TOPIC:

Brett,
Rorke's Drift offset the disaster of Islandwana but not even the eventual relief of Ladysmith could relieve the pain of Spioenkop.
Was there ever a film made about Spioenkop?
Maybe Frank can answer on any celebrations in Lancashire?

regards Iain

Brett Hendey wrote: Apart from possible difficulties in negotiating the access road, a visit to Spioenkop is well worth it. Like Wagon Hill, it has remained unspoiled because it is not easily accessible to the people who are a plague on other Natal and Zululand battlefields.

Interestingly, through my limited use of the Internet, I have recently seen several reports in the British press on the anniversaries of the Battle of Rorke's Drift and the release of the film, 'Zulu', but nothing about the Battle of Spioenkop. I wonder if the battle is still commemorated somewhere in Lancashire?

Brett

LOL Iain,
No, Anfield Rd was never decorated with anything from the battlefield,
just the name of one of the stands, the Scottish Rifles were engaged on the Kop and this was found on the surface of the plateau, seems so long ago now.
Regards Frank

Frank,
I've never been in the Kop, the Stretford End, yes.
I did pass by many years ago and see the "Spioen Kop" sign outside and at the time wonder why?
You are very lucky to have a SR badge from the actual battlesite, nice one!

regards, Iain

Frank Kelley wrote: LOL Iain,
No, Anfield Rd was never decorated with anything from the battlefield,
just the name of one of the stands, the Scottish Rifles were engaged on the Kop and this was found on the surface of the plateau, seems so long ago now.
Regards Frank

Hello Iain,
It was a bad week for Lancashire, so many wifes, children and parents were soon to receive the worst possible news, so a stand at Anfield Rd was named the Kop in rememberance.
Regards Frank

Frank

Your Scottish Rifles badge is a great relic from the battle and you are indeed fortunate to have it. The man who lost it may still be on the hill - a sobering thought!

We are friends of a man who until recently owned the farm on which Spioenkop is located. The farm was acquired by his family in the second half of the 19th Century. After the war, a visitor's book was kept in the farmhouse at the foot of the hill and it is an amazing record of the many people who made the pilgrimage to the battlefield in the years following the war. At that time, the road to the summit was lined with shell fragments collected from the summit and all have since been taken as souvenirs by visitors.

Regards
Brett

Hello Brett,
What strikes me, even to this day, is just how small the plateau actually is, a complete waste of time and a bloody silly place to loose ones life.
I sometimes wish I could go back in time just for a few seconds to visit Buller and scream at him, a la Jeremy Clarkson, "No, you're doing it all wrong, you complete and utter numpty"
Never mind, can't have everything I want!
Kind regards Frank