Facts and Photos

During the Anglo-Boer War, 27,000 Boers 
became prisoners of war of the British. 
They were sent to faraway places like India, 
Ceylon, Bermuda, Portugal etc.

Burghers and their families, 
who crossed the Transvaal/Portuguese East African border 
ahead of the advancing British troops, 
were interned in Caldas da Rainha, 
Peniche and Alcobaça in Portugal.

School der Boerenkinderen te Caldas da Rainha, Portugal

Prisoners were not allowed to return to South Africa, 

unless they swore allegiance to the British Crown 

and promised not to assist "His Majesty's enemies". 

On signing they were issued with a permit 

like this one below.

Greatgrandmother, Cornelia Susana Smit's (nee Sauerman) letter to her husband, Hendrik Adolf Smit, POW in India

This letter was written on the 10 th of November 1902, 
at Honengklip (Heuningklip), 
20 days before my greatgrandfather's death, 
in the Shahjahanpur POW Camp in India.

He never received it, 
which accounts for the reason 
why it is in the family's possession.

She pleads with her husband, HA Smit, 
and loving son, Barend, 
to take the oath of allegiance to Britain, 
seeing that their beloved country, South Africa, 
is already lost.

The Peace Treaty had been signed, at Vereeniging, on the 31st of May, 1902.

She mentions various names and dates, 
of family and friends who had died because of the fever, 
including some children. 
She speaks about those who had already returned 
from exile in India, 
and asks him to extent her greetings to those, 
Hans Potgieter and Hendrik Smit, 
who were still in exile.

She speaks of two horses that she had bought 
(a mare and a stallion) 
and that Herman and Dolf went to fetch 
the horse cart that was in the water. 
Brother Barend wants him (her husband) 
to come to the Colony (the Cape) when they return. 
Brother Barend wishes for their speedy return, 
so that they can make plans about the cattle. 
She asks him to remand her beloved son, Barend, 
to keep his eyes fixed on the Lord, 
our only salvation.

She ends the letter with pen and ink, 
but never with her longing heart, 
greetings from CS Smit and their children.

A memorial to Anglo-Boer POW's who died in the Shahjahanpur Camp in India

A picture published in Huisgenoot 1918, p.319.

The Indian government erected this monument 
in memory of the Boer Prisoners of war 
who had given their lives for their homeland 
and died in a distant country in exile, as POW's. 
An inscription in Dutch is visible at the foot 
of the monument which reads as follows: 
"Heilig, ter nagedachtenis 
van die Boeren Krijgsgevangenen, 
wier namen hieronder gegeven worden, 
die gestroven te Shakjakanpur 
dedurende de jaren 1901 en 1902 
en die in de nabijheid van deze steen begraven zijn.

Die volgende namen vonden wij op portretten 
van het monument, 
die van een andere zijden genomen werden: -

JH Combrinck, van distr. Carolina, overleden 10-10-1902

PW Erasmus, Winburg, 31-05-'02

WJ Grobler, Zoutpansberg, 07-07-'02

CC Harmse, Rustenburg, 03-01-'02

CG Jacobs, Boshoff, 05-10-'02

JP de Jager, Bethlehem, 25-04-'02

B Jonker, Rustenburg, 01-11-'01

NF du Plessis, Potchefstroom, 21-08-'02

A du Plessis, Fauresmith, 13-10-'02

DJJ van Rensburg, Rouxville, 20-05-'02

HH Sauerman, Harrismith, 05-05-'02

HA Smit, Harrismith, 30-11-'02

PA Swanepoel, Rustenburg, 18-11-'02

AP van Wijk, Smithfield, 14-08-'02

Photo of my great-grandfather's memorial stone

The memorial stone of Hendrik Adolf Smit, 
born on the 23rd of September 1846 
and who died on the 30th November 1902, 
as a prisoner of war of the Anglo-Boer War, 
in the Shahjahanpur's Camp in India.

On the top right of the picture a matchbox, 
made of wood with inlaid ivory, can be seen, 
made by my grandfather. 
Two Indian coins are also visible, 
a two Indian "annas" coin from 1902, 
as well as a half Indian "annas" coin, of 1895. 
These coins were given to my cousin, Michiel Smit, 
by his father, Herman Adolf Smit 
and are in his possesion today.

On top centre, there is also a photo of Hendrik Adolf, 
already with a much older
appearance.

Old photos

Barend and Helen, on Toppingvale, 
near Bedford, Eastern Cape, 
December 1971,

after dad's heart attack

Oupa Adolf Hendrik Smit, a widower,

and a friend, Tannie Retief.

On horseback

Barend Smit with young boy

My father, Barend Smit, a skilled horseman

Photos and documents from Barend and Helen's family

Great Oupa Hendrik Adolf Smit 

& Great Ouma Cornelia Susana Smit (nee Suerman)

Barend and Helen Smit's wedding day,

25th December 1945, at Harrismith, OFS.

Barend Smit and Helen Aletta, Sophia Mostert 
got married on the 25th of December 1945 
in Harrismith, Orange Free State, South Africa. 
From their marriage five children were born: 
Isabella Aletta Sophia (Laetitia) Jan. 1949; 
Albertha Hendrika (Bertha) April 1951; 
Herman Adolf, November 1952; 
Barend Tobias, March 1955 
and Willem Hendrik, September 1961.



Barend and Helen Smit

on Table Mountain

Ma Helen Smit at Ukerman Street, 
in Heidelberg,

Transvaal