Hendrik Prinsloo

Hendrik Frederik Prinsloo (18 August 1890 – 20 November 1966) was a South African army officer. As a 12-year-old boy, he was interned by the British in a concentration camp during the Anglo-Boer War but served alongside the British in the South African forces during the two World Wars. He is best remembered for the humanitarian manner in which he, as commandant, ran the Zonderwater Italian prisoner of war camp.

Early life Prinsloo was the son of commandant Hendrik Frederik Prinsloo (1861–1900), who commanded the Carolina Boer Commando at the Battle of Spion Kop and was killed in action at Witkloof, and his wife, Cecilia Maria Steyn. In 1926, Boer and Briton erected a monument to commemorate his gallantry at Witkloof.

He was also a direct descendant of Hendrik Frederik Prinsloo (1784–1816), who was executed for his involvement in the Slagter's Nek rebellion in 1815.

Military career

During the Boer Revolt of 1914, Prinsloo sided with the South African government forces. On 12 January 1915, he was appointed "honorary lieutenant, supernumerary list (Active Citizen Force)". During his subsequent service in German South West Africa he became aide-de-camp to Colonel Commandant WR Collins from January to August 1915. In his address to a 1947 reunion of Middlesex Regiment officers, he mentioned that members of the regiment had served under his command. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. The appointment of Colonel Hendrik Prinsloo OBE as commanding officer was inspired. As a result of his efforts Zonderwater became one of the best functioning military camps in South Africa.

There was an improvement in living conditions, which included the establishment of an orchestra and a 10 000 book library, craft exhibitions and art classes. Illiteracy dropped from 30% to 2%. In short, life at Zonderwater was as close to civilian life for the prisoners, all due to Colonel Prinsloo who cared for his charges.

Recognition Prinsloo was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and was Mentioned in Despatches for services in the First World War. He received the Efficiency Decoration on 11 April 1944 and was made an Officer of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire on 14 June 1945.

Civilian life Between World War I and World War II, Prinsloo was a farmer in the Ermelo in the Eastern Transvaal district.

He was at one time president of the Eastern Transvaal Agricultural Union and distinguished himself at sport, particularly at horse-riding.

In 1940, he doffed his uniform to win the Provincial Council by-election in the constituency of Carolina, and represented it in the Transvaal Provincial Council for six years.

Family life Prinsloo's first wife, Stephanie Cecilia Weidner, died on 19 November 1941, leaving two children. On 10 April 1946, he married Grace Madeleine Sedgwick.

Death Prinsloo died in Ermelo, South Africa, on 20 November 1966.