Modder River Station. Methuen's force began advancing towards the Modder planning to cross the river. The Boers opened fire and the British troops were unable to find cover on the veld. They had to lay flat so as not to be seen or hit. The British guns pounded the buildings near Modder River Station and the north bank of the river, missing the trenches on the south bank. The battle became a stalemate. The British found an opening on the Boer's right flank at Rosmead ford downstream and drove the Boers out of Rosmead. De la Rey drove them back into a small insecure bridgehead. The Boers feared they were vulnerable and withdrew during the night. Methuen reported that the battle had been "one of the hardest and most trying fights in the annals of the British army". Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.boers, diamind-mining, kimberley, transvaal, orange free state, cape colony, sir rdvers buller, lieutenant general lord methuen, siege of kimberley, cecil rhodes, general koos dde la rey, mauser rifle, veld, modder river, modder river station, trenches, riet river, rosmead

French was born in Kent in 1852. He had a brief service in the Royal Navy before becoming a cavalry officer. He distinguished himself on the Gordon Relief Expedition and was rapidly promoted. French became a national hero during the Second Boer War. He won the Battle of Elandslaagte near Ladysmith, escaping on the last train as the siege began. He commanded the Cavalry Division, winning the Battle of Klip Drift during the march to relieve Kimberley. In Cape Colony he conducted Counter-insurgency operations. Attained the rank of Field Marshall. Awards he received: Knight of the Order of St Patrick, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George. French died in Kent in !925, aged 72. Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.1st earl of ypres, john french, second boer war, gordon relief expedition, cavalry, battle of klip drift, battle of elandslaagte, cape colony, counter insurgency operations, field marshall, knight of the order of st patrick, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, order of merit, knight grand cross of the royal victorian order, knight commander of the order of st michael and st george

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