This work is a reference for military information regarding opposing forces and other key features of war. The handbook supplies detail on subjects including: the Boer forces; the British Army; the Royal Navy; the battles, deployment and reorganization of forces; decorations and medals; casualties and war graves; black, Indian and coloured participation; blockhouses and concentration camps; and accoutrements and cost of the war.

At the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Boer War on 11 October 1899, approximately 25,000 Boers invaded the British colony of Natal from the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek and the Orange Free State. The colony was the scene of some of the most important battles of the war, as well as the Siege of Ladysmith which lasted for 118 days. In addition to maps and details of the locations of the various sites, this guide provides a brief insight into the most significant battles and events in the area. Information is also given about concentration camps, hospitals, memorials and graves, together with clear directions to places listed in the text. The maps have been specially drawn for this publication and many of the photographs were published for the first time in the first edition of this book.