The British attack in the battle of Colenso

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The British attack in the battle of Colenso

During Anglo-Boer War 2, the British troops under General Redvers Buller launched a frontal attack in the Battle of Colenso with the intention to relieve the besieged town of Ladysmith. This purpose was not realised and as a result the British lost over 1,100 men, including Lieutenant Freddy Roberts, only son of Field-Marshal Lord Frederick Roberts. Eight Boers died and thirty were wounded. This third straight defeat of British troops, which began at Stormberg on December 10, brings the Black Week to an end.

How we know this

01SA National Museum of Military History. (1999). Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902, Johannesburg: The Museum.
02Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). The British attack in the battle of Colenso. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011192

South African History Online (2011) 'The British attack in the battle of Colenso', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011192 (Accessed: 12 October 2026).

South African History Online, The British attack in the battle of Colenso [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011192, (accessed 12 October 2026).

"The British attack in the battle of Colenso." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011192. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "The British attack in the battle of Colenso." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011192.