This presentation, given by the President of the Royal Philatelic Society London Richard Stock FRPSL, is on Anglo Boer War Postal History, featuring the Republican invasion of Natal and the siege of Ladysmith.
War was declared on 10th October 1899 and numerically superior Boer Forces from the Transvaal and Orange Free State invaded Natal from the north on 11th October 1899, crossing the Drakensberg Mountains in three places. Although successful at Talana and Elandslaagte, British Forces retreated towards Ladysmith, leaving the Boer Commandos to occupy the towns of Glencoe, Newcastle and Dundee. Ladysmith was surrounded on 1st November and Boer forces penetrated as far as Colenso, nearly 90 miles into Natal. The presentation features items of postal history, including the various metal date stamps used at the time.
The siege of Ladysmith began on 1st November 1899, when the town was surrounded by Boer forces. The British garrison comprised 12,000 troops. Col. Yule’s column had retreated to Ladysmith from Dundee on 26th October 1899. Arrangements for handling mail before, during and after the siege are described.