CHRISTINA PETRONELLA THRING was one of Harry Thring's wives. Christina Petronella was Dutch as was his first wife Christine Landman. This marriage produced four sons. COENRAAD, MARTINUS, JAN HENRY, and EDWARD. They all lived at Mkwakweni homestead (farm) in Hluti, Swaziland along with Harry Thring's other familes. Guess which side he fought for during the Anglo-Boer Wars?
On February 22, 1901, Captain Forbes of the Lebombo Intelligence Scouts attacked the homestead. Christina and her sons and other Dutch families were caught and sent to Barberton Concentration Camp; later transfered to Merebank Concentration Camp in Durban on 15/07/1901. If you want to read more on Christina Petronella and sons click here. Harry Thring escaped but was captured in April, 1901 and was also sent to Burgher Camp in Pretoria. Both were released after the war. Christina Petronella remained in Durban. In her Will she only lists two sons Coenraad and Martinus; Jan Henry and Edward are not listed. They cannot be found in any South African archive either, but records show that they were all discharged from the Merebank Concentration Camp on 25/03/1902. Harry Thring returned to Swaziland and lived there for the remainder of his life. The date and year he died, as well as his burrial site is yet to be determind.
The attack broke up the homestead and everyone went their own way. The support structure was destroyed. Some mothers returned to Natal, South Africa with their children and other mothers continued to live in Swaziland with their children.