by Allan Gordon | Dec 29, 2020 | Anniversaries, Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
Helvetia was a major ‘stop-over’ for coaches travelling from Pretoria, Lydenburg and Lake Chrissie in the 1890’s, and consisted of a trading post and hotel. During the South African War (1899-1902) the British established a major base on the site. This base consisted...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 25, 2020 | Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
The Battle of Tweefontein, which was a farm 35 km east of Bethlehem in the Free State, is also known as the battle of Groenkop and Christmas Kop. Late in 1901 Boer General de Wet had based himself in the northeastern part of the Orange Free State. At the same time...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 22, 2020 | Anniversaries, Deaths, South African War 1899 - 1902
Lieutenant-General Charles Tucker died on 22 December 1935 in France, at the age of 97. He first saw action in South Africa during the Anglo-Zulu War (1879). At the outbreak of the South African War (1899-1902), at the age of 61, he took command of the British...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 20, 2020 | Anniversaries, Deaths, South African War 1899 - 1902
Josef Johannes ‘Jopie’ Fourie who was educated at Grey College in Bloemfontein, was a scout and dispatch rider during the South African War (1899-1902). He was also part of the Boer force that halted the Jameson Raiders in 1896. During the South African War he was...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 19, 2020 | Anniversaries, Deaths, South African War 1899 - 1902
Manie Maritz was a Boer officer during the South African War (1899-1902) and a leading figure in the 1914 Rebellion. At the outbreak of the South African War he joined the Boksburg Commando and saw action in Natal. He later joined Danie Theron’s reconnaissance...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 17, 2020 | Anniversaries, Deaths, South African War 1899 - 1902
Lieutenant Frederick Hugh Sherston Roberts, son of Lord Roberts, died on 17 December 1899 from wounds received at the Battle of Colenso, aged 27. Roberts, with several others, tried to save the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, when those who...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 15, 2020 | Anniversaries, Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
Colenso is a town 20 km south of Ladysmith and commanded a strategic rail and road link from the coast. Early in November 1899, with Ladysmith under siege, the Boers occupied the hills to the north of the town and a few weeks later started an advance on the town, just...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 13, 2020 | Anniversaries, Deaths, South African War 1899 - 1902
Major-General Edward Yewd Brabant died on 13 December 1914 aged 75. He was a British Military Commander who fought in the Xhosa Wars of 1877–1878 and the Matabele War of 1893–1894. In November 1899 he raised a light horse regiment known as Brabant’s Horse which...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 13, 2020 | Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
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...
by Allan Gordon | Dec 11, 2020 | Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
Magersfontein was a farm about 20 km south of Kimberley. The Boers, anticipating a bombardment on the high ground on the farm, entrenched themselves at the base. On the afternoon of 10 December 1899, the British artillery bombarded the hills on Magersfontein, without...
