South African Military History Society

Mankazana Post Memorial


Photo: Ian Pringle

Location
Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Near the confluence of the Mankazana and Koonap Rivers in the Adelaide District.
Approximately 10 kms from Adelaide on the R344 to Tarkastad.
Get land owners permission before entering.

GPS 32 deg 38 min 59.6 sec S, 26 deg 16 min 26.2 sec E

Significance
The Mankazana Post was manned from the mid-1830s to monitor access to the Mankazana Valley from the north.
The Memorial was dedicated in 1958 through the efforts of the SA Legion.


The original plaque which has since been stolen.
Photo: Ian Pringle

The plaque read
In Tribute to
The Officers and Men of the
91st Argyllshire Highlanders
And the 91st Reserve Regiment
Who gave their lives
In the Cause of Duty in the
Wars from 1844 to 1857
They are remembered with Pride
By the Argyll and
Sutherland Highlanders
Regimental Association
1957


Photo: Ian Pringle

Taken from the records of the SA Legion at the ceremony in 1958 when the memorial was dedicated:
The Mankazana Post Roll of Honour
James Gibb - Killed in Action 16 April 1846 - Burns Hill
William McDonald - Killed in Action 16 April 1846 - Burns Hill
James Nelson - Killed in Action 16 April 1846 - Burns Hill
Robert Yule - Killed in Action 16 April 1846 - Burns Hill
John Smillie 17 April 1846 Tyumie Camp
Alexander Stewart - 18 April 1846 - Block Drift
William Simms - 19 April 1846 - Died of Wounds - Block Drift
Thomas Duke - 19 April 1846 - Leeuwfontein
Thomas Hazley - 19 April 1846 - Leeuwfontein
John Jolly - Died of Wounds - 11 August 1846 received on 12 May 1846


The post is no longer visible and all that remains is strewn masonry
Photo: Ian Pringle


The fence around the graves is broken. The graves have mostly disappeared
Photo: Ian Pringle


Looking down from the high ground of the post over the Old Post Bridge over the Koonap River.
Photo: Ian Pringle

The old bridge was used until the mid-1970s when a new bridge and bypass was built 2 kms downstream.

South African Military History Society / scribe@samilitaryhistory.org