TOPIC:

Telegraphists photographed at Brandfort on 11 Aug 1900



..

Transvaal Volunteers in camp

Lovely and rare photo, one of a series in this thread you have kindly shown of Boer Vrywilligerskorps.
On the left, a burgher grinds coffee while others fry breakfast on a fire with tall pots of hot water and a stout pot of mealie porridge. A seated burgher peels spuds into a bucket stencilled JVK (Johannesburg Vrywilligers Korps). Unusual to see the uniformed African man on the right.
These Boer corps seem to have vanished almost as soon as the war began, because the men served in commandos rather than as Vrywilligers. Generaal Ben Viljoen, in his Krugersdorp Vrywilligers Korps uniform is the most familiar image of these units
I would love to hear more about the various Vrywiligers Korps if anyone can post a link to a source; or maybe Elmarie could start a thread?

Rob,

As I understand it, all the Vrijwilliger units were disbanded by order of the Volksraad at the beginning of 1899. Hence their apparent disappearance by the beginning of the ABW. Some may have continued to wear their uniforms post-disbandment, but I suspect the series of photographs posted by David was taken before the outbreak of hostilities.

The men in David's last image appear to be from the Cavalry wing of the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps. The infantry wore baggy "plus-eights" rather than tight breeches, and spats instead of cavalry boots.



Two members of the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Cavalry Corps






Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps martingale badge, slouch hat badge and button

..

Below are two images showing the baggier trousers and spats worn by the infantry wing of the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps.






..

How Boers encamp on the veldt