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George Samuel Burt Andrews

Lance Corporal, 1st Imperial Light Horse – Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal (Natal/Relief of Mafeking/Transvaal) to 806 L. CORPL: G.S.B. ANDREWS. IMP: LT HORSE

George Burt Andrews was another of those well-known and established Rand luminaries who flocked to the Imperial Light Horse soon after that famous outfit was established in Pietermaritzburg in November 1899.

Born in Greenwich, Kent in September 1867, he was the son of George Robert Andrews, a Builder by trade, and his wife Sarah Ann Burt. A highly competent man and one that was to make something of himself in the future, the older Andrews was, perhaps, the ideal role model for his son.


Burt Andrews as a young man

Four years later, at the time of the 1871 England census, the Andrews family were resident at 3 Frazier Place in Gravesend. Mr. Andrews was now a Builder’s Foreman. Young George, 2 years of age, was joined in the nursery by his 6 month old brother, Arthur Burt Andrews. (As can be seen the “Burt” had now been added to the “Andrews” – a trend that was to be followed with all successive children born to the couple.)

Ten years later, at the time of the 1881 England census, the family were to be found living in Hengistbury House, Christchurch in the area of Bournemouth. Mr. Andrews had come up in the world and was now the Town (Municipal) Surveyor on an annual salary of £300. Tragedy had struck two years earlier with the passing away of George’s mother in Christchurch in 1879. She was 39 years of age. Mr. Andrews, with a brood of young children to raise and see to, had not allowed dust to settle under his feet, taking a wife and stepmother for the children at Bournemouth on 13 March 1880. It was on this day that the children welcomed Eliza Cooke into their lives.

Before her departure from the scene Sarah had blessed the family with a few new additions to keep 12 year old George and Arthur (10) company – these were Walter Burt Andrews (6) and Alfred Burt Andrews (4.) Both these last two were baptised at St. Peter’s in Bournemouth on 28 May 1880.

Andrews senior had now advanced from being a Builder to a qualified Civil Engineer and a member of the Sanitary Institute of Great Britain to boot. In September 1889 he was engaged by the London agent of the Johannesburg Waterworks, Estate and Exploration Company and arrived in Johannesburg in November 1889.

George Andrews, meanwhile, had ,likewise, qualified as a Civil Engineer and had obtained employment as an assistant in the engineer’s department of the Bournemouth Improvement Commissioners, where he had exceptional opportunities of gaining an insight into important town improvement works. In 1886 he was appointed assistant in the engineer’s department of the Hornsey Local Board under Mr. T. de Courcy Meade. During the four years Andrews spent in London he was trusted with many works of importance, works that were going to be of benefit to him in later years.

George Andrews left for South Africa, along with his father, in 1889 but arrived in the City of Gold after the great “boom” and was, according to his insert in Men of our Times (Johannesburg, 1905), “not very much encouraged with the prospect that presented itself at this time.”

For some years he was in private practice in Johannesburg as an engineer and architect. He was included in the first ballot of the 1894/95 season of the Institute of Civil Engineers, which resulted in his election to that august body. In June 1892 he won a prize of five guineas for the best plan of a public garden on the site of Joubert Park. Later that year he was employed by the town's Sanitary Committee (its only local authority at the time) to lay out the garden and take levels. In July 1893 he was appointed as building inspector and subsequently, from a large number of applicants, as assistant town engineer of Johannesburg under Charles Aburrow, a post which he held until the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War in 1899.

In the meanwhile he had been making his mark among the members of the Free Masons in the Transvaal, being initiated in Heidelberg Lodge No. 2354 in 1891.

On 3 August 1894 he wed Annie Bell from New Scotland in the Eastern Transvaal at the Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg.


Attestation form

But as the end of the 19th century neared there was trouble looming on the horizon. Long simmering tensions between President Kruger and his Transvaal Republic and his ally in the Orange Free State on the one hand and the might of Imperial Great Britain on the other burst to the surface and erupted into full-scale war between the two protagonists on 11 October 1899. The two Boer Republics, especially the Transvaal, had been on a massive rearmament drive since the botched attempt by Leander Starr Jameson to ride into Johannesburg and, together with the Reform Committee, overthrow Kruger’s government. Now every Burgher worth his salt had bought a brand new Mauser rifle, supplied by the Transvaal Government, for a few Pounds and the Staats Artillerie were the proud possessors of a number of new, state of the art, Cruesot and Krupp field guns.

