British infantry in the Transvaal, 1880

Photograph, Transvaal War, South Africa (1880-1881).

In April 1877 the British annexed the Transvaal, arguing that this would encourage stability and economic growth, including development of its diamond deposits. But the Boers there rebelled in December 1880, going on to inflict several stringing defeats on British forces. The Boer successes eventually led to the Transvaal regaining its independence.

From an album of 100 photographs taken by H F Gros, 1880 (c).