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Anglo Boere Oorlog/Boer War (1899-1902) POW Saint Helena

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Botes, Bronkhorst, Coetzer, de Jager and 16 others
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Profiles

  •
    Jacobus Johannes van der Merwe (1877 - 1948)
    ===Prisoners of War AOB == Added by AR Swanepoel Database ID: 26274 POW Number: 27199 Surname: VAN DER MERWE Name: JACOBUS JOHANNES Age: 23 Address: AVELON District: ROUXVILLE Where Captured: MOHALIES...
  • Hendrik Christoffel van der Merwe (1879 - 1952)
    ===League of Veterans AOB === Added by AR Swanepoel Database ID: 7640 Surname: van der Merwe First Names: Hendrik Christoffel Date of Birth: 2.10.1879 Residence 1899: Oog van Wonderfontein, Bank Last ...
  • Gert Petrus Joachim van der Merwe (1840 - 1920)
    1830 Birth 1830 Gert Petrus Joachim Van Der Merwe (Senior) gebore 1840 en is in 1922 met die dood van sy seun word dit aangewys dat hy oolede is op die ouderdom van 92 jaar, wat teenstrydig is omtrent ...
  • Jan Christoffel van der Merwe (1877 - d.)
    ===League of Veterans AOB === Added by AR Swanepoel Database ID: 8538 Surname: van der Merwe First Names: Jan Christoffel Date of Birth: 12.10.1877 Residence 1899: Witstinkhoudboom, Potchefstroom Last...
  • Daniel Adrian van der Merwe (1879 - 1901)
    ===Prisoners of War Deaths AOB == Added by AR Swanepoel Database ID: 398 Surname: Van der Merwe Name: Daniel Adriaan Date Death: unknown Age: 28 Cause: unknown Number: none Location: St Helena Notes: N/A

The purpose of this project is to gather profiles of these men who are on Geni and to share interesting tales and anecdotes about individuals. Please collaborate...

Saint Helena

Prisoner’s Weekly rations:

5 days a week 1 lb. fresh meat
2 days a weeks 1 lb. preserved meat
Every day 1.25 lbs bread, vegetables, condiments, sugar and coffee

Camps

Approximately 5,866 POW were held in the following camps:

  • Deadwood No.1 The Camp Commandant was Major S.H. Marden. The prisoners were housed mainly in canvas tents, and huts which they later built themselves from biscuit tins.
  • Deadwood No.2 or Peace Camp Set up for prisoners who wanted to return to South Africa and fight for the British.
  • Broad Bottom Established early 1901 after quarrels between Free Staters and Transvaalers. The Camp Commandant was Lieutenant Colonel H.O.P. Wright.
  • High Knoll Fort Recalcitrant or insubordinate prisoners were briefly incarcerated at the Fort
  • Jamestown Some POWs were given permission to work as household servants cooks and grooms, and were allowed to live in the homes. For those not provided for, a two-section camp was built in the Government Gardens and the Botanical Gardens for accommodation at night. The Officer in Charge was Captain Fisher.

Shipping

The prisoners arrived on St. Helena as follows-

  • Milwaukee 514 14th April, 1900 (inc. General Cronje and his wife and staff) General and Mrs Cronje were accommodated at Kent Cottage, some distance from Deadwood from where he used to ride to visit his men.
  • Lake Erie 394 21st April, 1900 (inc. 34 officers)
  • Bavarian 1099 1st May, 1900
  • Mahratta 110 26th June, 1900 (inc. 12 officers) In addition to the above, The New York Times of June 28th 1900 reported the following: JAMESTOWN, St. Helena, June 27. -- Sarel Eloff, President Kruger's grandson, who was captured by the British at Mafeking, landed here to-day with eleven officers and ninety-eight troopers, mostly foreigners. The prisoners were immediately sent on to Deadwood the prison camp. Most of the Boers at Deadwood are in good health, and thus far there has been but one death from enteric fever.
  • Manchester Port July, 1900 (brought Lieut. Col. von Braun)
  • Idaho 189 July 1900 (inc. 7 officers)
  • Victorian 199 10th December, 1900
  • Columbia 200 12th January, 1901
  • Bavarian 1337 24th January, 1901
  • Mongolian 649 3rd February, 1901
  • Orient 1050 January, 1902
  • Britannia 25th January, 1902 (39 Boer officers inc. Gen. Ben Vlljoen)
  • Victorian 77 Feb, 1902. (inc. 20 officers)

