Deadwood Camp Gedenksboek
De Krijgsgevangene No 5 newspaper
This document was sourced courtesy of "Government Archives in Jamestown " and Wilf Vevers
Translation to English via J Marsh
(Author's copyright reserved)
IN MEMORIAM
OUR DEPARTED
The list below is of all the PoWs [Prisoners of War] who have passed away since our arrival on St Helena. The fact that the number has only reached thirty-seven shows that the island cannot be regarded as unhealthy. Should any of our readers find errors, we are prepared and indeed anxious to correct these in our following issue, since it is our desire to publish a correct list, which would be useful to all our readers. From time to time we shall add to this list as new deaths (which may God prevent) occur.
We may not leave the subject without praising our fellow PoWs who serve as orderlies in the Hospital in Jamestown, and to whom thanks is due for their caring nursing which largely ensured that the list is not even longer. Currently those tasked with this rewarding function are Messrs C.M.J. Slabbert, J.H.G. McKenzie, Fred Osborne, C.P. Cornellissen, and A. Leeuwen; while Messrs P. Nielsen and W. Mondriaan were also involved earlier.
The following are the names of the departed from 23rd April 1900 to 2 July, 1901:-
All would agree with us when we speak of the desirability of putting the large amounts of time we now have to the best possible purpose. And what, you ask, would be of greatest value to us, especially to the youngsters among us, than to use the opportunity to improve our education?
We have schools in our camp where anyone can enjoy the services of capable teachers, for free, while the schools are well supplied with the necessary books etc. thanks to the generosity of our friends in Holland. That many already make use of this is reflected in the fact that when the last school inspection took place, a whole class - who had started in standard three - were one and all promoted to standard six.
To reach this standard one must have achieved a reasonable level, which reflects well not only on the teachers, but also on the youngsters who, through their application and ingenuity, made it possible for the teachers to reward their efforts - because progress made by pupils reflects on their teachers.
We must also give credit and honour to the teachers. They give their time and services enthusiastically to benefit the growing generation, and they benefit our nation as a result.
Because the more educated a nation the more highly [capable] they are regarded by other
Countries, and the more able they are to fulfil their social responsibilities.
We expect not to be able to take much luggage back with us when we return home. But a good education does not increase your weight and takes up no extra space; nevertheless it is worth more than a whole shipload of curios or any type of trade articles.
So, young men, make full use of this freely offered opportunity and learn as much as possible while you are sitting in exile. Then you will be able to look back on this exile with gratitude, and your countrymen will be able to witness that you did not spend your time idly, and blessing could flow through your exile.
We hope to place an article in a future issue describing our Camp schools and the good work they are doing. It shall - we are assured - be of interest to all our readers, old and young, near and far.
Are invited for the making of
50 IRON SIGNS
for the graves of our late PoWs.
Size: 3 ft x 3 inches x ˝ inch.
Details available from the Secretary of the Gravestone Committee
Mr F.J. van D Mathey
Before Saturday 13th July 1901.
DEBATING SOCIETY
In branch A the same subject matter was discussed as on Monday the previous week by Branch B, viz: "Is it desirable to lead the natives into current civilization" and was met by the same result - no! The debate was handled by Messrs du Preez and Swanepoel, which is good reason to believe that the debating would have been well conducted.
Branch B - the monthly Journal was read out by Mr H. Rossouw. Many of the pieces were well written, and some very amusing. As far as sending in pieces is concerned, Branch B sets a good example to their elders in Branch A.
It is almost unnecessary to introduce this Society to the public of Deadwood Camp because it is known to most of us, but because this newspaper also finds its way to overseas lands, we think that it would no go amiss to tell our friends about one or two of the societies here.
The Society was founded on ss Bavaria in St Helena Bay on 9th May, 1900. It began with 8 members and currently counts around 160. At the start the Society experienced many difficulties but in time everything came right. For the first two months we had to meet in the open but by the middle of July were able to meet comfortably in a small
(20ft x 18ft) tin building; which itself was replaced by the beginning of December by a larger one. By the end of December it was split into four branches because there were so many members that they could not get into the meeting. Each section (branch) works independently. There is a central management, which oversees general activities.
