matjieshowntell

“Today if one walks in the veld around Matjiesfontein, one can still find rusted bully beef tins left behind by the British troops.”

“When the Anglo-Boer War broke out in 1899, Matjiesfontein served as a command headquarters and "home" to many British officers. This was the furthest north that wives and sweethearts were allowed to travel. Many were seen strolling on the arms of officers and dining in the hotel, which later served as a convalescent hospital for wounded officers. Soldiers are reported to have used the turrets of the hotel as lookout posts and it is said that bands of Boers were often spotted moving through the hills. On the outskirts of the village was a huge remount camp for over 20 000 troops and 10 000 horses was established.
Some crack British regiments were based at Matjiesfontein”
(Quote from a brief history of Matjiesfontein.)