Today in Kimberley's History
February 8th
"Every day has a story about Kimberley's past."
On this day...
The eighth of February highlights both the resilience of Kimberley's citizens and the growing danger they faced during the Siege of Kimberley. Architect Fergus Carstairs-Rogers, who would later design some of the city's finest public buildings, was seriously wounded by a shell from the Boer Long Tom. Meanwhile, Long Tom continued its bombardment, setting the first major fire caused by enemy shelling and bringing normal life in Kimberley almost to a standstill.
1900 – Fergus Carstairs-Rogers is Wounded
On 8 February 1900, one of Kimberley's most talented architects narrowly escaped death when a shell from the Boer Long Tom exploded outside the Kimberley Club.
Fergus Carstairs-Rogers had been working closely with Major B. E. A. O'Meara, preparing topographical sketches of the country surrounding Kimberley. These detailed drawings were intended to assist Lord Roberts' advancing forces in planning the relief of the besieged town. After leaving the Kimberley Club following a meeting, a Long Tom shell exploded nearby. A heavy fragment weighing approximately 13½ pounds (6 kg) struck Rogers in the leg, causing a severe injury.
He was carried back into the Kimberley Club, where an operation was performed in the dining room. True to the stoic spirit of the time, Rogers reportedly refused chloroform and instead accepted a generous tot of whisky while surgeons removed the shell fragment. The fragment was later fashioned into an ornamental brooch for his wife, Lucy Carstairs-Rogers, and today it remains preserved at the Kimberley Club as a remarkable reminder of the siege.
Despite his injury, Rogers continued his distinguished architectural career. Later that same year, his magnificent Kimberley City Hall was completed, and he would go on to design many of Kimberley's most recognisable public buildings.
Did You Know?
Kimberley City Hall, completed in 1899 and designed by Fergus Carstairs-Rogers, is regarded as one of South Africa's finest examples of late Victorian civic architecture and remains one of Kimberley's most iconic landmarks.
1900 – Fire in the Market Square
116 days since the beginning of the Siege of Kimberley
On 8 February 1900, Kimberley's residents experienced another day under the relentless bombardment of the Boer Long Tom.
Winifred Heberden recorded that the morning passed quietly, but by late afternoon, the shelling intensified dramatically. "We had a quiet morning, but the afternoon from 4 o'clock till dark was distinctly noisy." During the barrage, 29 shells from the 100-pounder fell across different parts of the town, accompanied by fire from smaller Boer guns while Kimberley's own artillery replied whenever possible. One man was killed, and buildings across the town suffered considerable damage. Fearing further bombardment, shopkeepers closed their businesses, and the usually busy streets fell silent.
The final shell of the day struck a large shoe shop, setting it ablaze. The building was completely destroyed, becoming the first major fire caused by enemy shelling since the siege had begun. For the people of Kimberley, the arrival of Long Tom had transformed the character of the siege. The town was no longer simply enduring occasional bombardment—it was now under sustained heavy artillery fire capable of reaching almost every part of the centre.
Did You Know?
Long Tom fired 100-pound (45 kg) shells over a distance of more than five kilometres, making it one of the most formidable artillery pieces used during the South African War. Its arrival dramatically increased the danger faced by Kimberley's civilian population.
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Kimberley's Story Continues
The events of 8 February demonstrate the remarkable courage of Kimberley's citizens during the siege. Architects, engineers, doctors, shopkeepers and ordinary families continued their daily work despite constant shellfire, knowing that every journey through the streets carried real danger. Their resilience helped sustain the town until relief finally arrived one week later.
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