GPS: 33 deg 54 min 52.61 sec S, 19 deg 07 min 27.69 sec E
An information plaque on his grave in French, Afrikaans and English reads in English as
French by birth,
Boer fighter by choice, South African at heart
Born at the Chateau de Keroual near Brest, Robert de Kersauson de Pennendreff came to South Africa in 1900 to join the Boer forces during the South African War (1899-1902). Inspired by his uncle, Colonel Georges de Villebois-Mareuil, he volunteered to fight for the independence of the Boer Republics.
After arriving via Portuguese East Africa, Robert was sworn in as a citizen of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek by President Paul Kruger. He served with Boer commandos throughout the war, learned Afrikaans, and shared in the hardships of guerrilla warfare. He joined Danie Theron's Reconnaissance Corps, fought in General Christiaan de Wet's campaigns, and in 1901 undertook a dangerous mission to Europe on behalf of the republican leadership, returning shortly before peace in 1902.
In 1904. In Cape Town, he married Marie-Louise Coutorbe of Saint-Étienne. During the First World War, he served with distinction in the French Army, notably at Verdun, and attained the rank of Captain. His decorations included the Croix de Guerre, Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur, and the Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst.
Robert and Marie-Louise maintained close ties with France and South Africa. In 1940 they settled permanently in Franschhoek, became South African citizens, and devoted themselves to preserving South Africa's Huguenot heritage.
Robert's wartime diary is published in Afrikaans in 1960 as Ek en die Vierkleur. A French edition, Le Dernier Commando Boer, appeared in 1989.
Together, these works remain valuable first-hand accounts by a foreign volunteer in the South African War.
Robert died on 11 June 1971 and Marie-Louise nine months later.
They bequeathed their estate, including Robert's original diary and decorations, to the Huguenot Society of South Africa."
And in Afrikaans as:
"Robert de Kersauson de Pennendreff is in die Château de Kéroual naby Brest gebore en kom in 1900 na Suid-Afrika om tydens die Suid-Afrikaanse oorlog (1899 - 1902) by die Boeremagte aan te sluit. Geïnspireer deur sy oom, Kolonel Georges de Villebois-Mareuil, veg hy as vrywilliger vir die onafhanklikheid van die republieke.
Ná sy aankoms via Portugese Oos-Afrika word hy deur president Paul Kruger as burger van die Zuid-Afrikaanche Republiek ingesweer. Hy veg gedurende die hele oorlog saam met Boerekommando's, bemeester Afrikaans en beleef die ontberings van die guerrillastryd. Hy sluit by Danie Theron se Verkenningskorps aan en neem deel aan generaal Christiaan de Wet se veldtogte. In 1901 onderneem hy 'n gevaarlike sending namens die Boereleierskap na Europa en keer kort voor vrede in 1902 terug.
In 1904 trou hy in Kaapstad met Marie-Louise Coutorbe van Saint-Etienne. Tydens die Eerste Wêreldoorlog dien hy met onderskeiding in die Franse Leër, onder meer by Verdun, en vorder tot die rang van kaptein. Hy ontvang die Croix de Guerre, die titel van Chevalier van die Légion d'Honneur en die Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst.
Robert en Marie-Louise behou lewenslank noue bande met Frankryk en Suid-Afrika. In 1940 vestig die egpaar hulle permanent in Franschhoek, word Suid-Afrikaanse burgers en wy hulle aan die bewaring van Suid-Afrika se Hugenote-erfenis.
Robert se oorlogservarings verskyn in 1960 as Ek en die Vierkleur, die Franse uitgawe, Le Dernier Commando Boer, volg in 1989. Hierdie werke bly waardevolle eerstehandse verslae deur 'n buitelandse vrywilliger van die Suid-Afrikaanse oorlog.
Robert sterf op 11 Junie 1971 en Marie-Louise nege maande later. Hulle bemaak hulle nalatenskap, insluitende Robert se oorspronklike dagboek en dekorasies, aan die Hugenote-Vereniging van Suid-Afrika"
Further information
Grave of Count de Villebois-Mareuil