Christiaan Frederik Beyers died on 8 December 1914 aged 45, under tragic circumstances. He was a Transvaal Boer who took a prominent part in the South African War. He held the rank of General when peace was signed in 1902 and was recognised as one of the leaders of the Boers. He entered politics but on the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910, President Botha made him Commandant General of the Citizen Forces of the Union Defence Force of South Africa. In this capacity he visited a number of countries in Europe. He was opposed to South Africa’s involvement in World War 1, and when the South African Forces invaded German South West Africa, Beyers led the Boer Rebels against the Government. He was pursued by the Union Forces, was wounded and consequently drowned while trying to escape.
