TOPIC:

My great-uncle, Private Rowland W Alderson of 73rd (Paget's Horse) Company was killed at Trenanfontein (as we knew it to be called) on 21st January 1902. Rather gruesomely, we have the bullet that apparently killed him.

Hello Gauntlet,

Coincidentally, I have recently started a topic on souvenir bullets of the sort you mention.

See: Bullets that found their mark - a few examples

I would be very interested to see a photograph of your example.

Neville

Hi Gauntlet,
Welcome to the forum, I do not know if you are aware, but my first search for your relative finds home serving with the 51st Imperial Yeomanry (Paget's Horse) and following his death, interred at Treuerfontein (Steve Watt in "In Memoriam" 2000).
Also, commemorated on the South African War Memorial at Duncombe Place in York, which ties in with another thread on this forum.

Gauntlet - you should find this 4 year old post by Rory of interest:

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...1-january-1902#69854

From my investigations Trenafontein/Trenanfontein never did exist & Treurfontein changed its name to Coligny in 1923 and lies about 130 miles WSW of Pretoria. One of my 200+ Smethwickians was "severely wounded" there on 21/01/1902 whilst serving in the 102nd Company of the Imperial Yeomanry. When the War Office reported casualties at Trenafontein, Newspaper editors of the day asked "Where is Trenafontein?" thinking some sort of cover up was afoot.

Gauntlet, David

Here is Treurfontein (2) on Jeppe's 1899 map.

There is also a Treurfontein (201), but that is just south of the Waterval Boven POW camp (45 miles south of Lydenburg).












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Gents, is Trenanfontein correct? The Dutch word for tears is Tranen which would make Tranenfontein a closer match for Treurfontein (mourning or grieving). Just an idea.