Life at Melrose House during the war Even before May 1899, when it became apparent that war was a real possibility, people began to leave the South African Republic for Natal and the Cape Colony. However, the main exodus from the South African Republic only took place in August 1899 when war clouds were gathering. Some gentlemen sent their wives and children to the safety of the two British colonies, staying behind to look after their business interests. George Heys, owner of Melrose House, sent his wife to live with relatives in Durban - the Heys children meanwhile were at school in London. After the fall of Pretoria, Lord Roberts, who then was Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in South Africa, initially stayed at the British Residency in Rissik Street, Sunnyside. However, he soon moved residence to Melrose House which then became the Imperial Headquarters in South Africa. Instructions determining the strategy of the British forces were issued from there for the remainder of the war. During the time of the occupation of his house, George Heys lived with friends up the street from Melrose House. On 25 October 1900 Roberts proclaimed the annexation of the Transvaal. At the end of November of that year he handed over power to Lord Kitchener to do the tidying up of the war. Kitchener also used Melrose House as his residence and headquarters - his office was situated in the morning room - and ran the house with strict military discipline. A few months after the war ended, the British evacuated Melrose House. The Heys family then returned to their home and George Heys took up his business pursuits again. After the war, the family was compensated by the British authorities for the use of their home during the war.