Defence of Ladysmith, October 1899 to 1900

The 2nd Battalion left India and landed at Natal in October, 1899, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G. Grimwood, and proceeded at once to Ladysmith, taking part in the Battles of Rietfontein (24th October) and Lombard's Kop, in which it fought alongside the 1st Battalion. It served through the defence of Ladysmith and distinguished itself in the fight on Wagon Hill of 6th January.

Up to 31st March the Battalion lost 5 officers (including two attached) and 26 men killed in action, 75 men wounded and 107 who died in hospital.

After the relief it was under the command of Major The Hon. E. J. Montagu-Stuart-Wortley and, with the 1st Battalion, formed part of the 8th Brigade, 5th Division, until 1st August, 1900, when it proceeded to Ceylon in charge of prisoners of war.

Relief Of Ladysmith, December 1899 to 1900

The 3rd Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel R. G. Buchanan Riddell, left England in November, 1899, with the 4th Light Infantry Brigade, under Major-General The Hon. N. G. Lyttelton (Rifle Brigade), and landed at Durban on the 30th. It took part in all the battles for the relief of Ladysmith, namely, Colenso, 15th December [at this battle Lieutenant The Hon. F. H. S. Roberts' gained the Victoria Cross (see Appendix)], Spion Kop, 24th January, Vaal Krantz, 5th to 7th February, and the fourteen days' continuous fighting, from 13th to 27th February, including the actions at Cingolo, Monte Cristo, Hlangwane, Hart's Hill and the final Battle of Pieter's Hill on 27th February, Majuba Day.

Spion Kop, 24th January 1900

At Spion Kop the Battalion captured the famous Twin Peaks single-handed and without artillery support. The final episodes of the assault are thus described in the account given by the historian of this war:

"At 5 p.m. under cover of heavy fire from the left half battalion and from the Naval guns, the right half fixed swords and rushed the eastern peak with a cheer. A few minutes later the left half were in possession of their peak also. Away galloped Burger's guns down the slope of the eastern peak, and the pompom from the slopes of the ridge now exposed to fire from above; down the hill and off the open ridge streamed Burger's commandos and Botha's reinforcements."