TOPIC:

I am researching a structure that may be a British Blockhouse. As far as I know this particular structure has not been documented, however there are references to its existence in City Council Minutes of 1906 and further references to W.A.J O'Meara of the Royal Engineers who was responsible for municipal affairs. I am requesting the advice from a specialist to assist me in identifying the physical structure. It is well preserved and built from cut dressed stonework. It has vertical rifle loopholes and vertical rectangular openings. It will be important to date the masonry work to validate it as an original blockhouse as well as any factual records of its construction or photographs dating its authenticity.

Any advice welcome!

The Hall Handbook of the Anglo-Boer War (UN Press, Pietermaritzburg, 1999) has a short section on blockhouses, which includes two photographs. (There must be hundreds of pictures of blockhouses in other books on the ABW.)
Included is the following:
"Royal Engineers' factories, making the material required for the construction of blockhouses, were established across the country. Where possible the same design was followed, so parts were interchangeable, and could be sent anywhere in the country where blockhouses were being built. However, not all blockhouses were the same as photographs reproduced here indicate."

It is also stated that the size of blockhouses varied, some accommodating, "as few as seven men, but many were held by more."

I hope that you are able to confirm that 'your' building is indeed a blockhouse.

Regards
Brett

Blockhouses like you described were built during the war.

Can you post a picture - it may have been photographed during the war.

Brett

Thanks for your reply. I will track down the Hall Handbook. I have seem many photos, however not of this structure.
I will post a photo in response to SWB

Thanks Michael

Current photos of the stone structure attached to the stone retaining wall along Louis Botha Av, Berea, Johannesburg
At this stage I have found references to this being a Blockhouse, found in the City Of Johannesburg Council minutes of 1906.
I am search for evidence that will uncover the authenticity of the structure. It may have been built after the war as a lookout post as the country was under British Military rule from 1902 to 1910.

It has also been described as a chamber for a water chlorinator. No evidence to support this either.

What is clear is that the bus shelter was built at road level in 1932. It may have been an add on or more likely a conversion as the stone work looks consistent from the bottom. To the right of the structure there is evidence that another structure was linked to it. The staircase leading up to the road level is also built with the same stonework.

Any information will assist this research.

Thanks Michael

Thanks for the photos.

I've not seen a Blockhouse incorporated into a wall like that, and why build one in an urban area (assuming this was an urban area in 1900-1902)?

Regards
Meurig