Every meeting has a member of the central management team, who is responsible for that Branch to management. Once a month Biblical questions are answered. On every last meeting of each month the business matters are discussed, only after which new members are introduced. The purpose of the Society is to bring the young people together, to study the Bible together, to develop understanding, and as a child of God to try and live a more serious Christian life. We have what other youth organizations lack, but which we regard as absolutely necessary, a commitment in which every member promises, by God's grace, to read and study God's word every day; to attend as many meetings as possible having previously investigated and reflected upon the topic announced beforehand for each particular meeting. (We could credit the Christian Youth Society for this).
Every three months there is an election of office-bearers, because it is our intention to expose our young members to our work and our Society's methods so that they in turn can start and lead new branches. The Chairman leads the meeting himself, tries to keep it as lively as possible, and ensures that it takes no more than an hour. Members participate only by the reading of a Bible verse, or to say something in connection with the subject; after the subject has been discussed three short prayers are said: firstly, about the expansion of God's Kingdom by way of Societies, secondly about the general situation of the country and its people, and thirdly for a rapid and much desired peace.
Suitable songs taken from the children's harp [Kinderharp], hymns and psalms are sung at the gatherings. Some members also help out at the hospital by night vigils at the bedside of the patients.
The Youth Association in the Netherlands sends us their newsletter The Youth Messenger free with every Mailboat, while a group of ladies sends us books via the Honourable Mr J.Ph. Marmelstein. The Youth Association in Holland is greatly interested in our plight. We are very grateful for this.
Once in three months we hold a social; if we have money we buy what passes for 'refreshment', if we don't we are content without, and amuse ourselves by listening to recitations, readings, essays and speeches. We do not have plays because we do not have any books from which we might take scripts (if anybody overseas could send us something written in simple Dutch, use thereof could brighten our evenings!)
There is a monthly tribute (tithe) of ˝ penny, which, sadly, is in the rules but seldom in reality. That does not always get used up: - from 9 May 1900 to 31 March 1901 the expenses of the Society on stationery and cards etc was 8s 1d and we can say there is still something in the [cash] box. Now we hope that if there are some in our camp, those who have not taken part in any building up of Youth societies, they would do so having read this piece. We hope not to keep our readers for too long, and from time to time through the medium of this newspaper to share about the C.J.V. activities.
Football (Association)
The Association tournament was opened on Wednesday, 26 June, the competition on that day being as follows:-
On Saturday, 29th inst, the long talked of fights came off in Messrs, Young and Slabbert's new building, and went off very satisfactorily. Many were surprised at Levy's easy defeat by Kruger, but we consider the best man won. As usual the air is full of rumours of challenges, but from a financial point of view we advise would-be challengers to hang fire for a bit, as "oof" is not too plentiful in camp at present. Besides, one can have too much of a good thing.
We regret not to be able to give full details of the fight Ihrough want of space, which have to stand over for our next issue..
We are informed that if one gets a blow in the eye while boxing, it is a bad thing to blow ones nose just after, as this caused the eye to swell. This is a useful tip for Messrs Parker and Pienaar's pupils.
F.J. FICK
PHOTOGRAPHER
Mainly portraits, or groups, 6s per half-dozen. Mr F.J. Fick thanks the public for support already shown and hopes to enjoy same in the future.
IN FULL SWING
Te Huis
FOR PRISONERS OF WAR
MARKET STREET JAMESTOWN
All PoWs are assured of a hearty welcome.
Refreshments at lowest prices.
Here is a chance to spend an hour "AT HOME".
NEWSPAPERS and GAMES of all sorts are in the
READING ROOM.
Tired travelers from the Camp can sleep over in
clean, convenient and reasonably priced rooms.
CHARLIE TAYLOR
Owner and manager
ALL ARE WELCOME!
"De Krijgsgevangene" is exclusively obtainable in Jamestown from Mr A L INNES, Photographer.
PRINTED BY B. GRANT, "GUARDIAN" OFFICE.
PUBLISHED, BY FICK AND EVERITT AT DEADWOOD CAMP, ST HELENA
Agent at Broadbottom, Mr Carney.
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