Themes
The Navy's People
Learning
Edward Pitcairn Jones
Article highlights
-
Naval Brigades and the Boer War
Naval Brigades and the Boer War
Britain fought the Boer War against the Dutch settlers, or 'Boers', in South Africa. South Africa in particular was a territory rich in gold, which made it highly desirable to the British.
The Boers put up formidable resistance and the Army needed the help of naval brigades. Jones was involved when the Boers were advancing towards Durban, with the majority of the British Forces besieged in Ladysmith.
Illustration: Hauling a naval gun into position at Colenso. (RNM)
A large naval brigade made up of men from HM ships Terrible, Forte, Tartar, Thetis and Philomel landed initially to defend Durban and the surrounding area.
Naval Captain Percy Scott of HMS Terrible then realised that his ship's large 12-pound guns had a longer range than the Boer's siege guns at Ladysmith.
Scott devised mountings for the guns so that oxen could transport the guns across the difficult terrain.
In November the Ladysmith Relief Column began to advance with the naval brigade under Captain Edward Pitcairn Jones of the Forte carrying two 4.7-inch and 18 naval long 12-pound guns.
