NAM.1967-05-68-1

The Advance of French’s Cavalry Brigade to Relieve Kimberley, 13 February 1900. Oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right ‘G D Giles 1901’, by Godfrey Douglas Giles (1857-1941), 1901. During the Boer War (1899-1902), in the opening of their offensive against the British in October 1899, Boer forces besieged the town of Kimberley in Cape Colony. A relief column commanded by Lord Methuen moved to its relief in November, but was defeated by the Boers in the ensuing battles of the Modder River and Magersfontein. Finally on 13 February 1900, a cavalry brigade commanded by French seized the crossings of the Modder River, a major obstacle to the British advance. The Boers who attempted to harass the brigade's advance were driven off by Horse Artillery, depicted here. French entered Kimberley on 15 February 1900. The artist accompanied French's brigade as a ‘special’ for ‘The Graphic’. (See also 1967-05-67)

Kimberley, Siege of, 1900 (Boer War 1899-1902)