General Christiaan Rudolf de Wet was born in the district of Smithfield in the Boer Republic of the Orange Free State on 7 October 1854.
He was involved in the Anglo-Boer War of 1880–81, serving as a field cornet. He saw action at the Battle of Majuba Hill where the Boers achieved victory over the British forces. In September 1899, just before the start of the South African War (1899-1902), de Wet and his three sons were called up as ordinary private burghers.
He saw action at Nicholson’s Nek on 30 October, where over 900 British officers and men surrendered.
He was made a General in December 1899 and ordered to the Cape where he took part in the battles around Kimberley. After the capture of General Cronje, de Wet took command of the Free State forces for the duration of the war.
De Wet took an active part in the peace negotiations of 1902.
