The First Boer War

Eighteen months after the Zulu War the Transvaal Boers, long discontented, decided to rid themselves of British control and, in January 1881, invaded Natal under General Joubert. The 3rd Battalion, now under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Cromer Ashburnham, was then at Pietermaritzburg, in Natal.

Laing's Nek, 28th January

Major-General Sir George Coney, the High Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief, having assembled at Newcastle a small force, which included the 3rd Battalion, advanced and attacked the Boers on the 28th in position at Laing's Nek. The Battalion in part covered the left flank, and in part formed a reserve to the assaulting column. The attack was repulsed with heavy loss, and the Battalion covered the retreat.

On 25th January the 2nd Battalion arrived from India, landing at Durban, and marched to join headquarters at Newcastle, where it remained until the armistice in March.

Ingogo, 8th February

A few days after their success at Laing's Nek the Boers made an attempt to cut Colley's communication with his base at Newcastle. Colley took a small force of two 9-pounder guns, thirty-eight men of the Mounted Infantry and five companies of the 3rd Battalion, under Ashburnham, and crossing the Ingogo River occupied a small plateau on the height beyond. Here the force was attacked and surrounded, the Boers having the advantage of good cover. After seven hours of fighting the night came on and the enemy withdrew. The Battalion lost five out of thirteen officers and 119 out of 295 other ranks. The survivors brought away the guns and marched back to camp. The Adjutant, Lieutenant E. O. H. Wilkinson, and six Riflemen who returned to bring in wounded were drowned recrossing the river. Colley's despatch contained a highly complimentary reference to the 3rd Battalion.

Majuba, 27th February

On the night of 26th February Sir George Colley decided to seize Majuba Hill by a night march-a hazardous undertaking which was ably executed. The following day the Boers in three assaulting columns, covered by rifle fire, carried the mountain with great gallantry, and completely defeated the small British force of 414 soldiers and sailors which held it.

Two companies of the 3rd Battalion were posted upon the lower spurs of the mountain, and with a third company, sent out later with ammunition, they covered the retreat.

Colley died a soldier's death upon the summit of the mountain. The peace which immediately followed gave the Transvaal Republic its independence, but laid the seeds for future conflict.

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