Denys Reitz was born on 2 April 1882 and was 17 years old when the South African War broke out.
Initially he was considered too young to take up arms, but with the blessing of his father and President Kruger, he was sent to the Natal front, where under Commandant Joubert he saw action in a number of battles including Spioen Kop. He fought alongside Jan Smuts during most of the war and was part of the negotiating delegation at the end of the war.
He, together with his father and brother refused to sign ‘allegiance’ to the British at the end of the war and they relocated to Madagascar. Reitz returned to South Africa in 1906 as a very sick man. He completed his studies and became a successful lawyer. He served under Smuts in the 1914 Rebellion and in the German South West Africa campaign. He signed up for service in Europe during WW1 and commanded the First Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
His autobiography, in the form of a trilogy, Commando, Trekking On, and No Outspan, are a must read for those interested in both the South African War and in the life of a truly great man.
