Wynberg Military Base
Wynberg military base was established in 1804 following the report of a
commission appointed to find a suitable base for the 'Hottentot Corps'.
The farm of one Alexander Tennant - De oude Wynberg - was selected. This
land was apparently so called as Jan van Riebeeck, following his settlement
on the farm Bosheuwel (now Bishopscourt) in 1658, had planted vines here.
In July 1685 the land came into the possession of Governor Simon van der
Stel, who six weeks later transferred ownership to his eldest son, Adriaan.
It was acquired by Albert Coopman on 10 August 1701, who on the same day
'sold' the land to Frans van der Stel, a younger son of the governor. From
1804 the military took increasing interest in this strategic location.
Tennant sold 78 morgen to the Cape government in March 1809; while the
British secretary for war acquired a further 54 morgen in June 1886. December
1921 saw the transfer of the all the land, property and buildings to the
government of the Union of South Africa.
The rock behind 2 Military Hospital with an inscription recording the
dates when the 59th Regiment (2nd East Lancashire) formed part of the Cape
garrison: 1806, 1859-61, 1911-14.
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at ian@ma2.sun.ac.za
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