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Post date: 07/08/2012
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The old British earth fort was built early in 1880 and was one of seven forts manned by the British during the First War of Independence (1880-1881). A Boer commando under Barend J Vorster besieged the fort by occupying three positions around it. A total Bibliography archive:
The old British earth fort was built early in 1880 and was one of seven forts manned by the British during the First War of Independence (1880-1881). A Boer commando under Barend J Vorster besieged the fort by occupying three positions around it. A total Bibliography archive:
Archive Import
History: The British manned seven forts in the Transvaal during the First Transvaal War of Independence (1880-1881); they were situated at Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Lydenburg, Wakkerstroom, Standerton and this one at Marabastad.
After the Battle of Bronkhorstspruit at which a British force was defeated on 29th December, 1880, this fort was hastily strengthened. The fort formed the nucleus of a defensive complex laid out in the form of a cross. Outside the fort there were barracks for the "Hottentot Mounted Police", an advanced post and a canteen arranged as a fort.
A Boer commando under command of Barend J. Vorster, with laagers at Sandspruit and Bothasplaas, besieged the fort by occupying three positions round it. A hundred and forty soldiers, Khoisan and civilians were confined in the fort, in a space twenty metres square. Several skirmishes took place during the siege of 105 days, in which the British losses were five killed and one wounded, while one Boer was killed.
In 1942 the Sons of England Patriotic and Benevolent Society erected a monument in honour of the British dead.
Visual Description: This English fort or earthworks is situated just east of the national road at Marabastad, a few kilometres south of Polokwane, on the farm Sand River.
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