by Allan Gordon | Jun 19, 2020 | Anniversaries, Birthday, South African War 1899 - 1902
Douglas Haig was born in Edinburgh on 19 June 1861 and after studying at Oxford, entered the military in January 1884. He was an equestrian enthusiast and represented England at Polo. At the outbreak of the South African War (1899-1902) he saw action at Elandslaagte...
by Allan Gordon | Jun 17, 2020 | Anniversaries, Birthday, South African War 1899 - 1902
Colonel R.G. Kekewich was born on 17 June 1854 and entered the military as a twenty year old. At the outbreak of the South African War (1899-1902) he was the commander of the garrison in Kimberley and as such was in the town during the siege. He saw action during...
by Allan Gordon | Jun 15, 2020 | Anniversaries, Deaths, South African War 1899 - 1902
Lieutenant-General James Babington died on 15 June 1936 aged 81. During the South African War (1899-1902) he saw action at Magersfontein and the defeat of General de la Rey’s commando near Ventersdorp, during the Guerrilla Phase of the war. He left South...
by Allan Gordon | Jun 12, 2020 | Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
After the fall of Pretoria on 5 June 1900 and the subsequent meeting of the senior Boer Generals, the defensive line east of Pretoria was prepared by the Boers from which they hoped to stop the British advance. The position covered 40 km, with the...
by Allan Gordon | Jun 11, 2020 | Battles, South African War 1899 - 1902
General Buller’s advance to the Eastern Transvaal (now Mpumalanga) was progressing according to plan. Botha’s Pass had been cleared on 8 June 1900, and the Boers had retreated from their position at Laing’s Nek having first destroyed the tunnel on the pass. ...
by Allan Gordon | Jun 10, 2020 | Anniversaries, Birthday, South African War 1899 - 1902
Commandant Jan Kemp was born on 10 June 1872. As a young Burgher he was part of the commando that halted the Jameson Raiders at Doornkop in 1896. At the outbreak of the South African War he saw action in Natal. When the Guerrilla Phase of the war started he saw...
