Fort Amiel Museum
Encyclopedia
Fort Amiel Museum is in Newcastle
KwaZulu-Natal
, South Africa
.
Fort Amiel was constructed in 1876 by Major Charles Frederick Amiel and soldiers of the 80th Staffordshire Volunteers
. It was built as a fort and "look-out post", for the British during the run up to the annexation of the former Transvaal and the Zulu War
, although it really never served that purpose.
During the First Boer War
it was used as a garrison for the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
.
Fort Amiel served as a commissariat depot, transit camp and hospital. Many wounded soldiers were taken there, to recover from their wounds. The fort is positioned on a knoll overlooking the original wagon drift across the Ncandu River. It has majestic views of the Drakensburg mountain range and the town of Newcastle.
Major Charles Frederick Amiel was born on 2 August 1822, in Hanover Square, London
, England. He was christened on 2 August 1822 in St Peter, Chertsey, Surrey, England
. Major Amiel died on 10 September 1885 at London, England. He was buried at St Peter, Westminster, London. Amiel never married.
The fort and surroundings,including a graveyard below the knoll fell into disuse for many years. In 1979 the site was declared a National Monument
and restoration work began after the discovery of the original plans for the fort were discovered during this period in a London Museum. The restoration work was undertaken by the visionary Newcastle Town Council and in conjunction with the Natal Museum Services.
Today,Fort Amiel houses an historic/cultural museum.Military displays of the two Anglo-Boer Wars. There is a wonderful cookhouse re-construction, this shows a typical British Army Base found in the 1880s.
An addition to the fort and museum is a Zulu Umuzi(Hut) with a detailed interior.
Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal
Newcastle is the third largest city and urban center in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Newcastle is located in the North West corner of the province along the Ncandu River and is moderately industrial....
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Fort Amiel was constructed in 1876 by Major Charles Frederick Amiel and soldiers of the 80th Staffordshire Volunteers
80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers)
The 80th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, created in 1793 and amalgamated into The South Staffordshire Regiment in 1881....
. It was built as a fort and "look-out post", for the British during the run up to the annexation of the former Transvaal and the Zulu War
Anglo-Zulu War
The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom.Following the imperialist scheme by which Lord Carnarvon had successfully brought about federation in Canada, it was thought that a similar plan might succeed with the various African kingdoms, tribal areas and...
, although it really never served that purpose.
During the First Boer War
First Boer War
The First Boer War also known as the First Anglo-Boer War or the Transvaal War, was fought from 16 December 1880 until 23 March 1881-1877 annexation:...
it was used as a garrison for the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
The King's Own Royal Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line of the British Army, which served under various titles from 1680 to 1959. Its lineage is continued today by the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.-History:...
.
Fort Amiel served as a commissariat depot, transit camp and hospital. Many wounded soldiers were taken there, to recover from their wounds. The fort is positioned on a knoll overlooking the original wagon drift across the Ncandu River. It has majestic views of the Drakensburg mountain range and the town of Newcastle.
Major Charles Frederick Amiel was born on 2 August 1822, in Hanover Square, London
Hanover Square, London
Hanover Square, London, is a square in Mayfair, London W1, England, situated to the south west of Oxford Circus, the major junction where Oxford Street meets Regent Street....
, England. He was christened on 2 August 1822 in St Peter, Chertsey, Surrey, England
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. Major Amiel died on 10 September 1885 at London, England. He was buried at St Peter, Westminster, London. Amiel never married.
The fort and surroundings,including a graveyard below the knoll fell into disuse for many years. In 1979 the site was declared a National Monument
National heritage sites (South Africa)
National heritage sites in South Africa are structures or defined areas of land declared to be of historic or cultural importance and granted certain legal protections...
and restoration work began after the discovery of the original plans for the fort were discovered during this period in a London Museum. The restoration work was undertaken by the visionary Newcastle Town Council and in conjunction with the Natal Museum Services.
Today,Fort Amiel houses an historic/cultural museum.Military displays of the two Anglo-Boer Wars. There is a wonderful cookhouse re-construction, this shows a typical British Army Base found in the 1880s.
An addition to the fort and museum is a Zulu Umuzi(Hut) with a detailed interior.