Nooitgedacht was a farm in the Krugersdorp District, about 35 km south east of Rustenburg.
Major-General Clements, who was active in the area, decided to set up camp at the base of the Magaliesberg Mountains, with the highest point of the range, directly above his camp, allowing him communication with both Pretoria and Rustenburg.
Early on the morning of 13 December 1900, Boer General Beyers attacked the pickets on the mountain above Clements’ camp, followed by an attack on the camp. Clements withdrew his forces to a nearby hill, Yeomanry Hill, from where, on regrouping, he retreated to Rietfontein.
British losses were 88 killed, 171 wounded, and 372 missing or taken prisoner.
Many bodies were later found on the slopes of the mountain – the soldiers who tried to flee the Boers without realising the ‘drop’
