Boer POWs Returning to the British Annexed Colony

The first batch of Boers to leave these shores, numbering about 400, was brought to Colombo from Koagoda statiou by a special train. Lieut. Gairncross was the chief of the five officers included in the draft, and the Boers were under no escort beyond the supervisory control of a few non-commissioned officers of the Gloucesters.

A fact most noticeable was the large majority of young men in the party. There were very few who conformed to the common characteristics of the orthodox bearded Boer, namely slouching gait and easy indifferent temper. They were one and all without exception in high glee at their departure, and placed great premium on the fortunate prospect of getting home in the ploughing season, and just at the proper time to "set them on their legs".

Nearly a month later, on the 7th of August to be exact, a second batch of 400 Boers left Ceylon by the transport "Englishman". In keeping with what, happened on the previous occasion, the embarkation was carried out as quietly as possible. This draft too was primarily composed of prisoners-of-war from Urugas, only 33 of them having been drawn from Diyatalawa. There were as many as 26 officers, who wore the distinguishing mark of a red puggerie on their headgear, and included, among others:

• • • Commandant Joubert (a son of the late Commander- in-chief of the Boer Army),
    • Von Mall,
    • Crowther,
    • H. P. Steyn,
    • J. M. de Beer,
    • J. Raux,
    • Van Mallibz (India),
    • John Sb.uyl (India),
    • P. Broil,
    • J. H. Meiring (India),
    • Field Cornet Heyns,
    • C. A. Van Zyl,
    • P. de Ploey,
    • Horak, and
    • Muller.

The majority were Free Staters (OVS) who had farms of their own. Their affluence was reflected by the character of the kit that each man carried—cameras and kodaks being greatly in, evidence.