The Royal New South Wales Lancers

 
 
Elandts River Union Jack
 
 

The siege of Ellands River lasted from 4th to 17th August 1900, during the Boer War, Australia's first but its "forgotten" war.

It was the first time Australian (and Rhodesian) Colonial Volunteers fought the Boers WITHOUT British support - or, perhaps, interference. Surrounded by a far stronger force of Boers commanded by the Boers most successful commander, Koos de la Rey, written off by the British, the little garrison hung on against all odds until eventually relieved - a triumph of discipline, determination and courage.

The flag remains a mystery. First-hand accounts of the siege talk of the garrison running up Union Jacks, promptly shot down by the Boers. Was this one of those hand-made flags, or just a wartime souvenir, presented to (indecipherable) E Cochrane, for some reason? Any thoughts or ideas, please, to Ian Hawthorn, Vice-President, NSW Lancers' Memorial Museum.

Ian Hawthorn, 2020


© New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum Incorporated ABN 94 630 140 881; Linden House, Lancer Barracks, 2 Smith Street, PARRAMATTA, AUSTRALIA
Postal Address: PO Box 7287, PENRITH SOUTH NSW 2750, AUSTRALIA; Telephone: +61 (0)405 482 814 Email:
Click to contact
website designed and maintained by cibaweb Site Disclaimer

go to top of page

Find and compare hotels near The Royal New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum through HotelsCombined for the cheapest rates.


 
Image loading please wait
Donate to the Museum
Image loading please wait Like us on Facebook RUSI of NSW The NSW Lancers Museum acknowledges Vergola for their generous assistance