Besieged British army
The town was divided into four zones of protection, with the regiments allocated as follows:
ZONE A: Commanded by Colonel W.G. Knox CB it extended from Helpmekaar Ridge to Junction Hill. It was manned by one company 1st Battalion Devonshires, one company mounted and seven companys of unmounted the 1st Battalion Liverpool regiment, two companys of 1st Battalion Gloucester regiment, one half a company of 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the 13th Battery Royal Field Artillery. Weaponary consisted of 2 Maxim Nordenfelt and 2 Hotchkiss guns both of which belonged to the 13th Battery Royal Field Artillery.
ZONE B: Commanded by Major General F. Howard, it covered the area north from Gordon Hill to Observation Hill, where the 5th Lancers had built a dummy gun. The perimeter then extended southeast to Kings Post, Ration Post and across the Klip River to Rifleman’s Post. The area included Cove Redoubt and Leicester Post and was manned by six companys of infantry from 1st and 2nd Battalions Kings Royal Rifles, 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion Leicester regiment and the 69th Battery Royal Field Artillery.
ZONE C: Commanded by Colonel Ian Hamilton extended from Flagstone Spruit through Range Post, Highlander Post, Hussar Post, Maiden Castle, Rileman’s Post and then across to Platrand, Wagon Hill and Caesar’s Camp. These posts were manned by one company 1st Battalion Manchester regiment, one company 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, one hundred Imperial Light Horse, three companys 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles, two companys 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, one Squadron 18th Hussars, two Squadrons 19th Hussars, some Natal Naval Volunteers and the 42nd Battery Royal Field Artillery.
ZONE D: Commanded by Colonel W. Royston, it formed the eastern area from Platrand to Cemetery Hill, including Devons Post, and comprised detachments from the Natal Volunteers with some artillery.
CAVALRY: Under the command of Major-General J.F. Brocklehurst was held in reserve and comprised 5th Dragoon Guards, 5th Lancers, 18th Hussars, 19th Hussars and the remaining Natal Volunteers not allocated to Royston. Included in this unit were three companys of Gordon Highlanders and the 21st, 53rd and 67th Batteries Royal Field Artillery. Major-General J.F. Brocklehurst succeeded General French as Commander of the cavalry when French was ordered out on the last train that left Ladysmith.
Also in the town were Royal Engineers with their communications, Royal Navy, Royal Army Medical Corp, Town Guard and the Army Service Corps.