Although the war commenced, officially, on 11 October 1899, the build-up had been accelerating for a number of weeks since the beginning of September. Feelings on the streets of Pretoria, the capital, and Johannesburg, the financial hub, had been running high with the Boer Burghers becoming increasingly vocal in their condemnation of the “Uitlanders” and more strident in their aggression. Most people of British descent deemed it prudent to leave the country as soon as opportunity allowed and there was a large outflow of men, women and children, by boat from Lourenco Marques and by train, to Durban and Pietermaritzburg in Natal.

This large influx of refugees created its own set of problems for cities like Pietermaritzburg who were ill-equipped to deal with the numbers and many “refugees” were found lounging around the streets of the city, with time on their hands and mischief on their minds. By and large, however, the better stamp of man who found their way down from the Witwatersrand to Natal’s capital found a temporary home in the ranks of the Imperial Light Horse, a Colonial regiment created in November 1899 to assist the British in the field.

Initially limited to an intake of 500 volunteers, the I.L.H. was extremely selective of the type of recruit it allowed to join. A quick study of both the officers and men revealing the names of many prominent men who had fled south. Andrews was no exception. On arrival in Pietermaritzburg he obtained temporary employment in the borough engineer’s department of the municipality, assisting a Mr Laffin in the preparation of a water supply scheme and other important projects aimed at ameliorating the lot of the now bulging civilian population.

The key battles of Elandslaagte, Colenso and the siege and relief of Ladysmith came and went with the I.L.H. playing a prominent and effective role in them all but it wasn’t until 14 March 1900 that Andrews felt able to leave his municipal responsibilities behind and don a uniform. This he did at Pietermaritzburg where, according to the attestation forms he completed, he was described as 32 years of age, 6 feet in height weighing 12 stone and with a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. Lt. Colonel Woolls Sampson witnessed his application and, having been passed as Fit by the regiment’s surgeon, he was assigned no. 806 and the rank of Trooper with the 1st Imperial Light Horse. The name of Mr. J.A. Princeman, a local solicitor, was provided for next of kin purposes.

According to “Men of our Times”, Andrews proceeded with the regiment through Natal to the Biggarsberg (the range of mountains outside Dundee). “During the time that he was with this famous regiment he took part in many engagements, notably the relief of Mafeking, and in operations round Pretoria, Rustenburg, Warmbaths and Barberton.”


With Mahon’s Mafeking relief force

Sterling, in his comprehensive “COLONIALS IN SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902” provides a succinct account of the I.L.H.’s movements from the time Andrews joined them: -

“About the middle of April 1900 Sir Archibald Hunter with the Fusilier Brigade, the Irish Brigade, and the I.L.H. were brought round by sea from Natal to Cape Colony, and these troops concentrated near Kimberley. (A 100 men of) The I.L.H., Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. M. Edwards commanding, were chosen to accompany Colonel Mahon on his hazardous march to the relief of Mafeking, the other troops of his column being 'M' Battery RHA 4 guns, the Kimberley Mounted Corps, and a composite company of infantry made up of four sections of twenty- five selected men each, from each of the regiments in Barton's Fusilier Brigade.

The column assembled at Barkly West on 2nd and 3rd May, and set off on its perilous march on the 4th. On the 5th Sir Archibald Hunter attacked the Boers at Rooidam with the object of allowing the column a free road so far, which object was attained; Vryburg was reached on the 9th. Few Boers were seen till the 13th. Colonel Mahon having learned that the enemy was at Koodoesrand Ridge to block his path, moved off to his own left. In the afternoon the Boers, realising what he had done, came up with the right flank near Maritzani and attacked that flank and at the head of the column. The enemy's attack was favoured by the bush; but the troops did well, and the attackers withdrew with a loss of about 20 killed. Colonel Mahon estimated that the enemy numbered 900, with 4 guns. The British loss was approximately 7 killed and 20 wounded, of whom the I.L.H. lost 6 men killed, Major C H Mullins and 14 non-commissioned officers and men wounded.

Before dawn on the 14th the column again set off, and reached the Molopo, about eighteen miles east of Mafeking, at 5.30 am on the 15th. At daylight touch was gained with Plumer's column, which had come from the north; Mahon crossed the Molopo, and both forces were now combined under him. At 7.30 am on the 16th the column set its face eastwards, towards the little town whose fate had for seven months engrossed the most anxious attention of the empire. At 1.45 pm, the I.L.H. on the left front became engaged, and it was seen that the enemy were to oppose the relievers. A fiercely fought action followed, in which the Boer threatened both flanks and rear and heavily shelled the convoy; but again all behaved splendidly, and about four o'clock the enemy began to give way. This corps had Lieutenant Campbell Ross and two men wounded.

