Lancaster Hill
11-12 December 1900
The hill overlooking Vryheid was occupied by 900 men of the Lancaster Regt who fortified the position with trenches and gun positions. During the night of 11-12 December 1900 Boers of Gen Louis Botha’s second invasion force attacked the position but after fierce fighting were driven off having inflicting some serious casualties on the British including Lt Col Gawne the commanding officer.
Self guided trail with brochure. Part of Vryheid Nature Reserve.
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It is a pity that this site (and reserve) are so neglected. There is hardly any signposting in the town (Vryheid) and no-one we asked for directions knew about it! We were there on a weekend so perhaps tourist information might have helped us if it was a weekday, but still – some roads signs would have been enough. Then there is no sign post on the dirt road in the park to the monument. The inscription is in need of restoration. It’s an interesting site and a beautiful location. It deserves more TLC.
My brother and I lived in Vryhreid for about 17 years, although we when to broading school in Estcourt
We used to hike up the hill quite often to go to the the battle site.
If I remember the was a grave there for the Lt Colonel
That was about some 60 years ago.