Henry Roberts commanded the 2nd Battalion in the Boer War. He was in command on 11 July 1900 when the battalion was attacked by De la Rey and 200 Boers at Silkaatsnek, 27 kilometres west of Pretoria. A squadron of the Scots Grey and the Lincolns were in a U-shaped pass and caught unawares because Roberts had failed to post guards. They were forced to surrender after sustaining heavy casualties; 24 killed, 44 wounded, and 198 taken prisoner including Colonel Roberts.
The Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Roberts censured Colonel Henry Roberts as well as the CO of the Scots Greys, Colonel The Hon. Walter Alexander, who failed to send help from the Greys camp, some distance away. A board of enquiry held at Pretoria on 14 July 1900 reprimanded Roberts for failure to adopt ordinary precautions. Colonel Alexander was also reprimanded, for want of military appreciation of the position and failing to give assistance.
Henry Robert Roberts entered the 10th North Lincolns in 1867 and served in the 1st Battalion. He was appointed Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion on 17 Feb 1897.
1867 Ensign 19 Feb
1871 Lieutenant 15 Feb
1879 Captain 17 May
1885 Major 25 Apr
1896 Lieutenant-Colonel 17 Feb
The photo of Colonel Roberts mounted on his horse is from The Navy & Army Illustrated 15 October 1897.
