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Neville, I think you are correct. There are several large schantzes south of the main trench, where reinforcements sheltered as there was no room for them in the forward positions, and the approach to the forward positions was swept at close range (200-400m) by concealed Boers on the perimeter to the north and northeast. I wonder if your featture is recogniseable from satellite as A in Google Earth? I have marked other obvious large schantzes on the satellite image. In reality most cover would have been behind the usual small schantzes made of football-sized stones which have fallen down under so many visitors' feet, or large boulders which couldn't be moved into a line under fire.
Both The Times history and the Official History show men sheltering in schantzes south of the main trenches.

I'm finding this thread very interesting gentlemen. Thank you for sharing your knowledge here.

Looking forward to your talk Rob. I've booked an online place.

Ian

Another early photograph.

"SACRED / TO THE / MEMORY OF / THE / OFF’s NCO’s & MEN / OF THE / 2ND BATT. / MIDDLESEX RGT. / KILLED / HERE"




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This photograph seems to predate the one shown above. The shield is yet to be affixed to the Middlesex Regiment cross and he grave fill appears freshly dug.
By contrast, the earth in the image above is compacted, and plants have begun to grow on the grave surface.




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One I haven't come across before.
Photographed by A. Cecil Coyne, Pietermaritzburg.

"Trenches and Graves at Spion Kop - 13"

In the distance, it is just possible to make out a "trench" grave, with a cross and pile of stones at each end (see close-up). This appears to be the feature that Rob discusses HERE.





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Another postcard of Spion Kop monuments, circa 1910.

The photograph posted by David in 2018 shows that little has changed, apart from the addition of two new memorials in the foreground (Welly Hyde's work?), and the repositioning of Lieutenant Trevor's stone on a different alignment. As Rob has mentioned before, all the grave surfaces have been raised (some with concrete capping).





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