On Morgans Island, the Brits housed the Boer Prisoners of War in bell tents arranged in lines, with approximately six men in each tent.  They elected a Foreman for each tent, while the Foremen chose a Line Captain for each line of tents.

On Morgans Island, there were nine lines of tents. The nine Line Captains elected Commandant D van Deventer as their commander.

Hermann Gustav Thiel was elected as Line Captain of Line G even though he was only 22 years old at the time. He retained his tent number (G 9), which must have been issued by the British, and included it in his Memorial Album.

All the officers chosen by the Prisoners of War on Morgans Island are included in this photograph. There are 9 Line Captains, the Commandant D van Deventer, the Secretary J. Bodes, as well as Reverend P. Hauptfleisch. Hermann Thiel is second from the left in the back row.

Hermann Thiel spoke English fluently as he completed his school education in English in Cape Town before the family moved to the Transvaal. He played a key role in assisting the Boer management on Morgans Island in their communication with Major Elkington, the officer in charge of the prisoners on both Tuckers and Morgans Islands.

Hermann Thiel saved the following letter to Major Elkington in his Memorial Album. The letter is in his handwriting and is undersigned by all 9 Line Captains except lines B and F. The letter refers to the deplorable condition of the clothing and boots of the prisoners, the leaking roof over the cooking place, and the need for freshwater soap. The reply to the letter written on 21 November 1901 was received from Major Elkington on 25 November 1901 in the form of a note at the bottom of the report. In the note, Major Elkington states that he would issue the clothes as soon as he receives it.

Letter of appreciation to Hermann Thiel from his fellow prisoners

For the New Year (1902) Hermann Thiel received a present and this accompanying letter from the Burghers under his command as Line Captain of Line G. They express their appreciation for his impartiality and the opinion that he showed himself to be a “True Afrikaner”. They also wish him a prosperous New Year and express the wish that they will soon be back in Africa as a free nation.

Morgans Island
29 December 1901

Honourable Gentleman

H.G Thiel (Captain Line G)

Dear Sir

We the Burghers of Line G under your command have agreed to offer you a small gift for the New Year (1902) since we all have to acknowledge that you have always shown that you are not only honest and unbiased towards us , as might have been possible, but you have also shown until now that you are a True Afrikaner and that you collaborate with us wholeheartedly.

We wish you a blessed New Year and trust that we will soon be back in Africa as a free nation and that you will there also contribute to the advancement of our Country and Nation.

We have the Honour to be
The Burghers of G Line