The Boer War was sandwiched between the Crimean and the First World War, it was for the British Army at once the last of the Gentleman's Wars with courtesies and chivalrous exchanges passing between opposing commanders and the first of modern wars with a foreshadowing of that ruthlessness implicit in the use of arms of precision. But for the lessons it taught, 1914 might have ended in a military defeat.

Into battle -- Belmont -- Modder River -- Magersfontein -- Colenso -- Spion Kop.