NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2026

On 19th March we heard from Louis Venter, the librarian at Bloemfontein's Museum of the Boer Republics, about Sport and leisure in the British forces during the Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902.

This had been the subject of his M.A. thesis and he made it clear that his research had opened his mind to there having been two phases during this war as far as attitude to sport and leisure activities with in the British Army was concerned.

Based on the values of the public schools in the UK around the concept of a healthy mind in a healthy body - in an army where 62% of the officers had been pupils at such schools - physical activities, particularly sport, were encouraged amongst the troops.

Football was the most popular - he mentioned the astonishing number of football clubs in a single city - 190 in Liverpool in 1890 and probably over 200 in Birmingham - one in 20 men were active members of football clubs. In South Africa it was the easiest as far as equipment was concerned - a ball and a field being all that was needed.

Louis reported that cricket was also popular and some inter-regimental games were organised. Games were also held between garrisons and town inhabitants, usually ending in crushing defeats for the local players.

Tug-o-war was popular - even a version on horseback at gymkhanas - while polo was played by some mounted units. Rugby, hockey, gymnastics, boxing and even golf were also happening.

Once the war entered its guerilla phase, the officers' efforts turned to keeping the soldiers out of mischief, since the work they were doing was often mind-numbingly boring. It was claimed that at least one set of troops in a blockhouse was surprised and taken prisoner by the Boers while playing cards!
Gambling happened despite the best efforts to control it, especially where soldiers were garrisoning small towns, of which there were many in the two occupied republics.

Hunting was not only popular but helped vary the diet - although one officer complained hunters were more dangerous than the Boers near Bloemfontein.

Of course officers were able to entertain themselves - and the townspeople who were supportive of the British - by holding dances, picnics, concerts etc.

His video recording is, as usual, recorded in the Society's Video Library on the website.

Thursday 9th April 2026 at 19h30 and then 20h15

Speaker: Aron Adam Coetzee
Subject: The KhoiKhoi Wars 1652-1795

Did Dutch colonization erase the Khoisan community? What happens when Indigenous communities lose their land, livelihood, and sense of pride? What forms of Khoisan resistance took place, which were most effective and whether they had a lasting impact on colonial administration in the Cape.

SAMHSEC Zoominars

Monday 13th April 2026 at 19h30 and then at 20h15:

Speaker: Dylan Fourie
Subject: Lauri Allan Touri

The Soldier who fought for three countries

The next RPC (Request the Pleasure of your Company) Zoominar will be on Monday 27^th 2026. Details will be on the invitations.

The meeting on Saturday the 11th April (the week after Easter) will be addressed by David Hulme, the retired academic attorney who has previously given us excellent presentations on The Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Mediterranean warfare during the Classical period. This being Easter, he will address us on Pontius Pilate and the Roman Empire governing Jerusalem at the time of the Crucifixion.

The venue is the St Cyprians Church Hall off Umbilo Rd, with secure parking. Entry is free and open to all, with visitors welcome, but a donation of R20 for the car guard and gives entry into the monthly raffle is requested from all attendees.

Visitors are welcome and encouraged.
Details from Phil Everitt, Cell or WhatsApp: 084 437 1636

SAMHSEC newsletter 43 April 2008 is needed for the website - please send a scan to joan@rfidradar.com if you find a copy.

From Edward Barber :
" ..... I am the publisher of this new quarterly publication which is available at most Exclusive Books retail outlets. I have published 2 editions, Vol 3 due out in mid Apr 26.

My aim is to highlight this history in a accessible and easy to read/digest manner. I make use of full colour illustrations etc, and am somewhat 'commercial' in my approach and look. My publication will always be a minimum of 120 A4 sized pages, gloss, PUR binding, varnished covers etc. ...."

Ed Barber
082 575 6941

The Rev. Dr Robert Beaken emailed as follows:
"I am writing a history of the Order of St John of Jerusalem during the Second World War.
The Order worked in conjunction with the Red Cross Society. ...I have got stuck with someone called Major Oxley, who pioneered occupational therapy amongst sick and wounded troops (see below). It would be helpful to have his Christian name or initial. Unfortunately, Major Oxley does not appear in the surviving records of the Order of St John in London, and many of the Red Cross records are lost.

I wonder whether any of your members have come across a reference to Major Oxley and might know his Christian name or initial?"

Sussex County Chaplain and Hospitaller
The Order of St John
01424 547868

EXTRACT

Occupational therapy - various forms of art and craftwork to divert their minds and aid their recovery - proved a great success with sick and wounded troops, and was carried out under the aegis of the Red Cross and St John Coordinating Committee.

[1] It had been pioneered by Major Oxley at Oribi in 1941 and was subsequently taken up at Imperial Military Hospitals and St John Auxiliary Hospitals. By the end of the war Major Oxley was also organising occupational therapy at the Royal Naval Hospitals at Simonstown and Durban. Some 14,500 men benefited from it. The Priory paid for half the costs of occupational therapy in the Imperial Military Hospitals.

[2] The Priory also began offering physiotherapy in its Auxiliary Hospitals.

Eastern Cape details contact    Malcolm Kinghorn    041-373-4469    culturev@lantic.net

Gauteng details contact    Joan Marsh     010-237-0676    joan@rfidradar.com

KwaZulu-Natal details contact    Prof Phil Everitt    084-437-1636     everitt@iafrica.com

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