Major General Sir George Pomeroy Colley , who is linked to the main Irish branch of the family, died at the Battle of Majuba during the First South African War on 27th February 1881. Although the British forces consisted of fewer than 500 men, the defeat, atop a hill seen as virtually impregnable, proved to be the turning point in the conflict. Military historians note that Majuba was the last occasion British regimental 'colours' were carried into battle. General Sir Ian Hamilton, who went on the lead the Gallipoli landings in 1915, fought in the battle as a Lieutenant and a key outcrop held by members of the 92nd Highlanders is now known as Gordons' Knoll from the name the regiment adopted shortly afterwards. A detailed description of the campaign in South Africa gives wide-ranging background including details of the battle , the battlefield as it appears today and an account of the First War of Independence from the Boer viewpoint .
Modern visitors can take in the site as part of an aerial tour of South African battle sites .
A biography of Pomeroy-Colley was written by Lieutenant General Sir William Butler and published in 1899 by John Murray in London. Laurence H. Pomeroy was a famous motor engineer whose name is still revered by enthusiasts. In Edwardian times, when there were 30 motor vehicle producers in Coventry in the English Midlands alone, Laurence Pomeroy senior worked for Vauxhall and Daimler. He began work at Vauxhall in 1908 and earned instant fame by redesigning its main racer which promptly swept the board the following year. He spent some time in the USA during the 'twenties and experimented with lightweight cars.