Natal Field Force

The Natal Field Force (NFF) was a multi-battalion field force originally formed by Major-General Sir George Pomeroy Colley in Natal for the First Boer War. It was later re-established for the Second Boer War (1899–1902) and commanded by Major-General Sir Redvers Buller (although after the failed attack at Colenso he was replaced as overall commander in South Africa by Lord Roberts).
First Boer War.
The First Boer War broke out in December 1880 with the Boer Commando's in the Transvaal besieging British garrisons there. The Governor of Natal Sir George Pomeroy Colley raised the Natal Field Force which took part in the actions at Laing's Nek, Schuinshoogte and Majuba Hill.
It was composed of:
After Schuinshoogte the NFF was reinforced by 6 companies of the 92nd (Gordon) Highlanders and two squadrons of the 15th (The King's) Hussars.
Second Boer War.
At the outbreak of the Second Boer War General Sir George White was appointed Governor in Chief of Natal, superseding General Sir Penn Symons. Symons had already split his forces chiefly into two garrisons at Ladysmith and Dundee.
Other garrisons.
At Pietermaritzburg:
At Escourt:
At Colenso:
After the battles at Talana Hill and Elandslaagte General White recalled the Dundee garrison and concentrated his forces in defence of Ladysmith.
The Relief of Ladysmith.
During the Second Boer War relief operation of the besieged town of Ladysmith, the NFF comprised:
Cleary's Division.
General Cornelius Francis Clery's (2nd & 3rd) Division although temporarily commanded by Lyttelton for a time due to illness. The 3rd division was General Gatacre's command but most was diverted to Natal leaving him with only two and a half Battalions.
2nd Infantry Brigade commanded by General Sir Henry Hildyard
4th Infantry Brigade initially commanded by General The Hon. Neville Lyttelton and later by Colonel Charles Norcott.
5th Infantry Brigade commanded by General Arthur Fitzroy Hart
6th Infantry Brigade commanded by General Geoffrey Barton
Cavalry Division.
The (ad hoc) Cavalry Division commanded by Colonel Douglas Cochrane, 12th Earl of Dundonald
Artillery.
Artillery commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Charles James Long, RA
1st Brigade Royal Artillery commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Henry Vaughan Hunt, RA
2nd Brigade Royal Artillery commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Lawrence Worthington Parsons, RA
Naval Artillery Brigade commanded by Captain Edward Pitcairn Jones, RN ()
Misc unit's that joined after the battle of Spion Kop
Warren's Division.
General Sir Charles Warren's (5th) Division (later succeeded by Hildyard) joined up with the main body of the force shortly after the Battle of Colenso.
11th Infantry Brigade initially commanded by General Edward Woodgate but he was wounded at Spion Kop and died shortly afterwards. He was succeeded by General Arthur Wynne who was later wounded at the Battle of the Tugela Heights and succeeded by Colonel Walter Kitchener.
10th Infantry Brigade commanded by General John Talbot Coke.
Support troops.
Royal Engineers commanded by Lieutenant-colonel George Hamilton Sim ("may not have been present")