With the declaration of peace, the prisoners were required to sign an Oath of Allegiance to King Edward VII. The special court constituted for administering oaths closed on Saturday, 6th September, 1902.

The following ships conveyed the prisoners back to South Africa -

  • Canada 370 (Peace Camp) and 110 others, 26th June, 1902
  • Kirkfield 11 7th July, 1902
  • Goorkha taking French prisoners to Europe 25th July, 190s
  • Abaka 20 1st August, 1902
  • Avondale Castle 20 August, 1902
  • Tagus 994 21st August, 1902
  • Canada 984 21st August, 1902
  • Malta 990 30th August, 1902

St Helena thus held both the first and last of the important Boer generals captured during the war.

Escape

Several people tried to escape:

  • 3 tried to escape before landing
  • 5 tried to get away from Sandy Bay in an old fishing boat
  • 2 tried to swim to a Russian Barque in the harbour
  • 2 escaped in a small boat with no provisions, but were sighted and recaptured
  • 1 who escaped in a box put on board ship but he was returned from Ascension

Considering the isolation of St Helena, surrounded by thousands of square miles of ocean, escape was virtually impossible. Yet, on 2 February 1901, Lieut. Sarel Eloff, grandson of president Kruger, who while do parole met 2 or 3 other prisoners – a Smith and Johnson, and made a determined attempt at Sandy Bay. Having collected a quantity of provisions, the four men seized (or bought a fishing boat for 25 pounds) an old fishing boat in which to make their escape. However, fishermen removed the oars and, despite a struggle, managed to hold on to them. The prisoners climbed into the boat and tore up the bottom boards, intending to use them as paddles. Finding them to be useless, the prisoners then returned to the beach and tried in vain to bribe the fishermen, offering them a good sum in exchange for the boat and oars. In the meantime, a messenger had been sent to report the occurrence and soon after dawn a guard arrived from Deadwood Camp to arrest the escapees.

The best known attempt was Colonel Schiel who had previously commanded the Republican artillery in Natal, and was taken prisoner at Elandslaagte. For trying to escape by a Dutch ship which touched at Jamestown, he was locked up to High Knoll Fort.

Another escape was attempted by two French prisoners. Whilst bathing off the beach at Rupert's Bay, they tried to swim to a ship at anchor. Spotted by the guardship, guns were directed against them and they were challenged, whereupon one turned and swam back to Rupert's Bay, whilst the other swam to the landing steps at Jamestown, only to be escorted back to camp. A notable attempt was that of Jansen, Who swam to a British warship 'Beagle', hid in the hold, and was only discovered on the following day.

The most enterprising attempt to escape was by made by Andries Smorenburg who made a crate and "mailed" himself from Saint Helena on the Union Castle Mail Ship SS Goth. In the event he was discovered when the ship was out at sea, landed at Ascension, handed over to the authorities and returned to St. Helena.

Finally, an Italian by name Beldaracki made good his escape. He met some Spaniards who visited Napoleon's tomb, swam to their boat at anchor in the harbour made good his escape and afterwards wrote from Barcelona to some prisoners at Deadwood Camp

The Widow(s) And Orphans’ Fund

A commission was formed with the following members, to collect curios and send them to Holland.

  • Kommandant Eloff as chairman
  • Mr H Everett as secretary
  • Mrs Neilsen
  • Van Huijsteen
  • Coetzee
  • Van Wijkas

POWs

A




B

  • Herbert Baumann Compiled a scrap album of photographs, autographs, letters received by prisoners, military passes and copies of the prisoners own camp newspaper. Contracted an eye disease during this time which ultimately blinded him.





