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 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...
by Allan Gordon | May 31, 2020 | Anniversaries, Birthday, South African War 1899 - 1902
Major-General Edward Brabant was born on this day in 1839. In November 1899 he raised a local Regiment known as Brabant’s Horse to fight in the South African War. His command included the Cape Mounted Rifles, the Kaffrarian Rifles, and the Queenstown...
by Allan Gordon | May 26, 2020 | Anniversaries, Birthday, South African War 1899 - 1902
Major-General Frederick Walter Kitchener was born on 26 May 1858, eight years after his more famous brother, Herbert. Better known as Walter, he took part in the Relief of Ladysmith. During the guerrilla phase of the war he commanded troops in the Western Transvaal...
by Allan Gordon | May 24, 2020 | Birthday, South African War 1899 - 1902
Field Marshall Jan Smuts was born on 24 May 1870. As was custom in his youth, due to circumstances, he only started school at the age of 12. This late start was not to deter him and he graduated from both Stellenbosch and Cambridge Universities with Honours. One of...
