Kwazulu-Natal, ESTCOURT district, Willow Grange Military, cemetery

Cemetery information:- This site is about 10 km from Escourt. It is located to the left of the N3 to Johannesburg. It can be accessed by a gravel road from the R103 and a bridge which traverses the N3. Arrange visit at Fort Durnford Museum (contact 036 352 3000). Battle of Willow Grange 23 Nov 1899: The thrust to the coast, reinvigorated by the assistance of General Louis Botha, was greatly encouraged by the success at Chieveley on the 15th November. The Boer plan was to demonstrate against Estcourt whilst some 1 000 men under Assistant-General David Joubert passed it to the east through Weenen, and the main body under General Louis Botha passed it to the west through Ulundi farm. These forces were to converge at Highlands, north of Mooi River, and isolate Estcourt by cutting road and railway. On the 19th, Thornycroft’s Horse had a skirmish with David Joubert’s commandos in the vicinity of Highlands. on the afternoon of the 22nd November, a column consisting of the West Yorks. The East Surreys, four companies of the Queen’s, the Durban Light Infantry, the 7th Field Battery and a Naval 12-pounder, marched out of Estcourt past Fort Durnford, past the Red Cutting at Cooper’s Kop, and on to the base of Beacon Hill, about five or six miles out. They were to be followed on the 23rd by the Border Regiment and the Mounted troops. “The Times History” gives the casualties of the action as 16 killed, and about 60 wounded B mostly West York’s. Boer casualties were probably much less. The gallant Louis Botha had his horse shot under him whilst conducting the counter-attack. Mr Chapman, a local farmer, who had guided the night attack bravely and skillfully, was amongst those killed. (source: https://safarikzn.com/the-battle-of-willow-grange/) Album incomplete. eGGSA captions done by: Alex van Niekerk & Wilna Eygelaar Additional information available on the GGSA Cemetery DVD:- Cemetery ID: 1365 Number of names: 12 Information submitted by: Peter and Beverley Moss Google Earth Project Information:- GPSID: 1357 GPS: -29 05.910, 29 55.352