The Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers Digging Entrenchments at Orange River, South Africa - The passing of the Armoured Train

British troops dig in during the Boer war campaign

In a desolate landscape British troops from the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers dig in during the Boer War. We know with some precision that this film was taken on the 12th November 1899 by John Benett-Stanford. The Warwick Trading Company catalogue advertising the film pointed out that some of these troops may have been among the 600 missing after the Battle of Stormberg Reverse. The armoured train is said to be heading off to support Colonel Gough's Column at the Battle of Belmont at Kaffir Kop.