Boer Wars

Magersfontein

Only a month after the declaration of war by the Boers in late 1899, the 2nd Battalion arrived in South Africa. There it was to be part of the Highland Brigade in the column sent to the relief of Kimberley. Unfortunately the Brigade was soon committed to a disastrous dawn attack on Boer positions at Magersfontein.

No proper reconnaissance had been carried out and the night advance was delayed by a storm, by thorn bushes and barbed wire. The 2nd Battalion, in the lead, was caught in the open in daylight and subjected to rapid and accurate fire from the Boer entrenchments. Despite gallant efforts to reach these trenches the Battalion was pinned down all day, losing over 300 killed or wounded.

Picture: Magersfontein "No Surrender" Oil painting by Frank Feller.

Paardeberg

Two months after Magersfontein the 2nd Battalion was in action again at Koodoosberg, a battle which cleared the route to Kimberley.

Amongst those of the Regiment killed in action was Lieutenant Freddy Tait, the Amateur Golf Champion. Shortly afterwards the Boers were encircled at Paardeberg. There the Highland Brigade was required to put in an attack across the open veldt. It did so in extended order and without the losses incurred at Magersfontein.

The Boers trapped at Paardeberg surrendered and the Orange Free State Capital, Bloemfontein was captured.

Picture: A section of 2nd Battalion under Sergeant Johnstone equipped for action in South Africa 1900"

1901 - 1902

There were to be two more years before the Boers accepted defeat, years in which the British forces experienced the frustrations of a guerrilla war. No longer were there Boer armies, only smaller groups which would engage the troops at long range then try and disengage before contact could be made. Eventually this was defeated by restricting movement with block houses and wire fences. This strategy required a huge number of troops in small detachments.

The 1st Battalion joined the 2nd on active service in December 1901 and they had an historic meeting at Harrismith.

Picture: The Senior Non Commissioned Officers of the 1st and 2nd Battalions The Black Watch gathered together during their meeting at Harrismith in 1901.