TOPIC:

Johannes Petrus De Beer

Burger, Suikerbosrand Ward, Heidelberg Commando – Anglo Boer War
Burger, “B” Squadron, Heidelberg Commando – WWI

- Anglo Boere Oorlog Medal to BURG. J.P. DE BEER
- 1914-15 Star to BURG. J.P. DE BEER HEIDELBERG KDO
- British War Medal to BURG. J.P. DE BEER. HEIDELBERG KDO.
- Victory Medal to BURG. J.P. DE BEER. HEIDELBERG KDO.



Johannes Petrus De Beer was born on 30 October 1887 in the Heidelberg district of the then Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek, better known as the Transvaal. He was the son of Barend Petrus Stephanus De Beer and his wife Hendrina Wilhelmina born Rossouw. His father, at the of 27, had married the widow Strydom (born Rossouw) in Heidelberg on 14 May 1877.

Like so many of his forebears, De Beer senior was a Farmer, making his living off the land in the fertile expanse around the town of Heidelberg. Of necessity Boer families were large in size with as many children as the “ou vrouw” could bring into the world put to work on the farm as soon as they were physically able. Mrs De Beer had six children, Johanna Elizabeth Dirkie (1878); Hendrina Wilhelmina (1880); Catharina Christina Sofia (1882); Barend Petrus (1885) and Johannes Petrus, who together with twin brother Frederick Coenraad David, brought up the rear being born in 1887.

As is well-known, the Transvaal was in turmoil after the abortive Jameson Raid of 1896 had lain bare the imperialistic ambitions of Cecil John Rhodes and Sir Alfred Milner for all to see. A massive arms procurement took place with Paul Kruger’s Transvaal Government purchasing as many as 30 000 top-of-the-range Mauser rifles, together with heavy ordnance from Krupp and Creuset in Europe. Each Burger for a derisible amount, could buy one of these Mauser rifles and the ammunition to go with it and thus it was that when war with Great Britian finally dawned on 11 October 1899; the Boer Commandos were armed and, to an extent ready, not only to defend their borders but to go on the offensive by crossing the borders of the Cape and Natal in a bid to rid the countryside of the accursed “Uitlanders” – people of foreign (mainly British) birth who were the mainstay of the Transvaal economy.

Johannes was only 13 years old and a “penkop” when he joined the Suikerbosrand Ward of the Heidelberg Commando on 1 December 1899. By the time he took to the field the important battles of Talana (Dundee) and Elandslaagte had been fought and lost and the Boer Commandos on the Natal front had lain siege to the garrison town of Ladysmith, effectively cutting her off from the outside world.



Fortunately for the student of history the Boer combatants were required to complete a “Vorm B” in order to claim their medal which was authorised for distribution from 1921 onwards. The Vorm B contained a section where the combatant could list the battles and skirmishes in which he took part, thereby providing a glimpse of actual action that he saw.

De Beer was one of the first wave to submit their forms in 1922, when their memories of dates and events was still fresh. Where they claimed to be had to be vouchsafed by either their superior officers at the time or, in the event of these being dead or unavailable, comrades with whom they fought side-by-side in the field.

Required to choose the latter course, De Beer provided Fritz van der Westhuizen and Piet Becker as his witnesses. He claimed to have seen service under the late Johannes Roelof Botha (Hans Botha) from Blinkpoort District, Heidelberg and the late General Hendrik Alberts. As far as actions in which he participated were concerned, he listed the following:

- Crissie Meer sic (Lake Chrissie Meer)
- Boesmanskop langs Bergendal (Dalmanutha or Belfast)
- Devon, district Heidelberg and
- Bakenlaagte

This indicates that the service he saw was almost entirely in the Transvaal. The residential address he provided in 1922 was instrumental in being able to identify exactly which Johannes Petrus De Beer was being referred to. This address was Lettiesdal, P.K. Boesmansfontein, via Greylingstad.

Heidelberg was occupied by the British forces on 23 June 1900 after General Viljoen sent a message to General Hart asking that the town be spared a bombardment if he agreed to give it up. Hart agreed and the occupied the town but not before the town’s magazine and any surplus arms had been destroyed.

On 30 June 1900 Hans Botha and his men, possibly including De Beer, succeeded in mining the railway bridge at Heidelberg. On 5 July the Heidelbergers attacked a squadron of Lord Strathcona’s Horse between Vlakfontein and Greylingstad. The Canadians were lured into a defile approximately 5 km long from which there was little chance of escape.

