NAM.2017-09-7-61-75

Photograph of the beginning (or a pause) in a polo match, probably in Harrismith, South Africa, during the Boer War, 1901-1902. The two teams face each other on horseback whilst another officer stands in the middle holding the rein of his horse. At least some of the officers playing are likely to be from the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, who were based there with Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Rundle's 8th Infantry Division. There are mountains in the background (possibly the Platberg). 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)