Overview
    Identifiers
    Inventory Number
    2530CA36
    Site Name
    Battle of Berg-en-Dal Rifle Brigade Memorial, Berg-en-Dal, Belfast District
    Site Category
    Record Administration
    Author
    Boitumelo.Mokgosi
    Last modified
    Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 21:26
    Monuments & Memorials Recordings
    Identifiers
    Inventory Reference
    Primary?
    On
    Site Recording Admin Comments
    There are two (2) memorials, the large pylon for Boers and small stone pyramid for British, on Berg-en-dal farm. The Bergendal battle fought on the 27th of August 1900, represents the Boers, the courage of their men in the face of overwhelming odds. It also represented the last stand of the ZARPS (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek Polisie), force of 74, as a unit, commanded by Sarel Oosthuizen of whom, 40 were killed or injured in the ensuing battle featuring heavy artillery fire. This unit and others faced General Redvers Buller’s force of 9000 men, comprising the 2nd Rifle Brigade, 2nd Gordon Highlanders,1st Devonshire Regiment, and Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, with 42 guns. Their losses included six officers and 19 men, attempting to break the 80 km Boer lines, of 5000 men, under the command of General Louis Botha, between Machadodorp and Belfast. Bergendal was at the center of this line, where the main offensive took place, by the above mentioned units. This battle was the culmination of the British offensive that had commenced on the 21st of August, including prior engagements at Amersfort and Geluk. This battle resulted in the retreat of the Boers and the British taking Waterval Boven; and the Boers retreating east on Nelspruit. This was the last fixed battle of the Boers, who then resorted to guerrilla tactics. The battle was described as a “British victory without glory, and a Boer defeat without shame”.Purpose:Date Unveiled: Designer: Builder: Person/Institution Commemorated: Recorder Name: Sibongile Masombuka.
    Classifications
    Description

    The Stone cairn memorial was erected in memory of the 25 Officers and men of the 2nd Battalion, the Rifle Brigade who died in the battle of Berg-en-dal during the Anglo-Boer War.

    Original Position
    This is a replica of the original Memorial (circa 1905) which was demolished in 1970 to make way for the nearby Boer Memorial.
    Contains Animal figures?
    No
    Contains Human figures?
    No
    Construction Date Comment
    1994
    Construction Materials
    Stones, concrete and cement.
    Pedestal Material
    Stone.
    Event Commemorated
    Battle of Berg-en-dal (also known as the Battle of Belfast or Battle of Dalmanutha), which took place in South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War.
    Inscriptions
    This memorial commemorates the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade of the 25 Officers and men who died in action, or died from wounds received in action at Bergendal, 27 August 1900.
      Location
      Location
      Mapping
      -25.735195, 30.102962
      Mpumalanga
      • Nkangala
      • Emakhazeni
      Directions to Site
      Along Posselt Road in Clermont KwaZulu-Natal, travel until you reach a turn off taking you into Twentieth Road on your right. Along Twentieth Road travel until you pass Krauser Road on your right. After passing Krauser Road, travel a short distance and take a right turn on the next community road which will lead you to the church.
      Access details
      Accessible to the Public without permission.
      Media
      Images uploaded directly to Site
      Images uploaded to linked Site Recordings