Boksburg commando

The Boksburg Commando

 Prior to the South Africa War, the Boksburg Commando had participated under Field-Cornet Gerckson to help quell the Makgato tribe, which had refused to pay taxes and were very hostile to the ZAR Administration.

On the 27^th September 1899 the Boksburg Commando was mobilised. They assembled at the Market Square and moved to Boksburg station to entrain for the front. The contingent was 1050 strong with about 300 Black Agterryers(Camp followers) accompanying them. The Boksburg Commando stretched from Elandsfontein to Springs including the following towns of Elandsfontein,  Germiston,  Elsburg, Vogelfontein,  Boksburg, Brakpan, Schapenrust and Springs and altogether there.

 

At the station the first bureaucratic bungle occurred. Previously, commando’s had always moved by horse, but Boksburg now had a train service. As the authorities had forgotten to order a train, the burghers waited two days for the transport to arrive to take them to Johannesburg. Several more days elapsed before they were issued with new Mauser rifles and were ready for action.

The spirit of the group was buoyant, they were going to the border to chase the “hated British Army” away, just as they had done at Majuba. A quick ride, sharp fight and they would be home in a few weeks. Even at this stage some of the flamboyant characters were beginning to emerge. Commandant, later General, Ben Viljoen was in the bar having a last drink, holding up the departure of the train and ignoring the urgent ringing of the stationmaster’s bell.

Due to the large numbers of burghers, with attendants’ horses and equipment, numerous trains were required. The Commandos arrived in Volksrust and settled in their camp at Charlestown, their horses alas, on another train, never arrived at all and they had to be issued with new stock. After a few idle days the boys were ready to start the war, which was declared on 11 October 1899.

The Boksburg Commando was part of the personal command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Boer Forces, Commandant-General Piet Joubert and formed part of the advanced guard over the Buffalo River under General Erasmus. They entered Newcastle on the 15 October 1899, four days after the outbreak of hostilities.

From photographs it becomes obvious that most of the Boksburg contingent were wearing waistcoats, ties and riding boots. They were well dressed, well armed, well lead and highly motivated, certainly not ignorant peasants.

As there was no military uniform, burghers wore their normal clothing. The only item, which was common to all men, was that they all wore hats which enabled then to distinguish themselves by different hatbands. Boksburg sported guinea fowl feathers and were commonly called “Gravett’s Guinea Fowls” after their rebel general from the Cape Colony, General GH Gravett.

 

At the start of the war the commando used Mauser rifles but later on, when the run out of ammunition, they switched to British .303 Lee-Metford rifles, obtained from enemy stock. The Boksburg Commando fought as mounted infantry, not cavalry and therefore used long barrelled rifles for greater accuracy.

It is not possible to follow the Boksburg Commando from one battle to another; we only know that they were involved in specific action when, by their boldness, flair and élan they made their mark on the history of the war. After arrival in Natal, due to its size the Boksburg Commando was split into two sections, one taking part in the Natal Campaign whilst the other went to Colesberg.

 

At Elandslaagte, Boksburg’s magistrate PG Mare was killed in action as was General Kock. They were involved in derailing the armoured train near Chieveley and the capture of Winston Churchill.

Their next major action was at the battle of Colenso on 15 December 1899. When the British retreated hurriedly and exposed their artillery, the Boksburg boys distinguished themselves by being the first to arrive at the British guns, capturing 16 officers and 30 other ranks.

 

On 24 January 1900 they were once more in action at Spionkop, positioned on Conical Hill and commandeered by Fieldcornet J Alberst, later to become a General.

During the siege of Ladysmith the natal section were stationed between Pepworth Hill and Surprise Hill, after the relief they retired to Majuba.

Casualties at Spioenkop were Frans Lombard and Shaw killed.

At Colenso W Fiedlander slightly wounded

Most of this information was taken from “The Incredible Saga of the Boksburg Commando” supplied by the Boksburg Historical Association