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Served: General Smuts. Awarded the DTD (Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst) and received the Wound Ribbon (Lint voor Verwonding).

Dirk Jacob Carel Bekker van Deventer (1876–1945)

Born 7 August 1876, Ficksburg, Orange Free State, South Africa
Died 12 February 1945, Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa

Son of Christoffel and Johanna van Deventer, husband of Christina Maria van Deventer, of Pretoria. He was the younger brother of Vecht Generaal & later Lieutenant-General Sir Jacob Louis van Deventer KCB CMG DTD, 1874 – 1922

Dirk van Deventer served with General Smuts attaining the rank of Commandant during the Boer War. He was awarded the Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst, Oorlogmedalje 1899-1902 and received the Lint voor Verwonding



He was an Officer of the Staats Artillerie Z.A.R and subsequently an Officer of the Permanent Force of the U.D.F.

In November 1914, as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Union Defence Force (UDF), he commanded government forces that attacked a rebel laager (camp) at Zandfontein

He held significant command roles during World War I, serving as the Colonel-Commandant of the 4th Mounted Brigade in German South-West Africa. His column advanced from Platbeen and made contact with the Eastern Force (Berrangé's Trek), a notable logistical achievement involving a march over 120 miles without an established water supply. He commanded the UDF troops at The Battle of Kabus on 20th April 1915, comprising 250 men from Berrangé's Kalahari Horse and 250 men from van Deventer’s own Southern Force, complimented by the 5th SAMR A and C Squadrons. The German training school at Karbus was taken by the UDF, German losses were two killed and 16 wounded; the Union casualties being 10 wounded and 30 prisoners including two officers.

World War I Command: In 1916–1917, he commanded the 9th South African Infantry Battalion in German East Africa. With the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.



He was the District Commanding Officer of District 5 (Pretoria) until the latter part of 1931. He eventually reached the rank of Brigadier.
He died on February 12, 1945, while on active service during World War II, holding Decorations: C B, D S O, D T D