TOPIC:

Served: Johannesburg Politie.

Sarel Johannes Petrus Bloem, ZARP (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek Politie, Johannesburg Politie), served under Kommandant van Dam, and saw action inter alia at the Siege of Ladysmith, Donkerhoek (Battle of Diamond Hill), Dalmanutha (Battle of Bergendal). Bloem was taken prisoner (POW no. 11977) at Dalmanutha on 27 August 1900 (one of the nineteen prisoners captured by the British) and sent to St. Helena.

Sarel Johannes Petrus Bloem was born in May 1869 in Fauresmith. He was
one of the nine children of Charel and Anna Bloem. Sarel married Susanna Johanna Catharine Aletta Nell with whom he had 7 children. Sarel stated occupation later in life was builder. He died at the age of 55 in Johannesburg in July 1924.

Sarel and Anna, sometime after the war.


Sarel Bloem’s Boer War exploits are described in Tunguska’s previous post. Bloem was one of Commandant van Dam’s corps of 400 policemen (ZARP’s) who left Johannesburg on October 25, 1899 and fought with great distinction in various battles, including the famous battle at Berg-en-dal (Dalmanutha) late August 1900 during which the unit was all but decimated. Bloem was taken prisoner on August 27 at Dalmanutha and spent the rest of the war as POW on St. Helena. He returned to South Africa on September 1, 1902. Bloem successfully applied for the ABO medal in 192(1?) and listed his participation under Commandant van Dam in battles at Ladysmith, Rasfontein, Kolsberg (Colesberg), Abramskraal, Boshof, Pretoria, Donkerhoek (Diamond Hill) Wonderfontein and Dalmanutha.

A small collection of items from around the Boer War that were left by Sarel Bloem gives a little more context to the story.

A letter dated 22 January 1906 from his parents Charel and Anna at Geijsdorp addressed to Sarel and another sibling with news about their health (not too good), financial matters and commiserating the loss of three of their children.

An excerpt of the letter.


An entry in his chequebook shows that on October 25, 1899, the day he left Johannesburg, Bloem cashed a cheque for 15 Ponden. His final activity on his checking account occurred on 15 May 1900 when he took out 80 Ponden. It is not clear where he cashed the cheque, but the timing coincides with many ZAR and OVS citizens cashing out their accounts when the respective capitals of the Republics were about to be occupied by Robert’s forces. These withdrawals do not necessarily mean that Sarel carried (for the time) substantial sums with him on commando as it is more likely that he used the proceeds to provide for his family during his absence.

Sarel’s Chequebook


From his internment on St. Helena two items survive. The first is a Pass issue on September 22, 1901 allowing him to be outside the camp during certain hours. Curiously the permit is for Briars Camp, which probably refers to the terrain near the Briars Pavilion where Napoleon was housed during his exile on the island.




The other St. Helena item is a faded photograph of Sarel Bloem while taking a break from digging work on the island.




After the war Sarel borrowed 313 Pond Sterling through Repatriation Promissory Notes under the schemes that were set up by the British after the war to get the Boer Volk back on their feet. S.P. Nell, probably his father-in-law or another direct family member of Sarel’s wife, signed as surety and co-principal debtor.





And finally, a photograph of Sarel and his horse. Given he is not in Police uniform, this photograph was most likely taken after the war.

Thank you Everhard, a beautiful narrative masterfully composed from a few pieces of paper and faded photographs.