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A tribute to the soldiers aboard HM Transport Birkenhead

On 26th February 1852, the bravery of the soldiers aboard the troopship HM Transport Birkenhead made history and set the precedent of "Women and Children First" as naval protocol throughout the world.

This website was established to bring tribute to these gallant men and to promote the 150th Commemoration of the sinking of the Birkenhead

Headline: 160th commemoration of the sinking of the Birkenhead.

Date: 24 - 26 february 2012

  • 24 Feb @ 19h00: Cheese & Wine Social
  • 25 Feb @ 07h00?: Boat trip to Birkenhead Rock
  • 26 Feb @ 11h00: Memorial Service at Danger Point Lighthouse

Preliminary Program:
On Saturday 25 February 2011 at approximately 07:00 a  few boats will depart from Kleinbaai launching harbour to lay wreathes on the Birkenhead rock.  A small rememberance ceremony will be conducted at sea.

Members of the public, who'd like to participate in this ceremony, should please advise the Gansbaai Tourism Office at gansbaaimanager@telkomsa.net.


On Sunday 26 February 2011 a memorial service and wreathes laying ceremony will be held to honour all those who perished in the Birkenhead tragedy.

Date: Sunday 26 February 2011
Time:11:00
Venue: Dangerpoint Lighthouse (Birkenhead Memorial)

More information and RSVP:
Glenda Kitley: 072 291 5564 or
Hanrie Jacobs: 028 384 1439

On Saturday the 23rd of February 2002 a commemoration ceremony honouring all those who perished in the Birkenhead tragedy was held at Danger Point close to the town of Gansbaai in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. 

The program of events and photos of the event are still available on this website. 

 

 

The following people contributed towards the establishment of the website: 
Casper Geldenhuys, who initiated the idea of creating a site and who gave continuous input and help  
David Bevan, author of the book "Stand Fast", who gave permission to use anything from his book 
Jimmy Herbert, who provided lots of digital images and content - especially about the salvage operations 
The Website is hosted by MAXITEC and maintained by Jurie Steenekamp

Please send any comments or ideas to the webmaster: webmaster@overberg.co.za

 

IN MEMORY OF THOSE 
WHO PERISHED


The original memorial plaque at the foot of the Danger Point Lighthouse, near Gansbaai.  The plaque was erected by the Navy League of South Africa in 1936.


Casper Geldenhuys next to the
Birkenhead Memorial, approximately
300 metres from the lighthouse.

 

 

The Birkenhead Memorial, near the Danger Point Lighthouse in Gansbaai.

The position of the rock is in line with the 
groove at the top-edge of the memorial and 
about 1500 metres from the coast.

Photo  Copyright © JJ Steenekamp 2001

 

Most of the information on this website was obtained from the book "Stand Fast", 
with permission from the author, David Bevan.

 


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