C



  • Job Cordier One of General Cronje's bodyguard, He must have been a lively, jovial man and soon made friends in Jamestown and earned the attention of Mr Barclay, the hotel proprietor. who obtained permission to employ him.

D





  • James Dubber 1859 to 1937. POW in St. Helena, Deadwood Camp.

F

G

  • Jacob Genis b. 1837, captured at his farm Kleinghas (Now Windhoek Farm) in the district of Kamieskroon after a boer rebellion in Namakwaland. Prisoner nr PAGJC.

H



J

David Josua Joubert 1880 - 1956. Name was actually Daniel Josua Joubert but POW records show him as David.


K


L

  • Adrian Labuschagne Prisoner number: 27130, Captured: Houtkop, Age: 52, Address: Welrust, Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Casper Labuschagne Prisoner number: 1357 Captured: Paardeberg 27 Feb 1900 Age: 23 Address: Weltevreden Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Casper Paulus Labuschagne Prisoner number: 27137 Captured: Klipfontein Age: 30 Address: Aanwang Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Christiaan Mauritz Labuschagne Prisoner number: 5814 Captured: Paardeberg 27 Feb 1900 Age: 23 Address: Wepener Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Daniel Theodorus Labuschagne Prisoner number: 27138 Captured: Taaiboschpan Age: 15 Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Francois Jakob Labuschagne Prisoner number: 3502 Captured: Paardeberg 27 Feb 1900 Age: 55 Address: Elandskuil Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Frans Lourens Labuschagne Prisoner number: 1356 Captured: Paardeberg 27 Feb 1900 Age: 35 Address: Weltevreden Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Frantz Jacob Labuschagne Prisoner number: 27135 Captured: Balmoral Age: 14 Address: Kleinfontein Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Gert Brand Cornelis Labuschagne Prisoner number: 27133 Captured: Houtkop Age: 14 Address: Koppie Alleen
  • Jan Frederik Labuschagne Prisoner number: 5812 Captured: Paardeberg 27 Feb 1900 Broadbottom Age: 32 Address: Driekoppies Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Jan Harm Labuschagne Prisoner number: 27131 Captured: Houtkop Age: 52 Address: Koppie Alleen Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Jan Harme Hendrik Labuschagne Prisoner number: 16002 Captured: Rhenosterkop 17 Dec 1900 Age: 21 Address: Klipkoppies Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Johannes Adam Labuschagne Prisoner number: 5813 Captured: Paardeberg 27 Feb 1900 Broadbottom Age: 23 Address: Tochgekregen Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Lourens Stefanus Labuschagne Prisoner number: 27136 Captured: Klipgat Age: 34 Address: Roodekoppies Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Petrus Johannes Jacobus Labuschagne Prisoner number: 15321 Captured: Paardeplaats 28 Oct 1900 Age: 20 Address: Kaffirskraal Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Pieter Willem Labuschagne Prisoner number: 27132 Captured: Houtkop Age: 29 Address: Koppie Alleen Source: Anglo Boer War Museum 2016
  • Petrus Cornelis Lourens 1852 -
  • Abraham Hercules Le Roux 1873-1927 Prisoner no 6362. Captured: Paardeberg 27/02/1900. Broadbottom. Age: 30.

M





N

P

  • Hendrik James Piek of Villafort Ladybrand. Probably the same Harry Piek who stayed or more likely returned to St Helena as he is listed as leaving on the ship 'Oratava'

R

S








V




to ? POW in St Helena, BROADBOTTOM camp.

*



  • Herman Wilhelm von Below, Dutch volunteer, POW, Springs, Transvaal. Captured June 1900 , released 01 Aug 1902.

