sabrigade

Thanks Chris,

I managed to find some details on the "Theron" Jooste which did not make sense given the few facts I could find on my sword owner.

Looking forward to the info, I am travelling again and may go to the Middle East from Washington.

Regards,

Will

Hi Chris,

Not sure about the skulls.

Jooste himself seems to have become a legend during the War.

The more I research and learn the more humble I become regarding my personal knowledge in the varied and vast fields when collecting and researching militaria.

Regards,

Will

Removed, double posting.

Photograph is of Lt Wolmarans who later was known as Major Wolmarans, DTD. DSO.

STAATS ARTILLERIE VAN DE O.V.S. 1857 TO 1900

During the period 1857 to 1864, 12 field pieces were imported by the O.F.S. government. Two of these field guns saw service in the 1858 Basotho War. The force was commanded in 1864 by Captain Goodman, a former member of the Royal Artillery. He had been made Commandant and had a staff of seven members. During the Basotho Wars from 1865 to 1869, the strength of the force was increased and five guns were in the field. In 1880, Major Albrecht of the German Army took over with one officer, 55 other ranks and 300 reservists. Albrecht had 12 modern Armstrong guns; four horsed and was responsible for policing the borders of the state with 20 men. In 1896 the Artillery was relieved of this duty and reorganised. The new equipment included 14 7.5-cm Krupp guns. With these guns and five officers and 159 other ranks the force entered the Anglo-Boer war. At the outbreak of the war, the other ranks were increased to 400 men. The Staats Artillerie of the O.V.S. did good service until the beginning of the guerrilla war phase of the Anglo-Boer War. Major Albrecht fought in the Anglo-Boer War and was captured at Paardeberg.

STAATS ARTILLERIE VAN DE ZAR 1874 TO 1901

The Transvaal Artillery initially consisted of the Battery Dingaan and was armed with four Krupp mountain guns and two mitrailleuses. The battery had been founded in 1874 by Captain Otto H. Riedel. In 1881, it was restarted under a captain and had 30 artillerymen and 30 police. It served in five minor wars from 1882 to 1894 when the strength was 124 other ranks commanded by Commandant J. Wolmarans and five other officers. A band had been in existence since 1888. In 1896 during the Jameson Raid, Commandant Trichardt only had 70 men and the same aging ordnance at his disposal. Immediately after the raid, the establishment was increased to 23 officers and 295 other ranks with a Field Telegraph and Medical sections. The armament in 1900 was four 6-inch Creusot oxen drawn, four 4.7 inch Krupp howitzers, eight 2.95 inch Krupp Quick Firing howitzers, two Maxim Nordenfeldt and 22 one pounder Maxims (Pom-Pom) horsed. In 1901, the corps, now without guns, was reorganised as a mounted corps. The strength at the start of the Anglo-Boer was 400 with a further 400 reserves. There were three field batteries and their reputation was very good. Their handling of the heavy Creusot guns in open warfare was especially noteworthy.

ZUID AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK POLITIE (ZARPS)

This force was the mounted and foot police of the Transvaal. From 1881 to 1896 the ZARPS were part of the Artillery and then began a separate existence as an independent entity. In 1899, the force consisted of 10 officers, 100 NCO’s and 1400 men. The majority of the force was foot police but they all took to the field and entered the Anglo-Boer War as mounted forces. The ZARPS fought well and earned a reputation for their tenacity, skill and courage. In peacetime they carried swords, carbines and revolvers. During the Anglo-Boer war the ZARPS carried the Mauser rifle. Mr L.S. Amery stated that “the police were first-class fighters, combining the skill of the Boer with the courage and self-sacrifice of the disciplined soldier”. The “fighting” ZARPS accompanied the Boer forces from the Transvaal that invaded Natal. They participated in many major and minor engagements but gained enduring fame at the Battle of Dalmanutha or Diamond Hill where they were destroyed as a unit. Individual members as well as the last contingent of the ZARPs continued to fight in the Eastern Transvaal during the guerrilla and final stage of the Anglo-Boer War.

CAPTAIN J.P. JOOSTE WITH HIS SWORD

SWORD ATTRIBUTED TO CAPTAIN J.P.JOOSTE, TVK

WALL DISPLAY, DETAIL TO FOLLOW

The Transvaal Volunteer Corps slouch hat badge.