South African Military History Society

Riversdale Anglo-Boer War Monument


Photo: Malcolm Kinghorn

Location
Riversdale District, Western Cape Province, South Africa
On the R305 between Riversdale and Stilbaai, about 10 kms south of the N2
GPS: 34 deg 13 min 8.59 sec S, 21 deg 21 min 21.9 sec E

Significance
The Monument marks the site of what is believed to have been the southern-most contact between British and Boer Forces in the Anglo-Boer War. It was unveiled on 12 September 2001.
The action took place on 12 September 1901 when Commandant Jan Theron's Commando clashed the Riversdale District Mounted Troops, Riversdale Town Guard and attached British troops.
The Boers occupied the surrounding high ground and the British were close to where the Monument is now.


Photo: Dawie van der Westhuizen

The plaque on the Monument is inscribed

ANGLO-BOEREOORLOG
DIE MEES
SUIDELIKE GEVEG
VAN DIE OORLOG HET 
OP 12 SEPTEMBER 1901
1899     HIER PLAASGEVIND     1902
'N BOERE-KOMMANDO ONDER BEVEL VAN KOMMANDANT
JAN THERON BOTS HIER MET DIE DISTRICT MOUNTED
TROOPS EN RIVERSDALE TOWN GUARDS ONDER
BEVEL VAN LUITENANT SMALBERGER EN 'N
AFDELING BRITSE TROEPE ONDER BEVEL VAN
MAJOOR KAVANACH. DIE BOERE WAS OP DIE RANTJIES
NOORDWES, WES, SUIDWES EN SUIDOOS VAN HIER.
DIE BRITSE TROEPE WAS IN HIERDIE ONMIDDELIKE
OMGEWING. TWEE BOERE, NAAMLIK VELDKORNET J.A.
VAN BILJON VAN KROONSTAD EN R.C.H. TIELL VAN 
JOHANNESBURG WORD GEWOND. HULLE HERSTEL 
EN WORD VERBAN. DIE BRITSE MAGTE LY AANSIENLIKE
 ONGEVALLE, MAAR GETALLE IS ONBEKEND
ONTHUL OP 12 SEPTEMBER 2001
OPGERIG DEUR DIE RIVERSDALSE RAPPORTRYERS

South African Military History Society / scribe@samilitaryhistory.org