Z

Finnish POWs

  • Aberg, Karl, from Helsinki, also spelled Oberg or Akerberg
  • Backman, Otto, 23 years of age, wounded at Scholtznek
  • Backman, Simon, stayed on St Helena after the war, carpenter
  • Backman, Sunnion (?)
  • Erikson, Isak, stayed on St Helena after the war, carpenter, perhaps the same as
  • Erikson, I. on the Boer Cemetery in Knollcombs
  • Gustafson, Matts, also went by the name Knuts
  • Johansson, Johan Jakob, died on St Helena Sept. 11, 1900, also went by the name Gastgivars
  • Johnson, Erik
  • Johnson (Johansson), Herman, also went by the name Gunnila, died on St Helena
  • Korhonen, Gabriel, received a prize for a walking stick he made on St Helena
  • Lingberg, Ernst Evert, born 1864, wrote book about the war and the time as a prisoner, also made paintings
  • Mattson, Matt, from Kalajoki
  • Mickelsen, Johan, from Vora
  • Nelson/Nilsson, Matt/s, born at Laggnas, Marsala Finland 1875, 25 years, at monument in Knollcombs, Died 7 June 1901
  • Nikulen, Teodor, (Nikulainen), married to Rosa Frieman. POW, at St Helena?
  • Nyman, Jan or Johan, from Oravais, can be found on a photo from St Helena
  • Ollus,?
  • Rank, Johan or Johannes, from Munsala
  • Schoutz, Johan, from Vasa, made a model in Deadwood
  • Spara, Johan Jakobsson, from Kantlax, died on St Helena
  • Stenroos, Carl, from Lumparland, Aland islands
  • Wiklund, Johan Niklas, from Vexala, Munsala, blacksmith in Deadwood

Russian POWs

  • Yakov Yakovlevich Prede
  • Ernst Ewert Lindberg
  • Johannes Rank
  • Jacob Johanson
  • Mats Nielson possibly the same Nielson who remained in St Helena
  • Johan Nilas Wiklund
  • Simon Backman (or Buchman)
  • J. Mikkelson
  • Jan Nyman
  • Isak Erikson
  • Herman Johanson
  • Eric Johanson
  • Prince Nikolai Bagration-Mukhransky

The Ones who stayed

5 prisoners chose to remain on island and raise families, their descendants still live on island. The names Smith, Piek, Vanguard and Nielson come from Boer prisoners.

Although they were prisoners, those who were not rebellious were eventually reasonably free to move around on set days, and some were allowed to live near their employment. One even married here while he was a prisoner.

  • Isak Erikson, stayed on St Helena after the war, carpenter
  • Hendrik James Piek of Villafort Ladybrand. Harry Piek stayed or more likely returned to St Helena as he is listed as leaving on the ship 'Oratava'
  • Pieter Hans Christiaan Nielson
  • Alfred Smith Brother of Charles
  • Charles Smith St. Helena’s last surviving Boer War prisoner. Liking his insular prison, had elected to stay there forever. He married and for many years ran a bakery.
  • John Vanguard

Died in St Helena

The death rate of approximately 3%, is proof that the conditions under which the prisoners lived on the island were of a high order.

