Colenso

Colenso - KwaZulu Natal South Africa

The town of Colenso in KwaZulu Natal South Africa is situated on the banks of the Tugela River and surrounded by the Drakensberg foothills, Colenso was known as Commando Drift before being renamed in honour of the first Bishop of Natal. John William Colenso was a missionary who translated the New Testament into Zulu.

Colenso Museums

R.E Stevenson Museum(Old Toll House):
Erected in 1879 as the house of the Bulwer Bridge. The military historian Dr R.E. Stevenson made a study of the Battles fought in and around Colenso during the Anglo-Boer War. Obtain the key from the police station next door.

Colenso Monuments & Memorials

• Ambleside Military Cemetery:
  Many of the men who fell in the Battle of Colenso, during the Anglo- Boer War, particularly the Irish regiments, are buried here.Take the Weenen/ Colenso off ramp from the R103 (approaching from Estcourt) and turn left to Winterton. Follow the signs to the cemetery. Open daily.
• Armoured Train Cemetery: It was near this site that Winston Churchill was captured by Boer forces, who derailed the armoured observation train which he was travelling. A plaque just off the road records the event and the cemetery set among trees. Off the R103 near Frere. Signposted
• Chieveley Military Cemetery:
  Here Lt. Freddy Roberts, the son of Lord Roberts, lies buried. He was posthumously awarded the VC. Follow the dirt road past the railway station to the cemetery set among trees. Off the R103 from Estcourt to Colenso. Open daily
• Clouston Garden of Remembrance:
  Many of the Memorials and graves from the Battle of Colenso have been moved to the Clouston Garden of Rembrance. This site was General Bullers headquarters during the Battle of Colenso. There were a number of brigade hospitals here during the battle to which the wounded were brought. The graves of many of the men killed on the 15 December and Thukela Heights battles are found in this garden.

Accommodation in and around Kwazulu Natal