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 taken prisoner on being wounded.
He is ‘best’ known for his execution during the 1914 revolt.
The 1914 Revolt occurred because the men who supported the re-creation of the old Boer Republics, after the South African War, rose up against the government of the Union of South Africa as they did not want to side with the British against Germany.
Many of these Boers were former Boer military leaders who had fought against the British in the South African War.
The rebellion was put down by Louis Botha and Jan Smuts.
Ring leaders were fined or sent to prison with the only death sentence being Jopie Fourie, an Active Citizens Force (ACF) officer in the Union Defence Force.
He didn’t resign his commission and led a band of rebels against government forces.
Fourie and his brother Hannes were captured at Nooitgedacht on 16 December 1914.
Fourie was executed on 20 December 1914.
