PAST EVENTS
Fellow-member Steve Watt had travelled far south into the Cape Province to trace the actual locality and the outlines of the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital which had been established at Deelfontein, some 45km from De Aar, in March 1900. He presented the results of his researches, supported by numerous documents, illustrations, transparencies and even items of wartime débris, in a most interesting and instructive talk. Deelfontein, the military hospital in the Karoo, has left few visible signs; but the nearby cemetery is a stark and lasting reminder of the fact that not even a hospital can banish death altogether.
Two Englishwomen, Lady Chesham and Lady Georgiana Curzon (later Countess Howe) felt so strongly the need to mitigate the horrors of war that they resolved to organise a hospital for the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa. Appeals in the Press had an enthusiastic response and a sum of £174 000 was collected, ensuring success for the undertaking. Deelfontein was chosen on account of its location on rail, close to the expected theatre of war, its dry salubrious climate and, most important, its ample supply of water which up to then had been only to supply steam locomotives. The hospital was under the charge of Col. A.T. Sloggett, RAMC, with M H.D. Fripp as Senior Surgeon.
The entire staff consisted of 21 doctors including surgeons, physicians, an opthalmologist and a dentist, 10 surgical dressers, 40 nursing sisters, 10 ward maids, 76 men from St John's Ambulance and 110 orderlies, making a total of' 267 persons.
Our speaker dealt in detail with the erection and expansions of the hospital, its routine and special activities, its problems and vicissitudes. There was, for instance, the celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday and a "one-minute storm" which, notwithstanding its brief duration, wrecked seven of the large marquees. Of special interest was the showing of contemporary photographs followed by colour slides indicating the corresponding sites as they appear to-day. The hospital was not used exclusively for the Yeomanry but served the needs of all. It operated under the auspices of the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital Committee for a year, during which period 6 093 patients had been admitted, but was then taken over by the army as such and became known as No. 21 General Hospital, with Col Sloggett remaining in charge.
After an extensive and searching question time and open discussion, with special reference to prevalent diseases for which no ready remedies were available at the time, to which medical men in the audience made valuable contributions, a warm word of thanks was extended to the speaker for his well prepared presentation.
VISIT TO KHAMBULA AND HLOBANE
During the week-end 12/13th September members of the S.A. Naval Officers Association and of our Society went 'bundu bashing' under the guidance of our Chairman 'SB'. 19 persons assembled at the rendezvous in Grey town. Brief stops were made en route in the Npanza Valley (Bambata Rebellion ambush), near Pomeroy (assembly area of the NNC, Zulu War 1879, and Fort Bengough), Helpmekaar, and a lunch stop at the Blood River battle site. The afternoon was spent on a visit to and discussion of the battle of Khambula. Sunday was spent on a visit to Hlobane and a climb up the Western end to reach the Devil's Staircase and Piet Uys' grave. Good weather and good company made this outing most enjoyable.
FUTURE EVENTS
A repeat of last year's one-day outing to COLENSO has been organised for Sunday 25th October 1987, for the purpose of following on the ground the course of Col Long's artillery on the day of the battle of Colenso, 15 December 1899, and to hear details of incidents associated with different localities up to the point when, after an heroic effort two guns were saved, and the remaining ten fell into the hands of the Boers.
09h30 Rendezvous on Sunday 25 October 1987, at Clouston's' Koppie of Remembrance, a low ridge, studded with monuments and clearly sign-posted, to the left of the main road and some 5km from Colenso on the south (Estcourt) side. Brief introductory talks by three speakers. (Travelling time from Durban, not allowing for pit stops, about 2 hours.)
10h45 Drive from Clouston's to Large Donga. Commentary.
12h15 Picnic lunch.
13h45 Drive to Gun Position. Inspection and commentaries.
16h10 Depart for home.
There will be a minimum of walking, but even so, wear comfortable shoes and outdoor clothes. Bring picnic lunch, refreshments, hats, sun-glasses, binoculars, cameras, etc. (Last year's outing on 25th May was an unqualified success and brought a new dimension to the presentation of military history in the field.)
MONTHLY GET-TOGETHERS
OCTOBER 15TH Please note that this meeting will take place on the THIRD THURSDAY in October, and not on the 8th Oct, (2nd Thurs) as previously announced.
Fellow-member IAN SUTHERLAD will talk on THE BATTLE OF CULLODEN.
November 19th Major Darrell Hall - Illustrated slide talk about 1820 Settler, William Corey
December In recess
1988 January 14th Our Chairman, 'SB' Bourquin - Illustrated slide talk entitled "Shaka's Heritage".
February 11th Fellow-member Vic Conrad will talk on "The Birth of Israel" and will show some slides of places of interest.
The venue for all meetings will be the 'Bourq Inn', lower ground floor, 'SB' Bourquin Building, cnr Jan Smuts Highway and Buro Crescent, Mayville, commencing at 7.30 p.m.
(Mrs) Tania van der Watt,
Secretary, Durban Branch,
S.A. Military History Society,
Box 870, HILLCREST, 3650.
Tel. (031) vvvvvv