TOPIC:

Has anybody done some research on the Fauresmith Boer (Burger) Commando? I am interested in the following:
- When the commando was activated and under who's leadership?
- Name list of the members ie who filled the ranks?
- Area of operations / major battles the commando fought in?

Thank you very much

Darrell Hall produced a book titled "The Hall Handbook of the Anglo Boer War " In it he gives an overview of where each Commando served, and lists the commanding officers. It's widely available for about R150-R200.

Following on from Rob's post, Darrell Hall lists Piet J. Visser as Commandant of the Fauresmith Commando. He also notes that the unit had a muster of 988 Burghers. At the beginning of the war, they were patrolling the frontier from the Orange River to Jacobsdal, under General Jacobus Prinsloo.


Jaques Malan says of Visser:

Kmdt. P.J. Visser
P. J. (Piet) Visser was from Fauresmith. At the outbreak of the war he fought in Natal [this seems to contradict both Hall & Amery], and when he was surrounded with General M. Prinsloo in the Brandwater Basin in July 1900, he broke out at Clarens.
Until October 1900, when he was killed at Jagersfontein, he fought mostly by General De Wet's side.
He was known as a heroic figure.

According to Amery (Vol III, p. 472), Visser and the Fauresmith Commando were at Fourteen Streams (near Warrenton) on 20 Feb 1900.

They escaped from the Golden Gate, in the Brandwater Basin, on 30th July 1900 (Amery, Vol IV, p. 341).


A few mentions in Amery:

On 19 Oct 1899 they occupied Belmont Station.
Took part in the Battle of Belmont on 23 Nov 1899.
Left to guard the laager at Ramdam on 24 Nov 1899.
Took part in the Battle of Magersfontein on 11 Dec 1899.
Took part in the fight at Wolvekraal on 11 Feb 1900.
Awaiting orders at Fourteen Streams on 20 Feb 1900.
Escaped from the Brandwater Basin on 30 Jul 1900.
Some joined De Wet at Bethulie on 1 Dec 1900.


..

Johan, you can contact the Free State Archives for information.
Reference number: VAB GS 2116 (File of the Fauresmith Commando)

Free State Provincial Archives
The Provincial Archivist
Postal address: Private Bag X20504, BLOEMFONTEIN 9300
Street address: 29 Badenhorst Street, BLOEMFONTEIN
Tel: (051) 522 6762. /
+27 51 5226762
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Donald van Wyk
Cell No: 066 485 3532
[email protected]

JohanM,

Please can you post what you discover regarding the Commando; it's always good to learn more about them (and others too).

Regards,
Sturgy

Thank you very much, I have written Mr van Wyk and I am waiting for his responce.