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What actions took place on 11 May 1901? 1 month 3 weeks ago #103333

  • Rory
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Indeed food for thought David

You could very well be spot on. Two things however - firstly the article infers that the Boers were (all) captured and taken prisoner. My man was a "bitter einder" - one of those who fought until after peace was declared before laying down his arms.

Secondly, you might have a point with the date - a bit of context which you might already be au fait with - the award of medals to Boer combatants was only sanctioned in 1920 whereafter those still alive could apply for their medal (Vorm B) and their Wound Stripe/Ribbon (Lint voor Wonden) after that date. The first medals issued were in 1921 onwards so, yes, memories fade after the elapse of almost 20 years and Oberholster could have the day, month or even year wrong.

he served with Kommandant H Vermaas. Veld Kornet Visser and Kommandant Van Zijl (Van Zyl) so I will have to track those fellows' movements and those of the Lichtenburg Commando to see for any similarities to the what has been suggested.

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Rory
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What actions took place on 11 May 1901? 1 month 2 weeks ago #103378

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Rory - thanks for the info on Vorm C's. Whilst a night attack on sleeping Boers was obviously very successful I would also think it gave the opportunity for the most alert of the Boers to escape undetected and fight on to the bitter end. Regards, David.
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What actions took place on 11 May 1901? 1 month 2 weeks ago #103379

  • Rory
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Very possible. So much is known and written about the pitched battles at the beginning of the war and, conversely, so little about the small skirmishes and actions of the guerilla phase that one is often left to wonder.

With Everhard's (EFV) assistance and the Jeppe map of the Transvaal I have managed to triangulate and identify where the action took place (Zoutpannen). I have highlighted the spot, along with Oberholster's farm (Boskoppie/Boschkoppie) and Geysdorp (modern day Delayreyville) on the attached map.

I still need to pin down the action that took place there. I have also highlighted the proximity to Kraaipan - the first engagement of the Boer War and one which, according to his Vorm B, he fought in.

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