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A Natal Naval Volunteer in the Relief of Ladysmith - Alfred Hanson 4 years 4 months ago #72767
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Alfred Hanson
Gunner, Natal Naval Volunteers – Anglo Boer War - Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith to A Hanson, Gnr. Natal Naval Vols. Alfred Hanson was born in Horton, Vestfold, Norway on 10 April 1869. His early years are shrouded in mystery but, at some point in the last quarter of the 19th century, he journeyed to Durban in the Colony of Natal where he took up residence. What his original occupation was we don’t know but he soon obtained a position as one of the European Constables charged with the responsibility of keeping the streets of Durban safe. As was almost required of young men in Victorian times, Hanson joined a local militia unit, in his instance, living at a sea-faring port, he chose the Natal Naval Volunteers and was soon put to work attending drills and practice shoots on the Bluff, the rocky outcrop of land that dominates the Durban landscape. Mustered as a Gunner, he would have lobbed many a shot into the waters off the harbour entrance to the City as part of the gunnery training the men were required to undergo. In October 1899 the southern part of Africa found itself embroiled in a war between the two Dutch-speaking republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, and the might of Great Britain. Natal was a British Colony and it was incumbent upon those in uniform to serve the cause of the Empire. to this end, the Natal Naval Volunteers were called out on 29 September 1899, almost two weeks before the Boers crossed the Natal border in a two-pronged approach – over the Drakensberg mountains by the Free State Commandos and, via Vryheid in Northern Natal, by the Transvaal Burghers. The very next day, Lieutenant J. E. Anderton, with 30 P.O.s and men, two guns, 200 rounds ammunition each, 3,300 rounds of -303 in reserve, and 90 rounds per man, left for Colenso. Lieutenant Chiazzari, with 15 men, and 9-pounder, went to Estcourt—all with ten days’ provisions. They were, as events would show, to become part of General Buller’s Relief force – intent on lifting the siege the Boers had placed Ladysmith under with effect from 1 November 1899. The remaining 62 members of the N.N.V. – the total muster was 123 – left on 1 October for Ladysmith, under Commander Tatum where, unbeknown to them at that point, they would soon be among the number of besieged in the town. On the arrival of Lieutenant Anderton at Colenso on 1 October, with his small detachment, he was directed to join up with the Durban Light Infantry, and they at once began to erect fortifications, one above the railway bridge, which they named Fort Wylie, and the other to the south of the town, which they called Fort Nicholson. Anderton and his men, of whom Hanson was one, remained at Colenso for over a month, when he and 47 men were detailed to escort the men from “Powerful” into Ladysmith, returning to Colenso thereafter. 
On 2 November the Boers started shelling the town, having occupied the adjacent hills and having brought up a number of field guns, which from the heights commanded the position and rendered it untenable. It was decided to evacuated the place, and instructions for a hasty retirement were issued, including orders to the N.N.V. to spike their guns and leave them and the ammunition behind. This instruction was disobeyed and, instead, the N.N.V. opened rapid fire on the enemy, who came to a sudden halt, not being prepared for such a warm welcome, and during the brief pause the guns were taken out at the back of the fort, rushed down the hill, and hauled by drag ropes back to safety. The two parties under Anderton and Chiazzari next joined forces at Estcourt and subsequently went to Frere, the base of Buller’s operations where, on 9 December, they joined the Nava Brigade under Captain Jones of the H.M.S. Forte. Buller had arrived at Frere on 6 December and the next few days were spent assembling forces and preparing for the one of the many attacks made to relieve Ladysmith. He had at his disposal 16 000 troops, besides artillery. The naval guns formed the central battery, being composed of two 4.7 and four 12-pounders. The N.N.V. were attached to the 4,7 guns. On the 15th December the disastrous battle of Colenso commenced, and at 3.30 the naval guns moved forward to take up their allotted positions, ready to cover the general advance, and at 5.30 they opened fire with shrapnel and lyddite, searching the river banks and adjacent hills, but the Boers withheld their fire till the infantry had advanced into their effective zone. The work of the corps and, more particularly the role played by the N.N.V. in the battle is best described in General Buller’s despatch, after the affair, it read, in part, as follows: “Throughout the day two 4.7 guns (N.N.V.) and 12-punder naval guns under Captain Jones were being admirably served, and succeeded in silencing every one of the enemies’ guns they could locate.” After the repulse at Colenso Buller had to wait for reinforcements, and the 5th Division, under General Warren, was sent to augment his army. Nevertheless, the naval battery, which had been moved to Chieveley and occupied the most advanced position, was constantly in action, and was given the work of destroying the road bridge over the Tugela River, which was in constant use by the Boers. This was done at a range of 7 660 yards, the two 4.7 guns vying with each other to have the honour of demolishing it. After both guns had scored one or two direct hits a shell finally struck one of the supporting piers and completed the work, the whole structure crashing to the ground. On 20 December the N.N.V. were put in sole charge of the two 4.7 guns, with which they did some excellent work. The second attempt to relieve Ladysmith ended in the Spioenkop debacle. The forcing of the Tugela by a frontal attack at Colenso having proved an almost impossible task with the forces at his disposal, Buller next selected a spot 15 miles to the west for his attack, and his army, now reinforced, trekked westward via Springfield. 
