Yesterday, Durban's Saturday newspaper 'The Independent' carried a report on the forthcoming 175th Anniversary on 24 May of an event that had a profound affect on the later history of Natal. Parts of this report have been copied below:
The most significant result of this very small Anglo-Boer War was the proclamation in May 1843 of Natal as a British Colony, and the posting in its capital, Pietermaritzburg, of the first permanent British garrison, the 45th Regiment of Foot. The subsequent garrison regiments, and many others, would fight in three wars in Natal - the Anglo-Zulu War (1879), the 1st and 2nd Anglo-Boer Wars (1880-81 & 1899-1902). They helped to imbue Natal with British culture and traditions, which, with the exception of Rhodesia, was unique in southern Africa, and which, sadly for some of us, is now fading away.
Brett
The most significant result of this very small Anglo-Boer War was the proclamation in May 1843 of Natal as a British Colony, and the posting in its capital, Pietermaritzburg, of the first permanent British garrison, the 45th Regiment of Foot. The subsequent garrison regiments, and many others, would fight in three wars in Natal - the Anglo-Zulu War (1879), the 1st and 2nd Anglo-Boer Wars (1880-81 & 1899-1902). They helped to imbue Natal with British culture and traditions, which, with the exception of Rhodesia, was unique in southern Africa, and which, sadly for some of us, is now fading away.
Brett
