South African War
(Anglo-Boer War)
East London 1901 Visit the Boer War picture gallery |
South African War(Anglo-Boer War) |
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 The Concentration Camp |
Mansion House Fund |
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When the South African War erupted in October 1899, it affected more than just the two Boer republics. East London became the disembarkation point for thousands of British troops as well as the departure port for Boer prisoners of war while loyalty to Britain saw the formation of a Town Guard. Anti-Boer sentiment erupted at the port causing a marked division amongst its citizens. Uitlander refugees swarmed into the town creating a humanitarian headache. Finally, as the war was nearing its end, a concentration camp was established on the outskirts of the town to accommodate Boer women and children. |
Anglo-Boer War: An Introduction
British Imperialism and the Anglo-Boer War
The East London Town Guard
Anti-German Sentiment at East London
The Uitlander Refugees and East London
The Mansion House Fund
The East London Concentration Camp
Soon after the outbreak of war, Uitlander refugees flocked into the coastal towns of southern Africa, causing a massive logistical headache for the authorities. In response to this crisis, the Lord Mayor of London established the Mansion House Fund for the relief of victims of the war. Some 5000 refugees arrived at East London within a matter of two months. This is their story. |
Uitlander Refugee Crisis
The Mansion House Fund
Mansion House Expenditure
Relief Statistics for East London
Register of Relief at East London
During the war, Lord Kitchener attempted to shorten the conflict by incarcerating the Boer women and children. This policy became an international scandal. In 1902, therefore, with his concentration camp policy in tatters, new camps were established near the coastal towns. One of these was at East London. |
The Concentration Camp
List of Buildings at the Camp
Rules and Regulations at the Camp
Sickness, Births, Marriages and Deaths at the Camp
