Biography of gerard moerdijk oldtimers

South African architect (1890–1958)

Gerard Leendert Pieter Moerdijk (4 March 1890 in Zwaershoek farm near Nylstroom, Transvaal – 29 March 1958 in Nylstroom), also known as Gerard Moerdyk, was a South African architect^[1] best known for designing the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria.

Early life, education and career

Both Moerdyk's parents were Dutch immigrants, who moved to South Africa in 1888.

During the Second Boer War (1899–1902) Gerard Moerdyk (then aged 10) was interned in the Standertonconcentration camp with his mother, two brothers and two sisters.

Biography of gerard moerdijk oldtimers children

After the war, the family lived in Pretoria where Gerard went to the forerunner of Pretoria Boys High School. He matriculated with honours in 1909 and qualified as an architect at the Architectural Association in England. He also studied in France for a while and was exposed to classical Roman and Renaissance architecture in Italy.

Moerdyk was the first South African to be an Asso