After the Battle of Colenso on 15 December 1899, the 1st Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers withdrew to Frere where they remained until 10 January 1900. Although they were on active service and despite having suffered a recent defeat, a period of inactivity followed for General Sir Redvers Buller’s army. The Inniskillings therefore prepared for Christmas. A newspaper correspondent described the camp as having ‘the appearance and spirit of a fair’.