The little known battle which would secure the Cape for Britain for 120 years

Cape Town became involved in the Napoleonic Wars in 1806 when Britain invaded the country for the second time. Britain had previously held the Cape from 1795, but the treaty of Amiens forced them to return it to the Batavian Republic in 1802.

A force of nearly 6000 men led by Lt-Gen Sir David Baird, transported in a fleet of 63 ships under Captain Sir Home Riggs Popham, landed at Losperds Bay on 6 January 1806. The following battle at nearby Blaauwberg Hill would secure the Cape for the next 120 years.

Lost in history for nearly 200 years, this short but influential battle has been brought to life thanks to a handful of local enthusiasts backed by the City of Cape Town.

Presenter:

Dave Honour was born in Sussex in 1959 and moved to Durban South Africa in 1995. An Engineer by trade he became involved in leading trails in nature reserves as a hobby, becoming an Honorary Officer in the Natal Parks Board and eventually a professional Field Guide. His interest in battlefield guiding came from taking trips to Anglo-Zulu and Boer War locations, learning from renowned guide Anthony Coleman. David moved to Cape Town in 2015 and became the main guide for the Battle of Blaauwberg site.