Orange River Colony

[Lynda Marie]

I have a picture postcard that contains a photo of 7 men with rifles on the front and with "Martins Rust Vet River /Orange River Colony /South Africa /1901" hand written on the back of it.

Two of the men are identified. Can someone please tell me what the information in quotes refers to.

Thank you in advance
Lynda

[Sue Mackay]

The Orange River Colony was the name the Orange Free State was known by after the Boer War until 1910. There is more information here. I can't immediately see a river of that name on my map of the Free State, but that doesn't mean there isn't one

[stickymone]

I wonder if it refers to the Vet River which is in the OFS There were entrenchments at Vet River during the Boer war, if you Google it you'll find a few headings

Stickymone

[Lynda Marie]

Thank you ladies for your responses. I did do a google search and have found that the Vet River does exist near Bloemfontein. That ties in with another picture I have of my great grandmother who went to South Africa to be with her husband. In that picture she has a handkerchief tucked into her sweater with the word "Bloemfontein" on it. That ties the two together. I have still not figured out the "Martins Rust" part of the writing but I will keep looking.

I appreciate your kind, speedy responses to my query.
Lynda

[stickymone]

Thank you ladies for your responses.

My pleasure, however I would like to point out I'm no lady I prefer to stand rather than sit, if you get my drift

Stickymone

[v.wells]

Lynda Marie - just a thought but could this be a another name for Martin's Roost, Vet River,? Maybe a name for a local hill/look out.

[stickymone]

Lynda Marie - just a thought but could this be a another name for Martin's Roost, Vet River,? Maybe a name for a local hill/look out.

Following on with Vanessa's idea, the Afrikaans word rus(t) can be translated as 'rest' so how about Martin's Rest?

Stickymone

[v.wells]

That sounds really plausible Stickymone

[Lynda Marie]

My pleasure, however I would like to point out I'm no lady I prefer to stand rather than sit, if you get my drift

Stickymone

So sorry Stickmone. Lesson learned. I still appreciated your response, I did find references to the Vet River but not to Martens rest or roost - not yet anyway.

Lynda