On 21 July 1900, at Suikerbosch Post (near Suikerbosrand) the Heidelbergers attacked the two companies of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who, well entrenched, were garrisoning the place. Attacking across a wide plain which provided no cover they rode on, the battle raged for six hours as the Boers threw themselves against the entrenchments time and time again eventually being repulsed and having to withdraw.

On 23 August 1900 the Heidelberg and Bethal Commandos were placed under the command of General Christiaan Botha and deployed between Amersfoort and Ermelo. Two weeks later they moved to the left of General Louis Botha’s line of defence at the Komati River as he tried to protect the Boer Government which was temporarily at Machadadorp. On that day General Buller advanced on their position at Geluk Farm.

An artillery duel followed with the Heidelbergers setting their sites at 460 metres which, with concentrated fire, brought the advancing Liverpool Regiment to a standstill. One attack after the other was warded off with the British regiments being driven against their positions and being cut down by Mauser fire. The attack was repulsed and the men then lay and fired on the English with sites set at 500m.

The last pitched (conventional) battle of the war took place at Bergendal (Dalmanutha) on 28 August 1900. Buller had left Geluk Farm to place himself behind the Boer positions at Dalmanutha. The Heidelberg and Bethal Commandos continued to worry his flanks and rear and he was forced to turn his artillery and infantry on them. The combined Commando took up position covering the station at Dalmanutha. Buller then decided to attack the position at Bergendal.

Despite a valiant attempt by the ZARP’s (ZAR Police), the day was lost when the massed British infantry attacked after a sustained artillery bombardment and the Commandos scattered to fight another day. After Bergendal the various commandos returned to their districts to wage guerilla warfare (Phase II of the Anglo Boer War). The Heidelberg Commando was split once more with the Roodekoppen Ward returning to the south and east of Heidelberg and De Beer’s Suikerbosrand Ward also returning to their home area.



The Suikerbosrand Ward were active in a sharp engagement on Boxing Day 1901 at the Grootvlei Mine.

From the British perspective: On that day, the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade found themselves in the south-eastern Transvaal where, as was by now the norm, pockets of Boer fighters were harassing troop movements, convoys and patrols in the area. Based at the Oceana Mine near Grootvlei in the district around Greylingstad, Lieutenant-Colonel A. Colville, 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade, proceeded on a farm-clearing expedition, with a small column consisting of six companies of the 1st Battalion, a squadron of the 13th Hussars, four guns of 63 Battery, Royal Field Artillery, as well as one ‘pom-pom’. Colville left ‘F’ Company under the command of Captain Radclyffe, as well as some artillerymen, to guard the baggage wagons based at the mine. The column moved out in the direction of Roodewal, where after five miles they became involved in a small skirmish at the first of the target farms.

During the skirmish a large party of approximately 450 Boers were spotted heading towards the Oceana Mine. A signal was sent to Captain Radclyffe informing him of this development, and he at once set about disposing his small force in an attempt to protect the baggage, with the pom-pom located near a small hollow. After a couple of hours had passed a number of mounted Boers appeared on a ridge a thousand yards away. As Radclyffe’s men opened fire the Boers dismounted, pushed forward, and sent out small parties to the left and right in an encircling movement against the Rifle Brigade position. Under heavy and accurate fire the pom-pom was moved down towards the hollow and back towards the compound – of the nine men who assisted in moving the pom-pom one was killed and the other eight all wounded.

Seeing that the enemy were now advancing in considerable force, Radclyffe decided to send the baggage back to the column, whilst attempting to hold the Boers in check for as long as possible. Under cover of heavy Rifle Brigade fire from behind the wagons, the native teams began inspanning the oxen. When they were ready to move the native teams started off the wagons in the direction of Colville’s column and, as they did so, the small Rifle Brigade covering party came under very severe fire and had to retire, as the Boers saw that they were losing their target. During this time, Radclyffe and his sections continued their holding action but suffered a number of casualties, with their ammunition running out fast.

With the baggage now well on its way, Radclyffe, who was lying wounded, ordered those in advanced positions who could do so to retire to the compound so as to avoid capture. No. 1 section provided covering fire until their ammunition ran out, at which point the Boers advanced rapidly, forcing their surrender, along with the wounded soldiers. Fortunately, at this point, the main column appeared on the horizon, forcing the Boers to withdraw, leaving their wounded prisoners behind. For some time the wounded on the ridge were exposed to fire from both the returning column and the Boers, and a Corporal was seen to make a valiant attempt to carry the wounded Radclyffe to safety. Total losses that day were heavy, with 13 Officers and men killed, 44 wounded, and 19 taken prisoner.

