The British strategy in safeguarding the Cape Colony from a Boer invasion from the OFS, was to hold the line of rail running some 50-60 miles south of the Orange River and roughly parallel to it.

Each of the three junctions, De Aar, Naauwpoort and Stormberg was consequently garrisoned. De Aar, beging the most important of the three, was held by the Yorkshire Light Infantry under Lt Col Baxter, and a locally raised unit, REMINGTON SCOUTS.

De Aar became a vast military warehouse and on November 4, 1900, Gen Wood RE was sent to take over command of the area De Aar – Orange River. The defences were further strengthened and reconnaissances carried out. By the 20th December, 1899, the strength of the garrison had increased considerably to:

RFA – 2 guns
2nd Warwicks Regiment
1st Yorkshire Regiment
1st Essex Regiment
Two Companies Mounted Infantry
Details (medicals, engineers etc)

De Aar figured in active operations mid-December when Gen Hertzog, after crossing the Orange River at Zand Drift thirty miles north of Colesberg, moved south into the Cape Colony. He occupied Philipstown on 19 December, but found his passage to the south blocked by a strong British force at Hanover Road, so he moved to the west, engaged an armoured train at Houtkraal on the De Aar – Orange river railway line, and passed some of his men across the line at this point. The remainder crossed to the south of De Aar. Both sections converged on Britstown, and on the way there overwhelmed four Yeomany companies which had been sent against him from De Aar.

Early in January Gen de Wet also crossed the Orange River approximately thirty miles west of Philippolis and marches westwards to operate in the De Aar – Prieska – Douglas – Hopetown area, skirting the Orange River, until February 28th when he crossed the river at Botha’s Drift about fiteen miles south-east of Philippolis not far from where he crossed over into the Cape earlier that month. Close on his heels, moving further south, followed Gen Hertzog who crossed the railway line De Aar – Hopetown on his way back to the OFS.

During the build-up for Lord Methuen’s attack on Magersfontein and for Lord Roberts’s march on Bloemfontein (mid-January 1900) which entailed the concentration of thousands of men, animals, guns vehicles and thousand of tons of
military stores on the short section of line between Oranje River and Modder River stations, De Aar became the controlling centre of the entire operation. Large reserves of rations were built up in the advance supply depot there. Units arriving from overseas were issued with their load carrying transport and other stores required on the advance. De Aar was now a major forward holding centre comprising also remounts, ordnance and medical stores depots and a military hospital centre, and played a major role in the British Field Force operations in South-Africa.

All our chalets, units, rooms are fully equipped with bedding, towels, kitchenware, TV, fridge, braai, etc. The chalets without air conditioning have heaters for use in winter and fans for use in summer. Although the chalets are fully equipped, guests can enjoy dinner and breakfast in the restaurant at the Farmstall. Dinner must be booked in advance.

Karoo-Aster & Bietou:
2 units with air conditioning, a double bed, a single bed and a sleeper couch (all in one room), kitchen, bathroom with bath/shower combination. Sleeps 4/5.

Boegoe & Keurtjie:
2 luxury chalets with air conditioning, a double bed in the bedroom, single bed & sleeper couch in the living area, kitchen with microwave, bathroom with bath & shower. Sleeps 4/5.

Asbos & Rolbos:
2 chalets without air conditioning, 5 single beds (2 beds in living area and 3 beds in small bedroom), kitchen, bathroom with shower. Sleeps 5.

Granaatbos:
1 big chalet without air conditioning, 6 single beds (2 beds in living area and 4 beds in bedroom), kitchen, bathroom with shower. Sleeps 6.

You can buy chops, sosaties and boerewors at the farmstall. Wonderful starlight and quiet nights!

We also have a playground for children and a beautiful hiking trail. All the shrubs and plants along the trail have been marked and identified.

GPS Coordinates:  S30°-25-00.3 E23°-33-56.1

Established in 1907, the Central Hotel in Britstown remained in the hands of the Klass family for 66 years. In the beginning the building was just a corrugated iron structure that catered as a stopover for the diggers traveling to and from the diamond fields at Kimberley. The current building was erected in 1945 and it became a favourite vacation place, drawing mainly Jewish clientele from both the Reef and Cape Town.

Then in 1973 the old place along the N12 was bought by current owners Rian and Adlene Potgieter, who later gave the building a full facelift, and made quite extensive alterations to accommodate a sparkling pool and better function areas. The number of rooms stayed at 40, but some were enlarged and others received en suite bathrooms, and now there is a choice of luxury, standard or budget.

A few years ago the place was renamed to Transkaroo Country Lodge, and the decor gradually changed to an elegant and comfortable homely atmosphere. Now guests are pampered by hosts Rian and Adlene, and spoiled with wholesome Karoo food from a restaurant that has twice received a coveted international award for cuisine excellence.

This lodge is a wonderful area from where to explore the Britstown region, including the magical star gazing tours conducted by local Dutch Reformed Dominee Nico Kriek, whose knowledge of astronomy is quite remarkable.

Olive Schreiner’s husband, Cron, had his office in the building that can be seen opposite the southern corner.

There’s an obelisk in memory of three young South African men who were executed during the Anglo-Boer War. This event deeply touched the lives of Hanover inhabitants because the men were not guilty of the crime they were charged with – derailing and plundering a train and therefore ‘maliciously assisting Boer forces’.

They were tried on somewhat dubious authority by a military court at De Aar, and in spite of protesting their innocence to the end, they were shot by a British firing squad. A Boer general later stated that his commando was responsible for the derailment and after the war, he joined Olive and Cron Schreiner in a lengthy campaign to clear the three men’s names.

The town’s first magistrate, Charles Richard Beere, built the footpath, and a monument to his memory has been erected at the top. It’s said that Olive Schreiner often used to climb up Trappieskop early in the morning, and where you will see the views of up to 80km in all directions, its obvious why.

There’s a second koppie (hill) with the remains of a British fort, and a reservoir, and on summer evenings thousands of Lesser Kestrels may be seen circling the hills around sunset.

Tours inside prior by arrangement.

At one stage, her strong political views resulted in her being put under house arrest by the British forces for being a ‘Boer supporter’. Samuel was the first attorney in Hanover during the Anglo-Boer War.

The house they lived in is now a National monument and can only be viewed from outside.

Tel : 053-6311622