Talk:Battle of Colenso

A Tribute to Frederick Hugh Sherston Roberts

MR JOHN GILMARTIN of Shakespeare Road on 29/11/74 aged 95 1879 - 1975 Born 1879 joined the army at age 17 he served in the Artillery Corps during the Boer War and First World War, with a certificate of discharge from 1909 and 1919. He was awarded the South African Star, during the Boer War. Mr Gilmartin remembers a lengthy poem which was popular amongst the solders during the Boer War.

A Tribute to Frederick Hugh Sherston Roberts

On the fifteenth of December in the year of ‘99
We tried to drive the Boers my lads from off Colenso line
We had to cross a river deep Tugela was its name
And the General in command of us was Buller of great fame
Here’s to the good old Dublin’s the brave old Connaught’s too
The bonny border regiment and Enniskillen’s too
Side by side we fought and died each man behind his pal
We were fighting for old England’s honours and the border of Natal
The Dublin’s they pressed forward at a slow but steady pace
The Connaught’s close behind them stare but every face
The Border lads were close at hand and the Enniskillen’s too
And then those four brave old gallant corps showed the Boars what they could do
The Boers replied with shot and shell that scattered for miles around
While many a brave young Irish lad lay moaning on the ground
Suddenly an awful roar was heard upon are right
Our naval guns had opened fire and that began the fight
We’ve lost a brave young hero General Roberts was his name
He was killed trying to save our naval guns on that memorable day
Down towards Tugela banks and rivers we slowly made our way
For it was a sad memorable sight that was seen that day
That night the moon in silver red shone down upon the ground
And kissed the cold lips of those whose last resting place was found.