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Battlefield Wanderers

A collection of military history and battlefields by Midge Carter and Trish Woodman

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You are here: Home / Forts and blockhouses / KwaZulu Natal

KwaZulu Natal

Fort Durnford, Estcourt

Fort Durnford is now a museum. It is a substantial fort with walls that are two feet thick and 30 feet high and heavily barred windows throughout, originally fitted with iron shutters set on hinges spiked to the walls. Under the fort there are various tunnels that allowed the British to move supplies through the area and used as a hidden escape route into the hills.

Fort Durnford
Fort Durnford was built out of local sandstone in a strong rectangular shape with thick and high walls. It was built to serve as a stronghold on a rise overlooking the old military post at Bushman’s River drift.
Fort Durnford

 

Fort Dartnell, Estcourt

This fort was demolished in 1973.

Fort Dartnell
Fort Dartnell

Fort Nongqayi, Eshowe, Zululand

Fort Nongqayi
Fort Nongqayi

Fort Pine, near Dundee

This was built by the Royal Engineers in 1878 for the protection of civilians after the Battle of Isandhlwana. As you can see it was in ruins in 1974.

Fort Pine
Fort Pine
Midge’s bike near the well, Fort Pine
Midge’s bike near the well
Fort Pine
Photo of the interior, taken from the wall in 1974

 

The Old Fort, Durban

This fort is now a peaceful park It reminds us of the exhausting ride by Dick King and Ndongeni to Grahamstown, to seek help for the British Garrison who were besieged by the Boers here. There is an excellent museum nearby. In our book are photos and descriptions of the ride.

The Old Fort Durban

On this plaque it says: On the 26th May 1824 Dick King set off from this fort on his memorable ride to His Honour Colonel Hare CB, KH at Grahamstown, Lt Governor of the Frontier, asking help for Her Majesty’s forces besieged here by the insurgent Boers.

Ndongeni's great-great grandson

Ndongeni’s great-great grandson in front of Dick King’s statue in Durban, 1966. Ndongeni had ridden bareback and his legs were rubbed raw, so he was unable to complete the ride.

Pom-Pom Bridge

Jean Carter sitting on the remains of Pom-Pom Bridge, near Hart’s Hill, as it was in 1967
Jean Carter (top right) sitting on the remains of Pom-Pom Bridge, near Hart’s Hill, as it was in 1967

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