S. P. E. Trichard

S.P.E. Trichard
Born 23 January 1847
Ohrigstad
Died 1907 (aged 60)
Kenya
Occupation Boer soldier

Stephanus Petrus Erasmus Trichard[1] (23 January 1847, Ohrigstad[2] - October 1907, Kenya)[3] was the son of Carolus Tregardt, and the grandson of Louis Tregardt. He took part in most campaigns against rebellious African tribes in the ZAR, as well as the storming of Amajuba[2] in the First Boer War and the defence against the Jameson Raid. After his participation in the Second Boer War, he took part in an organized emigration to east Africa, where he died.

ZAR citizen and officer

As a young man he participated in the ZAR's campaigns against Mapoch, the Swazis and Sekhukhune.[4][4] During the people's assembly at Paardekraal he is elected fieldcornet of Middelburg and the neighbourhood of Olifants River, and shortly afterwards takes part in the military operations at Bronkhorstspruit and Majoeba.[4][4] Initially he was commander in Middelburg, in which time he played an active role during military expeditions against Mapoch (1883–1884), Malaboch, Modjadji and Makgoba (1894–1895).[4][4]

State artilerist

Shortly after Trichard and the Middelburg commando make an important contribution to the fight against dr. Jameson and his fellow invaders (1896), he is promoted in 1897 to commander of the State Artillery. The post was vacant after the death of Lt.-Col. Henning P. N. Pretorius (1844–1897), and Trichard's appointment was not undisputed among the officers of the State Artillery. In the same year the State Artillery undertakes the Swaziland expedition and in 1898 action is taken against Magato.[4] The State Artillery is already regarded as a close elite corps thanks to his predecessor,[4] but under Trichard it would be modernized and expanded.

Second Boer War

Lt.-Col. Trichard and general Piet Joubert were opposed to the building of forts around Pretoria, and Trichard in the run-up to the Second Boer War advocated a more lenient policy towards England.[4][4] During the Second Boer War he fought on the Natal front, where he was involved at Dundee and Ladysmith. Then he fell back with the Boers to the Orange Free State and was involved in the conflicts at Brandfort and later on at Donkerhoek in the ZAR.

At the battle of Dalmanutha in August 1900 he successfully demonstrated the State Artillery's abilities,[4] but it would also ring their unit's death bell. The cannons' usefulness in the coming war phase had come to an end and they had to be systematically destroyed. The corps was divided into different units, and in October 1900 the Transvaal Executive Board had to declare Trichard's post redundant. However, retaining his rank, he led a division of the Middelburg commando until the end of the war.[4]

As a previously wealthy farmer from the Middelburg district Colonel Trichard submitted a claim for damages after conclusion of peace. The £300 which was offered to him, he threw at the officer's feet.[5][5] His experiences during the Second Boer War he recorded in about 110 pages.[4][4][6]

Land seeker

Colonel Trichard's son Charles (C.J.) now considered the possibility of emigration to Madagascar, an area which was explored years before by his grandfather Carolus. The Trichards are among a group of "bittereinders" (diehards) on January 7, 1903 who attend a planning meeting in Ermelo. The six men who form part of a delegation here for a Landseeking expedition to German East Africa to explore for settlement, have excluded the Trichards for the time being. Colonel Trichard however does join the dozen of the Great Commission, under the leadership of Piet C. Joubert, who departs from Lourenco Marques in May 1904.[5][5] On Trichard's insistence they visit Madagascar, which was also examined as a destination by the Reitz brothers and general Maritz. They visit Tamatawe and Tananariwe, and received by the governor general Gallieni, who authorizes them to undertake a fact finding journey. After exploring the east coast decide against settling because of three reasons, namely the official status of the Catholic Church, endemic malaria and the strong oriental influences.

From Madagascar they travel to Dar es Salaam, where they renew the negotiations of 1903. They receive permission to view the environment of Mount Meru, and return soon after to the Transvaal, where their plans are completed in July 1904. in 1905 Trichard and his son Charles depart together with the Piet Joubert-trek to German East Africa.[5] He eventually settles at Nakuru in Kenya, but dies there during a hunting trip in October 1907.[3][3]

References

  1. ↑ OJO Ferreira indicates his names as S. P. Elardus
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Erasmus Registry et al
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Vandag - in die ou dae", Beeld (Johannesburg), 23 Januarie 1986 Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 Ploeger, Dr. Jan (1976). "Geschiedenis, werken en streven van S.P.E. Trichard (boekbespreking)". Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies 6 (3). Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Du Toit, Brian M. (1998). The Boers in East Africa: Ethnicity and Identity. pp. bladsye 41–44, 180. ISBN 978-0897896115.
  6. ↑ Ferreira, O.J.O. (December 1975), Geschiedenis, Werken En Streven Van SPE Trichard, Luitenant Kolonel Der Vroegere Staats-artillerie ZAR Door Hemzelve Beschreven, Pretoria: RGN-drukkery, ISBN 978-0-86965-240-4