Piet Cronje died on 4 February 1911, aged 74.

He was a general in both the Anglo-Boer War, 1880–1881 and the South African War, 1899–1902.

He was also in command of the force that rounded up the Jameson raiders at Doornkop on 2 January 1896.

He was defeated at the Battle of Paardeberg  on 27 February 1900 and sent to St. Helena Island as a prisoner of war.