NAM.2017-09-7-61-73

Photograph of four officers posing on horseback and holding up their polo mallets, alongside another officer on horseback in uniform, probably taken in Harrismith, South Africa, during the Boer War, 1901-1902. They are likely to be from the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, who were based there with Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Rundle's 8th Infantry Division. Lots of other horses and men can be seen behind them. The polo players are wearing riding breeches and boots, light-coloured shirts and pith helmets. The officer to the side of them is wearing his khaki tunic with riding breeches and boots and peaked cap. The territory around Harrismith served as a major site for the British Army encampment and a temporary Boer Prisoner of War (POW) camp established around 1900/1901. The town became the strategic operations and supply base for the 8th Infantry Division for the remainder of the conflict. From a photograph album of 111 photographs entitled '2nd Battalion 1897-1909', relating to the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards in the UK, South Africa and Gibraltar from 1897 to 1909. Mostly group photos and individual portraits.

Boer War (1899-1902)