Knollcombe Cemetery

  • Johan Jakob Johansson Scandinavian volunteer. Name is mistakenly written Jakobsson buried in grave number 18a
  • Matts from Laggnäs Finnish volunteer, name is missing. (possibly Nielson)
  • A.F. Ter Meulen 27 years
  • G. Gerbere 29 years
  • T.P. Pieterse 40 years
  • J.P.L.v.d. Berg .. 31
  • J.J. Grobler ... 51
  • J. Boltman .... 40
  • W.J. Oosthuizen . 33
  • J.F. Roselt .... 29
  • J.F. Viljoen ... 20
  • S.P. du Plessis .. 34
  • R.J.v.d. Berg Rudlph Johannes van den Berg 1868-1900.. 50
  • G.J.C. Deysel .. 45
  • R.A. Opperman . 22
  • J.J. de Beer .... 17
  • G.J. van Zyl Gert Johannes van Zyl 1858 to 1900. ... 41
  • F. Wehlan .... 40
  • W.A. Hallat ... 26
  • A.J. van Wyk ... 54
  • G.C. Lindeque .. 65
  • G.J. du Toit ... 33
  • J. Johnson .... 24
  • F. Correlis .... 21
  • J.A. Steyn .... 56
  • G.R. Loggrenberg . 19
  • P.C.J. Faber Petrus Coenraad Jacobus Faber 1851. to 1900 ... 51
  • H.W. Buys .... 21
  • C.J.H. du Plooy . 64
  • F.H. McDonald .. 27
  • M.T. Goddefroy . 19
  • S. Dobeich .... 34
  • C.P. Brand .... 27
  • J.P. Steyn .... 18
  • D.J. Lubbe .... 47
  • P.J. Badenhorst .. 25
  • M.C. Rosslee ... 18
  • I.J. Oberholzer .. 35
  • M.J.H. Boshoff .. 30
  • F.A. Gerber ... 27
  • A.F. Termeulen .. 25
  • W. Nielsen .... 25
  • F.P. Pieterse ... 39
  • C.E. Blignaut ... 45
  • H. Krause .... 66
  • H. Venter (Veld Cornet) ...... 43
  • C.J. Geyer .... 61
  • J.P. Mostert ... 48
  • D.G. Fouche ... 27
  • B.J. van Zyl ... 42
  • J.S. du Toit ... 40
  • P.A. Kotze .... 37
  • A.F. Dreyer ... 48
  • J.J. Smit ..... 27
  • J.J. Buitendach Jan Jacobus Buitendag .. 45
  • J. van Deventer .. 62
  • A.M. Muller ... 44
  • J.J. Meintjies ... 35
  • J. Toeset ..... 32
  • M.J.S. de Kock Machiel Johannes Servaas de Kock . 65
  • J.T. Martens (Veld Cornet) ... 57
  • W.J.C. van Rensburg 33
  • J.S. Venter ... 64
  • A. Kleinhans ... 58
  • F. van de Vlugt .. 43
  • F.A. Naude ... 48
  • J.F. Naude .... 30
  • T. van Sittert ... 19
  • J.F.Otto ..... 45
  • J.C. Schoeman Johannes Cornelis Schoeman .. 46
  • G.F. Lubbe ... 33
  • G.A. Fritz .... 30
  • N.S. Maritz ... 48
  • J.J. Brits ..... 34
  • J.L. Pretorius Johannes Lodewicus Pretorius .. 31
  • S.J. du Plooy ... 46
  • A. McGrath .... 51
  • F.J. Labuschagne (Adj) 54
  • J.H. Broese ... 48
  • C. de J. Bloem .. 53
  • R.S. Meyer .... 16
  • P.F. Bosman ... 39
  • H.J. Bantjes ... 20
  • J.H. Hattingh .. 60
  • C.W. Rooyen .. 47
  • J.C.S. Fourie ... 60
  • H.F. Cox .... 34
  • A. Viljoen .... 32
  • M.J. Buitendach . 51
  • H. Roos ..... 22
  • J.P. Meintjies ... 60
  • J.F. Oosthuizen .. 53
  • A.J. Heefer ... 49
  • G. Fairchild .... 35
  • I.S. le Roux ... 36
  • A.M. Meiring .. 74
  • C.P. Joubert ... 60
  • F.P.J. Botha ... 46
  • J.G. Beneke ... -
  • R.P. Diedericks .. 19
  • R.F. du Plessis .. 47
  • C.J. Beukes .... 64
  • E.J. Meyer .... 29
  • F.N. Joubert ... 33
  • J.J.S. Kemp ... 37
  • P.C. Snyman ... 45
  • L.C. Taljaard ... 62
  • D.J.A. Koekemoer . 24
  • J.S. Malan .... 62
  • W.J. Snyman (Comdt) ..... 36
  • M.J. Mathyssen .. 62
  • W.N. Pienaar .. 21
  • D.J. van Niekerk . 57
  • A.N. Pienaar ... 27
  • G.P.S. Badenhorst ... 33
  • H.J. Badenhorst .... 58
  • J.J. Barkhuizen .... 55
  • J.D. Beneke ...... 53
  • D.A. v. d. Berg .... 33
  • v.d. Berg .... -
  • P.V. Biljoen ...... 37
  • B.N. Botes ....... 68
  • F. Botha ........ -
  • F.W. Botha ...... 24
  • S.F. Botha ...... 31
  • R.J. Buitendag ..... 28
  • N.P. Campher ..... 17
  • P. Daffne ..... 52
  • W.P.V. Deventer ... 46
  • S.C. Dirker ...... 29
  • A.J.S.V. Emmenis .. 24
  • J. Erikson ....... 31
  • C.F. Ferreira ..... 22
  • F.S. Grobbelaar .... -
  • J.S. Grobbelaar .... 20
  • D.J. Harmse ...... 25
  • Dr G.A. Harmse .... 20?
  • S.A. Harmse ...... 16
  • S.F. Ingerer ...... -
  • W.J. Jordaan ..... 29
  • P.P.J. Kruger ..... 19
  • J.C. Lademan Johannes Christian Gottlieb Lademann .... 26
  • A.H. Lamprecht .... 24
  • B.J. Liebenberg .... 74
  • S.P.v.d. Linde .... 65
  • P.S. Lubbe ...... 32
  • J.J. Marnewick Willem Jacobus Johannes Marnewick.... 61
  • B.J. v.d.Merwe .... 42
  • D.A. v.d.Merwe ... 28
  • W.A.D.J.C. Nel ... 61
  • J.C. Oosthuizen .... 30
  • A.J. Pienaar ...... 34
  • H.P. Pieters ...... 31
  • C.J. Petgieter ..... 33
  • J.H. Retief ...... 22
  • M. Breedt ....... -
  • J.A. Sadie ...... 36
  • J.C. Schoeman ..... 44
  • F.A.C. Smit ..... 32
  • D. de Sousa ...... 27
  • T.G. Steenkamp .... 56
  • D. Steyn ........ -
  • B.J. Stone ....... 24
  • J. Strydom ...... 63
  • J.N.S. Strydom .... 46
  • H. du Toit ...... 44
  • A. du Toit ...... -
  • C.S. Venter ...... 32
  • P. Viljoen ....... -
  • A.A. de Villiers .... 29
  • D.H.J. Vorster .... -
  • C.J.J. van Vuuren ... 51
  • C.J. van Vuuren .... 47
  • C. van Vuuren ..... -
  • J.D. v.d. Westhuizen .. 41
  • J.M. de Wet *Johannes Martinus de Wet 1873 to 1902. POW in St.Helena, Camp ? ...... 27
  • P.J. Willemse ..... 23
  • J.N. van Wyk ..... 24
  • F.C. Wynand ..... 21
  • G.I. van Zyl ...... 19