Major A W A Pollock, who accompanied the force, in his `With Seven Generals in the Boer War,' says, at page 252, "Ground was now being gained continuously by the left wing under the clever leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Edwards; whose own corps, the Imperial Light Horse, led the advance with the skill and courage that they have so consistently displayed throughout the war". After describing the general advance, in which the enemy's centre was pierced and his right driven off the ground before darkness set in, Major Pollock says "Then the Brigadier wisely decided to halt until the moon had risen, and meanwhile sent forward Major Karri-Davies with six volunteers of the I.L.H. to announce the victory to Baden-Powell, and report that the relief column would enter Mafeking during the night".

The troops entered the town at 3.30 am on the 17th. In his report, dated 23rd May 1900, printed among the despatches, Colonel Mahon praised all the troops, but selected the Royal Horse Artillery and Imperial Light Horse for special mention.

The forces of Mahon and Plumer remained at Mafeking until the 28th, when an order was received that Mahon's force was to join General Hunter at Maribogo. At 3 pm, the column started, and marching south-east joined Sir Archibald Hunter, and afterwards marched via Lichtenburg and Potchefstroom to the central Transvaal, arriving at Krugersdorp on 18th June. At Lichtenburg Colonel Woolls-Sampson had joined the regiment with a welcome draft. Mahon was now ordered to take his column, including the I.L.H., to Irene, east of Pretoria. In his telegram of 5th July Lord Roberts said, " I have recently inspected Mahon's small force, which did such excellent work in the relief of the Mafeking garrison. The Imperial Light Horse, which I purposely brought from Natal to take part in the expedition, are a most soldierly and workmanlike body of men".

In July Mahon's force was, with others, employed in driving back the Boers who were hanging about the country east of Pretoria, and he was afterwards ordered north of the capital for a similar object. On 6th and 7th July there was severe fighting at Witklip, in the Bronkhorst Spruit district, when the I.L.H. lost Captain Curry and Lieutenant Kirk and 7 men killed, and 8 non-commissioned officers and men wounded. In his telegram of 18th July Lord Roberts said: "One squadron of this distinguished corps pressed by a very superior force of the enemy in a gallant attempt to carry off a wounded comrade, to which is attributable the heavy losses it sustained".

About the middle of July Lord Roberts commenced a further advance eastwards from Pretoria. Mahon's troops, which included the I.L.H., were put under General Ian Hamilton, who commanded a strong force, which, starting on l7th July, marched eastwards on the north of the Delagoa Railway. On the 25th Hamilton occupied Balmoral. On the 27th he started to return to Pretoria to operate against a concentration of Boers in the Rustenburg district. Pretoria was left again on 1st August, and the column throughout the month did much heavy marching and some stiff fighting as at Zilikat's Nek and bore heavy losses. After taking part in a pursuit of De Wet, then in progress, Hamilton's force returned to Pretoria, which was reached on 28th August. During the four weeks 400 miles had been covered on low rations. In August Lord Roberts renewed his advance eastward to join General Buller and the Natal Army about Belfast, and on the 30th Mahon left Pretoria for that district. His force now was "M" Battery Royal Horse Artillery, 3rd Corps of Regular Mounted Infantry, Queensland Mounted Infantry, New Zealand Mounted Rifles, 79th Company Imperial Yeomanry, Imperial Light Horse, and Lumsden's Horse.

On 27th August Buller had thoroughly defeated the Boers at Bergendal, near Belfast, and General French had been ordered to seize Barberton, marching via Carolina. On 3rd September, when Mahon arrived at Belfast, he was ordered to join French at Carolina. This he did on the 5th. French now advanced through most difficult country; very high mountains had to be crossed, several times in face of opposition, but a general who made no mistakes was in command, and Barberton was taken on the 13th. The official despatches do not do sufficient justice to the splendid daring of General French, and the marvellously fine work of the troops on this fighting march. The strength of the regiment with Mahon at this time is put down at 26 officers, 367 men, with 444 horses.

After a very short rest in Barberton the mounted troops pushed towards the north-east, and, as mentioned by Lord Roberts, a detachment of the I.L.H. captured, near French Bob on the 21st, 20 prisoners, 200 rifles, and a quantity of ammunition. On 29th September the regiment left General Mahon's force, marched to the railway, and were shortly afterwards entrained for Pretoria.

