TOPIC:

All:
I have owned a Model 1895 7MM Mauser rifle for about 40 years, that was a "bring back" souvenir from the Boer War.
On the Butt stock, is engraved the name, location and date of the original Boer owner, I believe.
The engraving is as follows-
" Fredeik Combrink, Rodeklip, 1900"
Can anyone tell me exactly where Rodeklip is/was, or perhaps anything about the original owner, who I assume was a member of the Boer forces?
Any assistance will be greatly appreciated (about 15 years ago, I went to the SA Embassy in Ottawa,Canada, and they could not help me out at all!)
Thanks!
John S

Hello John,

The ABO medal roll lists 3 men with that name.

1) Combrink, Frederik Johannes, Rank: Burger of the Lydenburg Commando
2) Combrink, Frederik Johannes, Rank: Burger of the Middelburg Commando
3) Combrink, Frederik Johannes, Rank: Korporaal of the Carolina Commando

Regards
Adrian

Capepolice:
Thanks for this.
Is Burgher a rank, like private?
I assume that korporaal translates to corporal?
Would any of the commandos of the three people you list be anywhere near Rodeklip?
Does the fact that the engraving on the stock spells the name as "Fredeik" mean that the engraver made a spelling error, or might there be an unlisted Boer out there with this actual spelling
Thanks!
John S

Hello John,

Burger is a rank equivalent to Private and yes, Korporaal is Corporal.

I must say however, I am still looking for the exact place Rodeklip!!!

I think like the name "Fredeik" engraved on the rifle this could be spelt incorrectly. The Boers certainly gave different names to places than the British.Diamond Hill is sometimes called "Donkerhoek" for example.

Regards
Adrian

capepolice:
Again, Thanks! My guesses were right.
I think that the name "Fredeik" is probably a spelling error, as well.
When I first obtained the rifle, I think I tried to track down where Rodeklip might have been located, but the results were inconclusive.
I seem to recall that the placename Rodeklip is no longer current in SA, but there might have been indications that it might have been a suburb of Pretoria or perhaps Johannesburg- I`m afraid I can`t recall the specifics, as it was so many years ago.
Regarding the 3 people you mentioned previously- can these men be researched, and if so, how? I`m in Canada, so unfortunately the info is not easily at hand.
Cheers,
John S

Hello John,

The application forms for the award of the ABO medal to these men should have survived and these will give details as to where the man fought and his home address etc. They are known as "Vorm B"

I use a chap by the name of Dewald Nel for theses. His email address is:

[email protected]

Cheers
Adrian