The naval battery proceeded slowly owing to difficulty of transporting the heavy guns, but on 12 January they reached Mount Alice, which rises 1000 feet above the Tugela, and from which Mbulwana Hill could be seen. The spasmodic puffs of smoke on its summit told the relieving column that Long Tom was hurling its messengers of death into Ladysmith, only 20 miles away. From their vantage point the 4.7 guns had a commanding view of the Tugela valley, and the river, which proved such a formidable barrier to the relieving force, could be seen for many miles winding its way between the koppies. Spioenkop, rising 1500 feet, lay well within the range of the naval guns in a northerly direction, and at its foot the Tugela forms a loop with Potgieter’s Ferry. The Natal Naval Volunteers who had remained with the 4.7 guns (and were not part of Lieutenant Chiazzari’s efforts to build a pontoon), now took part in the bombardment of Spioenkop, the Brakfontein positions, and the Boer entrenchments wherever visible, chiefly using lyddite and shrapnel shells. The Spioenkop operations lasted 12 days, the withdrawal having been completed by 27 January. The third operation was directed with the object of taking Vaal Krantz, which, if successful, would expose the Boer positions at Brakfontein to an outflanking attack from the east, and with Brakfontein in British hands Spioenkop would become untenable and would necessitate that portion of the Boers defence. For these operations which commenced on 5 February 1900, one 4,7 was moved to Signal Hill, the other remaining on Mount Alice, to cover the left flank of the attacking force. Fire was opened early and was kept up all day, and in the evening the two 4.7. guns were directed to reply to the guns on Spioenkop. This they did with good effect, two being hit and the remainder being silenced. The following day the 4.7 stationed on Signal Hill, under Lieutenant Anderton, by a lucky shot, exploded one of the Boer heavy gun magazines, which out their gun out of action for some hours until more ammunition could be brought up. A retirement was ordered on 9 February and the guns taken back to Chieveley. His first three attempts at relief having failed, Buller decided to make his next move via Hussar Hill, then rounding Green Hill, to leave Monte Christo on the right, and cross the Tugela by pontoon just below the right angle bend beneath Colenso. On the 19th the N.N.V. were withdrawn from the naval battery and given two 4.7 guns on fixed platforms, with Lieutenant Anderton in command. These guns were mounted on Gun Hill, some 8 000 yards from where the Tugela passes Colenso, and from that position they were able to do most useful work. Two days later came the joyful news that the enemy were in retreat, and the guns were brought forward and mounted on Hlangwane. This had to be carried out at night and any attempt to light a lantern always resulted in the Boers snipers springing into action. Nevertheless, by dint of hard work, the guns were hoisted into position, and were ready to take part in the fight on Majuba Day, the 27th February. The dawn following this great attack revealed the enemies evacuated positions, and Lord Dundonald was able to ride and enter Ladysmith that evening. Ladysmith had been relieved and the N.N.V. men were reunited with their comrades who had been caught up in the siege. The corps then continued with Buller as he swept northwards through the Biggarsberg, Dundee and Newcastle until the Boers had finally been expelled from Natal. Hanson who had been a Gunner all this while, took his discharge from the N.N.V. in April 1901 and, for him, the war was over. For his efforts he was awarded the Queens Medal with clasps Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith. Perhaps it was whilst he was in and around the Colenso that Hanson met and married the woman of his dreams – tying the knot with Mary Adam, a 22 year old lady from that town, at the Mutual Hall on 19 December 1900. He was 28 at the time. Having returned to his civilian occupation, Hanson and his wife set about the raising of a family. Two children were born to the couple – Catherine May on 6 October 1901 and James Royal on 24 May 1905. Things didn’t appear to work out for the Hanson’s – Alfred passed away at the age of 82 on 16 August 1951. He was described as a Night Watchman at the firm of Ellis-Brown Ltd., Coffee Manufacturers in Durban. He had passed away at home, 14 Lancaster Road in Durban and was a Divorcee. 
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A Natal Naval Volunteer in the Relief of Ladysmith - Alfred Hanson 4 years 4 months ago #72770
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A Natal Naval Volunteer in the Relief of Ladysmith - Alfred Hanson 4 years 4 months ago #72771
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A Natal Naval Volunteer in the Relief of Ladysmith - Alfred Hanson 4 years 4 months ago #72800
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