Died and Buried at Sea

Those who died on sea on the way to St. Helena were buried at sea.

How to Participate

If you have an ancestor who was in the ABW as POW on ST HELENA:

  1. Get yourself added as a collaborator
  2. Navigate to your ancestor's profile
  3. Under the "More Actions" link choose "Add to Project"
  4. Select the "POW ST HELENA" project

How to add a link is explained in the attached document - Adding links to Geni profiles to projects.

Optional:

  • Include in the "About Me" section of each person a brief biographical sketch of their lives. Also include their Settler party and ship name and arrival date if known
  • Include a photograph/painting of your ancestor if one exists.
  • Your ancestor's profiles should be marked as "public" and not "private".
  • All included profiles should include full identifying information including birth and death dates as well as birth and death locations. It would also be very helpful if the immediate family of your pioneer ancestor, (their parents, siblings and children) profiles were public profiles also.
  • Do not make public any profiles of living people. NOTE: All POWs included on this project will have their profiles editable by other geni.com collaborators of this project. The object of reproducing the list here is to see if these people can be located on Geni and perhaps develop trees from them. To take part in any project - you do need to first be a collaborator - so join the project. See the discussion Project Help: How to add Text to a Project - Starter Kit to get you going!

Records

http://www.historicalpapers.wits.ac.za/?inventory/U/collections&c=A...

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