From the Boer perspective: On Christmas Day the columns camped at the South Rand Mine. 18 km west of Greylingstad. The Heidelbergers concentrated their forces with the intention of attacking them there. Early on the 26th Kmdt Buys and a section of his commando moved around the south-east side of the camp and enticed Colville with a strong party of cavalry and infantry to leave the camp and follow him.

When about 5 km from the camp, the attack was launched from the east and south-east with Hans Botha’s Suikerbosrand men attacking from the west. Captain Radclyff had a company of the Rifle Brigade and a pom pom at his disposal. Although taken by surprise he deployed his forces hurriedly. Leaving a party to hold the mine compound he took the pom pom and 90 men to some rising ground which lay 900 m to the north-west. They then opened fire on the burghers who were attacking across the open plains.

The Boers galloped up and attacked the ridge from the front and both flanks, while other Burghers made for the compound. Bullets flew thick and fast as the Burghers stormed the British positions and were thrown back. Again and again their veldkornets rallied them and led them forward into a hail of fire. Radclyff’s party on the ridge suffered heavily with all the men serving the pom pom hit. The Boers slowly gained the upper hand, moving in on them.

The Boers retreated, after pillaging the stores, at 3.30 p.m. leaving 60 enemy dead or wounded and taking 19 prisoners – which they released 4 days later.

Boesmanskop on 29 January 1901 – towards the end of January, General French with five columns, began a huge drive in the Eastern Transvaal. Contact was made with the Heidelberg Commando at Boesmanskop, east of Springs. Hans Botha held the flank at this kraal, armed with a single Armstrong which they fired at the approaching enemy. It did little but attract a return fire of heavy liddite shells which began exploding nearby. The Boers were forced to retreat eastwards taking their two dead with them.

At Chrissiemeer on 6 February 1901 – on the 5th February Major General Smith-Dorrien had encamped at Lake Chrissie, with a strong column of over 3000 men and 10 guns. Lake Chrissie is little more than a glorified “pan.” It was here that Louis Botha decided to attack an unsuspecting Smith-Dorrien with a night attack with 2000 men.

His force approached along the Ermelo road making contact with a British picket and opening up with a tremendous fusillade. The Heidelbergers charged up a small hill and hurled themselves at the English. Vicious hand to hand fighting ensued. Botha had gambled on surprise but this was not enough and his men were falling fast. He was forced to call off the attack and retreat at 4.30 a.m. in what was a disaster for the Boers who, with 80 casualties, outnumbered the 75 to the British.

De Beer, still in his early teens, soldiered on laying down his weapon on 4 June 1902, four days after the war ended.

With the farms decimated and destroyed by the Scorched Earth policy adopted by the British in an effort to force a Boer surrender, there was precious little to come home to and many young Boers headed for the gold mines of the Witwatersrand for work. De Beer was no exception, finding work at the Nigel Gold Mine, one he would very likely have attacked while still a combatant.

At Heidelberg on 18 August 1908, at the age of 20, he wed 20 year old Aletta Johanna Visagie. The couple went on to have six children of their own with three of them being born before the Great War hit the world stage on 4 August 1914. This war placed most Boers on the horns of a dilemma. Many were fiercely loyal to the Prime Minister, Louis Botha, and signed up to fight the Germans in German South West Africa at his behest whilst others, still harbouring feelings of ill will towards the British, chose to revolt against the decision to go to war on the British side. This led to an internal rebellion which had to be first suppressed before the country could be placed on a war footing.



De Beer, now living at Hartbeestfontein in the Bosmansfontein (Boesmansfontein) area of the Transvaal, attested for service with “B” Squadron of his old Commando on 12 January 1915, under the command of H.J. Kamffer. Assigned no. 228 and the rank of Burgher he embarked abord the S.S. Galway Castle for German South West Africa on 5 February 1915 and would have been part of the Northern Force of the Brigade which brought about the German surrender at Otavi on 9 June 1915.

He was discharged the very next day and, returning home, took no further part in the war. He was awarded the normal three WWI medals for his service, receiving this after he had applied for his Boer War medal.

Johannes Petrus De Beer passed away on 2 April 1961.

Acknowledgements:

- SANDF Archives for Boer War & WWI records
- Heidelbergers in the Boer War by Ian Uys
- Familysearch for marriage and family tree details
- Anglo Boer War Forum for Grootvlei map