TOPIC:

Started a topic here recently when I received an Oorlog medal to Burger J.N Swart Vryheid Commando. This was based on his Voem B that accompanied Medal

Found out from a Oorlog Medal enthusiast in South Africa that he was the wronG J.N. Swart due to Type B not Type C suspensionS etc

So now I am looking at finding our about Burger Johannes Nicolaas Swart of the Heilbron Commando.

Joined 1899 and served under Komdt Sternkamp and Van Coller.

Fought at
Swaitboorskopnatal *
Ladysmith
Colenso
Spion Kop
Groenskop *
Elaanmandvoorvrede *

Finishes Vorm B with something like 'gerwond in bloemfontein gehow tot dal vrcoleverkloar' *

* Handwriting difficult and africaans rusty!!! a translation would be good.

Can anyone recommend reading (webpage) for heilbron cdo?

Is there an ancestry website in South Africa to see if I can find where he lived etc and if his family were interned?

Also is there any 'roll' to see after wounding at Bloemfontain if he was captured?

Regards

Wayne

Hi Wayne

I am afraid you are not necessarily home yet!!




Seven ABO medals were issued to a Burger J N Swart

As seen above they were from Vrede (with LvW), Bethlehem, Frankfort, Standerton, Vryheid, Wakkerstroom and near the bottom Heilbron.

Your medal will have to be classified in terms of WWI or WWII suspender and WWI or WWII naming. You may then get an answer by looking at the data of issue of each of the 7 medals.
WWI suspender and WWI naming in use between 1921 and October 1937
WWI Suspender and WWII naming in use from October 1937 to February 1942
WWII suspender and WWII naming in use from February 1942 onwards to the early 1980's when the last 12 meals were issued.

Henk

Hi Henk

Yes I know - apparantly my medal (type) was issued 1937-42. The only J.N Swart issued in this period is the Heilbron guy.

My original Vryheid guys was issued in 1943.

Hopefully that is the chap - any idea what the africaans translations are or ancestry sites?

Hi Wayne
Swartbooiskop, Natal: A hill occupied by the Boers during the Battle of Rietfontein, 24 Oct 1899
Groenkop : De Wet's action of the night of 25 Dec 1901

It seems that he was wounded one month before peace and held in Bloemfontein : as such he will not feature on the PoW register.

You can access the Web Site "British Concentration Camps of the South African War 1900-1902"
I found the following record typical of that which could lead you to your man's family, especially if he was still living since the war on the family farm and gave that as an address on Vorm B
Personal Details
Name: Mrs Anna J M Swart
Born in camp? No
Died in camp? No
Gender: female
Race: white
Marital status: married
Nationality: Free State
Registration as head of family: Yes
Unique ID: 122629
Camp History
Name: Heilbron RC
Age arrival: 36
Date arrival: 27/08/1902
Date departure: 19/09/1902
Reason departure: returned home
Destination: Leeuwkop
Stock into camp: Yes
Farm History
Name: Leeuwkop
District: Heilbron
Status of Husband
Type: pow, no oath of neturality
Relationships
Mrs Anna J M Swart
is the mother of Master Casperus Swart
is the mother of Miss Gezina Swart
is the mother of Miss Hendrina Swart
is the mother of Master Jacobus Swart
is the mother of Miss Heilda Swart
Sources
Title: SRC 81 Heilbron CR
Type: Camp register
Location: Free State Archives Repository
Reference No.: SRC 81
Notes: p.080

Regards
Henk

Thanks henk

does this help with any other relevant info not mentioned.

Is his address on there and what is said under Groenskop please?

Regards

Wayne

Hi Wayne
No address on Vorm B so searching the Camp database will be a formidable task with doubtful results.
Under Groenkop : Een maand voor vrede gewond, in Bloemfontein gehou totdat vrede verklaar is.
Translation : Wounded one month before peace, kept in Bloemfontein till peace was declared.
Henk