Lord Roberts of Kandahar: Commander-in-Chief in South Africa

Field Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar, V.C.
Photograph by Bassano
From: H. W. Wilson, With the Flag to Pretoria, 1902

Field Marshall Lord Roberts of Kandahar,
V.C., K.G., K.P., G.C.B., O.M., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E.
Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, 1900.

After the disastrous actions in the Boer war in South Africa in December 1899 at Magersfontein, Stormberg and Colenso, where his only son was killed, Lord Roberts was sent out to South Africa as Commander-in-Chief. He arrived at Cape Town on the 10th of January 1900, and after organizing his force, advanced with sound strategy on Bloemfontein, the capital of the Orange Tree State, and soon changed the aspect of affairs. The sieges of Kimberley and Ladysmith were raised, and the Boer general Cronje, flying towards the capital, was overtaken at Paardeberg and, after a fine defence, compelled to surrender, with 5000 men. on the anniversary of Majuba Day, the 27th of February 1900. Roberts entered Bloemfontein on the 13th of March, and after six weeks' preparation, advanced on Pretoria, the capital of the Transvaal. Mafeking was relieved on the 17th of May, and Pretoria occupied on the 5th of June. The two Boer states were annexed, and the war gradually assuming a guerilla character, Roberts handed over the command to Lord Kitchener and returned to England to fill the office of Commander-in-Chief of the Army in succession to Lord Wolseley.

Adapted from the Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, 1910-1911.

		Background and a short Biography of Lord Roberts of Kandahar.

		In his autobiography, Forty-One Years in India, London, 1897, Lord Roberts recounts the Siege of Delhi (1857) during the Indian Mutiny (Chapters XIII through XIX).

		Lord Roberts was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in the face of the enemy while serving as a Lieutenant in the Bengal Horse Artillery (Indian Army) during the Indian Mutiny. The Victoria Cross is Britain's highest award for gallantry. In 1899, his son, Frederick Hugh Sherston Roberts, was awarded the V.C. posthumously for his actions at the Battle of Colenso during the South African War.

		Over his long military career, Lord Roberts was recognized with the highest honours and decorations of England and the British Empire.

		Perspectives on the South African War. A collection of links to primary and contemporary resources on the war in South Africa.

Return to the Pine Tree Web Home Page

Your feedback, comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Please write to: Lewis P. Orans