Name/Title
Second Boer War - Spurs belonging to Field Cornet Jan Hendrik OlivierDescription
Jan Hendrik Olivier was born near Burgersdorp on 24th January 1848. He was the son of Jan Hendrick Olivier and Martha Sophia Olivier (nee Myburgh). At the age of 15 he joined the Orange Free State Border Police and by the age of 17, was serving as a Veldcornet (Field Cornet/Lieutenant). He saw action in the Basotho wars. He entered politics and became a member of the Free State Volksraad (Government) in 1883. At the start of the Boer War, he commanded the Rouxville and Thaba Nchu Commandos. His area of operation was Colesberg, Barkly East and Dordrecht.
He and his three sons were captured at Winburg on 27th August 1900 and ended up at the Diyatalawa POW camp in Ceylon; apparently via the ship Ranee II:
POW number 11569 - General Jan Hendrik Olivier age 52;
POW number 11570 - Veldkornet (Lieutenant) Jan Hendrik age 29;
POW number 11572 - Henning Jeremias age 24;
POW number 11571 - Barend Daniel age 18 (Secretary/Adjutant)
General (Assist. Hoofd Kommandant) Jan Hendrik Olivier died at Volksrust 30th May, 1930, and was apparently buried with full military colours.Acquisition
Acquisition Method
Donated to MMMAcquired From
Johan SteynProvenance
Provenance Detail
Johan SteynNotes
Sold to Steyn by Jan Hendrik Olivier's great great grandson