Photos of the Combatants
I recently recently recovered my copy of 'The Theatre of War', a publication printed in early 900 for the readers of 'The Gentlewoman' magazine. It includes some interesting historic photos as well as B/W photo portraits of some of the leading characters of the SAW which I thought to share with you here. Below is the font cover of 'The Theatre of War' showing Joubert and Buller.
1900. 'The Theatre of War'. This was published before Lord Roberts became CiC in SA.
Commandant General Piet Joubert, left; General Sir Redvers Buller, right.
Included is a photo showing the British and Boer delegation at Charlestown in 1893 for the opening of the Natal line. Included are President Kruger and Commandant General Joubert who would make Charlestown his HQ during the 1899 -1900 Republican invasion of Natal. Perhaps this is a cunning reconnaisance by the Boer General known to his colleagues as "Slim Piet". (Afr. clever Piet.)
Below are two of the only three sets of stamps issued before 2008 that show the image of President Kruger. If you know of others, please let me know. Also, it is said that the ZAR was preparing to produce stamps showing its President Paul Kruger but the SAW intervened and it never happened. Imagine if there were proofs of these out there somewhere gathering the dust of history.
Left: 1955. Union of SA. Mint single and used strip of 3 3d 'Centenary of Pretoria' showing President Kruger.
Right 1971. Republic of SA. Mint and used single 4c '10th Anniversary of the Republic' showing Presidents Steyn and Kruger.
I have put this rough montage together of various military men who were present at the Battle of Elandslaagte. I have put it togther from various portatrits of the British Army commanding officers present. I will at some point add a simimilar montage for the Republicans.
1899. Clockwise. from top left. General Yule who took over command of General Sir William Penn Symons force after Symons was mortally wounded at Talana Hill, a British tactical victory on 20th October. General Sir George White who was to take over command of Natal forces from Symons had chosen Ladysmith as his forward HQ where he would later be 'bottled up'. Brigadier-General Brocklehurst, an officer on White's staff. Colonel Scott Chsholm killed at Elandslaagte on 21st Ocober, another British victory that gained no tactical advantage. Yule would abandon Dundee on 22nd and withdraw to Ladysmith when he learned White had done the same. The eccentric Major-General Francis Clery who dyed his side-whiskers blue commanded the 2nd Division which fought at Colenso (December 1899) and Spio Kop (January 1900). Following these setbacks it came under Lord Roberts command. After the relief of Ladysmith and the advance into the Transvaal, the 2nd Division was disbanded by the end of 1900. General Penn Symons, a gallant soldier who concealed the wound that would kill him from his men in order that they not be disheartened in the midst of battle. Symons' felt betrayed by his replacement, Brigadier General Yule, who made the difficult decision to abandon Dundee and its severely wounded, including Symons. When Dundee surrendered the next day Symons became a POW. Before he died on 23rd October he implored Major Donegan, the medical officer, to "tell everyone I died facing the enemy".