TOPIC:

Cam across this photo of Native soldiers in Mafikeng;



caption: Unsung African heroes of the Siege of Mahikeng. The unknown Black soldiers during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War) in the town of Mahikeng, in North West province. The African men formed part of the armed guard which defended the town. I wondered about the unknown men in this photograph, who they are, what they achieved and if they survived the war or died. They represented Barolong, Mfengu, Bahurutshe, Batlharo and other African nations

Would this be the Mafikeng Black watch which repelled the Boer night attack?

Iain

Hello Iain,
I would think it could well have been, BP, had a problem in this area, in particular, with the Barolong, in fact, he did his very upmost to remove them from history.
Regards Frank

Please note that the formidable looking gentlemen in the front row and elsewhere are armed with .45" Martini Henry rifles with p/87 sword bayonets attached in many cases. An interesting picture indeed.
Regards
IL.

Hi Frank,

as I recall, BP stopped feeding the Africans hoping they would leave Mafikeng as food rations were so low.
But these guys proved their worth.

Kind regards, Iain

Frank Kelley wrote: Hello Iain,
I would think it could well have been, BP, had a problem in this area, in particular, with the Barolong, in fact, he did his very upmost to remove them from history.
Regards Frank

Hello Iain,
I'm afraid BP was a law unto himself in Mafeking!
Regards Frank

iaindh wrote: Hi Frank,

as I recall, BP stopped feeding the Africans hoping they would leave Mafikeng as food rations were so low.
But these guys proved their worth.

Kind regards, Iain

Frank Kelley wrote: Hello Iain,
I would think it could well have been, BP, had a problem in this area, in particular, with the Barolong, in fact, he did his very upmost to remove them from history.
Regards Frank