Wagon Hill overlooks the town of Ladysmith.  This was under Boer siege at the beginning of the Boer War, between the 2nd November 1899 and 28th February 1900.

On the 6th January 1900 the Boers launched a major attack on british positions on the hill.  After desperate fighting all day the Boers were forced to withdraw.  Around 175 British soldiers were killed, and many of them are buried in this cemetery.  32 were members of the 1st Battalin.

This was the battle in which James Pitts and Robert Scott won the Victoria Cross.