27 DECEMBER 1901 - TONTELBOSCHKOLK

[archie777]

On 25 Dec 1901 Capt Bertram of the WPMR decided to re-occupy Tontelboschkolk.

 

Leaving Sutherland late evening with 80 men, he relied on night marches to evade the Rebels. He was not aware that the Boer commandos were busy harvesting wheat on the farm, and, as his column crossed the Fish River at daybreak on the 27th December, they were spotted by sentries.

 

The Boers had excellent cover in the farmhouses, kraals and the forts and easily succeeded in “convincing” Bertram to retreat with 5 of his men wounded.