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Mathieson came from Norway to South Africa and served with distinction in the Natal Police

Bjarne Heiss Mathieson

Trooper, Natal Police – Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Natal and South Africa 1901 to Tpr. B.H. Mathieson, Natal Police

Mathieson was born in the small hamlet of Kristiania near Oslo in Norway in 1879 the son of Nicolai August Mathieson. According to the 1885 Norwegian census a 6 year old Bjarne was residing with his father and siblings Olaf (4) and Aagot (5) in 41A Pilestredet (Pile Street)



Mathieson's early home

At some point in time he headed south with the determination to make his home in Natal where he joined the ranks of the Natal Police at Pietermaritzburg on 1 March 1900. The Anglo Boer War had been raging for 6 months when Mathieson donned a uniform for the first time and the relief of Ladysmith had been effected a day before he commenced service.



Mathieson in the middle

With him on that day was a testimonial from Mr A. Behrman of Ocean Lodge, a prominent Durban citizen as well as a testimonial from Mr Frank Stevens, another important member of Durban society and the largest boot maker in the Colony of Natal. To cement his credentials he also carried a memorandum from Messrs. Storm Eriksen, a firm in his home town. The combined weight of these worthies was enough to get him appointed and he started with no. 2444 and the rank of Trooper.

Mathieson was one of those policemen who were deployed to the various police stations dotting the landscape of Natal. His duties would have been, primarily, to maintain law and order under trying circumstances as well as being mindful of and always on the look-out for any Boer activity which might threaten the new found peace which came with the recent rout of the Boer forces from the Colony.

He continued to serve and was awarded the Queens Medal with clasps Natal and South Africa 1901.

In 1903 his District Officer reported him as being “a good working man”

Mathieson was regarded as a 2nd Class Zulu linguist, almost an essential attribute given the nature of the job, and was mentioned for Special Meritorious Service and recommended for promotion to the rank of Lance Sergeant which promotion took effect from 25 September 1906. His knowledge of Zulu would have stood him in good stead during the Bambatha Rebellion of 1906 in which he was a participant.

Not all went swimmingly however, and he was required to face charges, on two occasions, which could have had serious implications for him. The first was when he was arrested on a charge of rape but this charge, after investigation, was dismissed and he was able to continue with his service. The second charge related to an alleged assault for which he appeared before a Regional Magistrate. He pleaded guilty but, in mitigation, was found to have been subject to provocation and was discharged.



A Headquarters shot including Mathieson

Coincidence or not but a Bjarne Mathieson sailed from Christiania in Norway on 31 August 1906 aboard the S.S. “C.F. Tidgen” and arriving in New York on September 12, 1906 to visit a friend with whom he would be staying – a Mr Hofman of 9 Manhattan Terrace, Brooklyn. He was listed as a Clerk on the ship’s manifest. Mathieson Was on 6 months leave from the Natal Police over this period so he could quite easily have returned to his home in Norway before sailing for the United States and then returning to South Africa.

Back in the country Mathieson’s stint with the Natal Police came to an end when he was discharged at his own request on 8 July 1907. His character, the alleged sins of the past having been forgotten, was described as Exemplary.

Having made his way to the Witwatersrand he was on hand in 1914, when the Great War broke out, to enlist with the Pretoria Regiment for service in German South West Africa. He joined up on 10 October 1914 and was demobilised on 19 August 1915 after the cessation of hostilities in that territory.
Having earned the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his efforts it is assumed that he continued with his civilian pursuits and was not heard from again. [/size]

Rory
It was good to see Mathieson's medal again. It is in a better home now and received the attention it deserved.
Regards
Brett

Thanks for passing him on Brett.

I enjoyed finding out more about him. His 1914/15 Star was sold on DNW in 2001 along with a bundle of other SA related medals to other recipients. What happened to his other gongs will probably always remain a mystery.

Regards

Rory