Brave Hearts in Africa
When the Boer war ended the people of Belfast as with most cities in Great Britain and Ireland celebrated victory and the end of a onflict which cost 20,000 lives, of which 1,500 were from Ireland. This was the first war to involve large scale contingents from the Empire – from Australia, Canada and New Zealand soldiers came to fight alongside British Regulars and South African Militias against the Boers.
On a hillside near Ladysmith, invisible and unvisited, lies a memorial to the Connaught Rangers who, along with their comrades in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, formed part of Hart’s 5 Irish Brigade who fought and died on the hot and dusty African Veld and on the banks of the Tugela. Of the attack on Tababyama (Rangeworthy Heights), Conan Doyle noted that Hart’s Brigade “upheld that immortal tradition with which that name, in or out of British service, has invariably been associated”
The Irish Regiments which took part in the war included 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, 8th (King’s Royal Irish) Hussars and all eight Irish regiments of the line. Queen Victoria sent a telegram “I have heard with the deepest concern of the loss sustained by my brave Irish soldiers. I desire to express my sympathy and admiration of the splendid fighting qualities they have exhibited throughout these trying operations”. Irish soldiers were present at both the massacre at Isandlwana and the subsequent heroic defence of Rorke’s Drift and no visit to the battlefields of Kwa-Zulu Natal would be complete without visiting the sites of actions which stunned the world.
At Isandlwana soldiers from the Royal Artillery, 24th Foot, the Natal Police and Natal Native Infantry numbering some 1,200 men were massacred by some 12,000 Zulu warriors. The first posthumous VCs were awarded for this action but not until 1907. One was awarded to an Irishman, Lieutenant Neville Coghill of Drumcondra, Co Dublin.
The action at Rorke’s Drift, made famous by the film “Zulu” resulted in the award of 11 Victoria Crosses, the highest ever awarded for a single engagement in British military history. Two VCs have Irish connections: Surgeon Reynolds from Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire), whilst Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead had an Irish mother.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Belfast/ London/ Johannesburg |
| Day 2 | Arrive Johannesburg. You will be picked up by your tour guide and escort and transferred to the Spion Kop Lodge – the base for your South African battlefield experience. The rest of the day will be at leisure to unwind and relax, either by the pool or in your well appointed room in the beautifully restored 19th century property chosen by General Buller as his headquarters for the battle of Spion Kop. |
| Day 3 | After a late breakfast Raymond Heron will give you a presentation on the origins of the Boer War and, in particular, the part played by Hart’s 5 (Irish) Brigade in the conflict. |
| Day 4 | Following a visit to the Ladysmith Siege Museum you will travel the site where Winston Churchill was captured during the conflict. After lunch we will visit the areas of Colenso and Tugela Heights to see Inniskilling Hill and the Connaught Rangers Memorial. |
| Day 5 | This will be a day of relaxation. You can soak up the sun at the pool or take one of the many optional trips or activities available in the area. These include golf, horse-back game viewing or a sunset cruise on the beautiful Spion Kop Dam. |
| Day 6 | The day will start with a presentation on the Zulu War followed by a visit to the site of the Battle of Blood River where under 500 Voortrekkers faced up to 20,000 Zulu warriors. The victory won by the Afrikaaners subsequently shaped modern South African history. |
| Day 7 | A further day of leisure. Your choice... relax or enjoy one of the many activities available. |
| Day 8 | Today is the anniversary of the battle of Isandlwana and the epic defence of Rorke’s Drift. After an early breakfast we will travel to site of these events which rocked Victorian Britain. A wreath will be laid at Rorke’s Drift. |
| Day 9 | Following lunch you will travel to nearby Mount Alice from where Buller directed the battle and Raymond will explain the strategy and tactics used in the attle of Spion Kop. Sunset refreshments will be served overlooking the mountains and nearby game reserve before retiring to the Lodge for dinner. |
| Day 10 | Today is the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Spion Kop. Lookout Hill (Spion Kop), from which the area of Liverpool Football Club tadium at Anfield derives its name, was the site of the most costly and futile battle of the Boer War. We will ascend the hill and walk in the footsteps of three men who took part in the battle and |
| Day 11 | A day to relax by the pool or enjoy one of the activities. |
| Day 12 | We take our leave of Spion Kop and drive to Johannesburg. Time permitting we will visit the highly impressive Voortrekker Memorial in Pretoria before returning to the airport for our return flight. |
| Day 13 | Arrive London for flight to Belfast. |
Call or email for 2011 dates and prices. Group tours tailored to your needs
The tour numbers are restricted to sixteen so early booking is advised. The tour as detailed above is flexible and can be altered to suit your particular requirements. For those wishing to extend their holiday by game viewing, golfing in Sun City or relaxing by the Indian Ocean please contact us for options.
Prices from £1499.00
Download a booking form here
THE ABOVE TOUR IS AN EXAMPLE AND MAY BE ALTERED AS CIRCUMSTANCES DICTATE