It wasn’t long after this that Andrews took his leave of the regiment, time expired, on 12 October 1900. For his efforts in the war he was awarded the Queens medal with the sought after Relief of Mafeking clasp to go with those of Natal and the Transvaal.

With the capitulation of the Free State capital in March 1900, followed by the Transvaal capital, Pretoria, in June 1900; refugees began gradually began to return to Johannesburg which, thanks to the foresight of some Boer officials, had not been laid waste to with the Mines left unmolested. Andrews was one of those who took the plunge and returned to the city, being reinstated in his previous position. But what was it like, returning to a city once so vibrant and now deserted by war? “The Scotsman” of 27 December 1900 carried a lengthy article headed “The Rand Today” from “The Cape Argus Correspondent” wherein, on 14 November 1900, he wrote (in part),

“The one fact that impresses itself upon the newcomer is the fact that neither the mercantile nor the artisan class could improve its position were they to be allowed to return tomorrow; nor is there likely to be anything for them to do on the Rand until such time as the mines are in a position to resume operations on a fairly large scale. Of one thing I am assured – the people here look forward as eagerly to the return of the refugees as the latter themselves.

In the meantime, all the administrative appointments, except, perhaps on the railway, are of a tentative character. Many of the of the chief posts are filled by prominent Uitlanders, who are giving their services without remuneration, while not a few men, competent men too, are only receiving from £13 to £20 per month.

Before closing this unduly long letter, I must say a word for the excellence of the civil and military administration of Johannesburg. The municipal work is very efficiently carried on by Major O’ Meara, the Burgomaster; with Captain Clem Webb, as sanitary superintendent. Mr Aburrow the town engineer, and Mr Burt Andrews, his assistant (who has served throughout the entire campaign with the I.L.H.), have just returned to their old posts.”

Upon the retirement of Charles Aburrow, Andrews was appointed acting town engineer of Johannesburg in May 1901, and in June 1902 became deputy town engineer under D.C. Leitch. Both were highly competent men and served Johannesburg well during a period of rapid progress and reconstruction. Andrews succeeded Leitch as town engineer in January 1905 and remained in the post until his retirement in September 1927. In 1915 he participated in a discussion and provided information on road construction and maintenance in Johannesburg before the South African Institution of Civil Engineers. The proceedings were published in the South African journal Civil Engineering.


Burt Andrews in later life

Around 1905-1907 Andrews was one of the meteorological observers (of rainfall, air pressure, air temperature and humidity) of the Meteorological Department of the Transvaal Colony. His diary and some notebooks in which he recorded survey data during the years 1898-1903 are kept in the Strange Collection of the Johannesburg Public Library.

The South African Association of Engineers and Architects was replaced in June 1898 by the South African Association of Engineers, with the same membership and office bearers. A separate society, the Transvaal Association (later Institute) of Architects was founded, and Andrews served on its first council in 1902, and later as its president. Also in 1902 he became a foundation member of the South African Association for the Advancement of Science and was elected a member of its council in 1904. He later also joined the (British) Institution of Mechanical Engineers and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. In 1921 he initiated an exhibition of town planning at the Transvaal University College (soon to become the University of the Witwatersrand).

After his retirement as town engineer of Johannesburg in 1927 Andrews practiced as a consultant civil engineer in Johannesburg for some time. Although Andrews himself did not play a role in World War I, his wife, Annie, was recognised for her contribution to the Johannesburg Local Committee of the Governor General’s Fund with the award of the M.B.E.

George Burt Andrews has been credited, as both an architect and engineer, with the layout and planning of what is now modern-day Johannesburg. He seems to have had a finger in many municipal pies. He passed away at the age of 70 years and 1 month on 3 November 1937 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Johannesburg. His residence at the time of his death was “Jabula”, 77 St Patrick Road, Houghton Estate and the cause of death was Myocardial degeneration, arterio sclerosis and cardiac Asthma. His estate, a sizeable one, amounted to £30 763. On his wife’s death in 1945, 2/3rds of the remaining estate was bequeathed to the Free Masons.

Acknowledgements:
- SA Who’s Who 1908
- Men of the Times (Transvaal) – 1905
- Biographical Database of Southern African Science – S2A3
- Ancestry.com for census data/medal roll
- British Newspaper Archive for press reports
- The Story of the Imperial Light Horse in the South African War - George Fleming Gibson
- Colonials in South Africa 1899-1902 - John Sterling
- Familysearch.org for Death and marriage details
- SA Free Masons for Masonry details