TOPIC:

The Rangworthy Hills are 20 miles south west of Ladysmith. They are also known as Tabanyama.


In January 1900 they represented the extreme right of the Boer line opposing Buller's relief efforts. Warren decided that both Spion Kop and Rangeworty would need to be taken.

Stott takes up the story: On the same day [Tuesday 16 Jan 1900] General Sir Charles Warren moved westwards with a strong force, and commenced crossing the river by a pontoon bridge, constructed by the Royal Engineers, at Triegardt's Drift, which was seven miles from Potgieter's Drift. The crossing was successfully performed, and by Thursday the whole column was across and moving towards Acton Homes. The cavalry under Lord Dundonald had gone forward, and on Thursday attacked a strong party of Boers to the west of Acton Homes, driving them from their position, killing and wounding 20, and taking 15 prisoners. It was on Saturday, however, when the actual fighting commenced. General Hart, with the Infantry Brigade, moved out at an early hour and attacked the Boers on the Rangeworthy Ridges to the north-east of Acton Homes. A most stubborn resistance was made by the Boers, but they were gradually beaten back, being shelled with a furious cannonade of artillery while the infantry were advancing. The Dublin Fusiliers captured Three Tree Hill at the point of the bayonet; the South African Light Horse were instrumental in the capture of Bastion Hill; and other positions were also gallantly taken by the remaining infantry. As night fell it found the British infantry far advanced into the Boer lines, and as they lay down in the enemy's trenches the Boers sniped at them by moonlight. It had been a hard day's work, and they had been badly off for drinking water, but it was only the commencement of a five days' continuous battle in which many lives were lost.