TOPIC:

Site of the Battle of Modder River on 28 November 1899. The British column under Lord Methuen that was attempting to relieve Kimberley faced the Boers under General Piet Cronjé and managed to force the Boers to retreat north to Magersfontein but suffered heavy casualties.


Bacon's overview of the battle

The battle of Modder River is known in Afrikaans as Slag van die Twee Riviere, the 'Battle of the two rivers'.


Where the two rivers join

Map of the engagement from the Time History

Some time ago, C Rose posted some pictures of the blockhouse at Modder River.

When I was last there, there was a Rice-pattern blockhouse too.

The settlement at Modder River began shortly after the railway line reached there in 1885. By the outbreak of the ABW there were at least six hotels which catered for travellers and Kimberley residents.

Built in 1897, The Crown and Royal Hotel is the sole survivor.

It was used as the HQ for the Kimberley Relief Column after the battle of Modder River and until the relief of Kimberley. After Magersfontein, British wounded were accommodated here.

Residents included Roberts, Kitchener, French, Haig, and Kipling.






Officers on the hotel verandah

This map nicely shows the relationship between Modder River and Magersfontein.