Die oorlog begin op 11 Oktober 1899 en word op vele fronte in die land gevoer.

Met die uitbreek van die oorlog was die Britse magte saamgetrek by Dundee. 4000 soldate het onder aanvoering van Genl. Penn Symons gestaan en by Ladysmith 8000 soldate onder aanvoering van Genl. Sir George White.

Desondanks het duisende gewapende boere van die Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (Transvaal) en Oranje Vrystaat die Britse kolonie van Natal binnegeval.

Onder aanvoering van Generaals P. Joubert, C.J. Meyer, O.J.E. Erasmus en J.H.M. Kock lei die Republikeinse magte twee nederlae teen die Britse magte - Die Slag van Dundee by die Talana en Lennoxheuwels op 20 Oktober 1899 en met die Slag van Elandslaagte op 21 Oktober 1899 - hier word Genl Kock ernstig gewond. Hy sterf kort daarna.

Ongeag die terugslae slaag die Vrystaatse Kommando's daarin om die Britse magte by Rietfontein te weerstaan.

Die datum, 24 Oktober 1899. Die oorwinning bring mee dat die Transvaalse en Vrystaatse magte verenig.

Hierdie verenigde magte bestaande uit verskillende kommando's onder bevel van Genl. Joubert het om Ladysmith begin saamtrek en word heuwels Nicholsonsnek, Pepworth Hill, Umbulwana en Long Hill in die proses beset.

Vir die Britse magte in Ladysmith het hierdie saamtrek van Boere kommando's niks goed ingehou nie. In 'n poging om die Boere terug te dryf loods Genl. White 'n teenoffensief. Dié was fataal - Genl. Carleton word deur kommandant Christiaan de Wet in die heuwels verslaan en Kol. Grimwood lei 'n groot nederlaag met die Slag van Modderspruit. (29/30 Oktober). Vir French en Hamilton het sake ook nie goed verloop nie. Verdere nederlae vanaf Nicholsonsnek tot by Umbulwana bring mee dat duisende Britse soldate terugval na Ladysmith. Hier sou Genl.

George White, sy 527 offisiere, 12 924 soldate en 700 vlugtinge tesame met die inwoners vir die volgende 118 dae vasgekeer sit, want op 2 November 1899 word die dorp beleër - die beleg het voortgeduur tot 28 Februarie 1900.

Foto: Ladysmith

Summary of my active service as! Oudstryder at the age of 16 with the South African Republic Forces.

I certify that this is a true statement of my service with the South African Republican.

As a civil servant of the Republic, was called up for active service the middle of September 1899. Before the declaration of war we were camped at Landspruit near Volksrust, from where i was assigned to do duty with "Long Tom." Staats Artillery under Corp. Ted Rodgers, "platform emplacement section."

Soon after the declaration of war we loaded Long Tom at Charlestown for Dannhauser and from there by team of mules overland to a hill north of Dundee facing town and military camp. Thursday, friday, saturday, fixed Long Tom into position. Monday morning white flags over camp and town. British troops fled sunday night.

We were then ordered to dismantle our gun and proceed to Ladysmith. (Bad weather). On the way we heard the roar of battle at Elandslaagte E. of Ladysmith. Eventually arrived and camped N. of Pepworth's Kop where we made the platform for Long Tom to face Ladysmith.

Here the biggest gun battle of the war was fought with the enemy. 30th October, many of our artillerymen as well as their doctor Holts was killed near me. Our superior French 15lb soon put the Armstrongs out of action.

Beginning December we again moved the gun to a higher position facing E. of Ladysmith overlooking the town from Mount M'Bulwan. Middle of December was given a mount and transferred to Pretoria Dorp Commando.

Then near to Nicolson's Neck and Kop; under Genl. Erasmus, Field Cornet Leadeberg and Asst. F.C. de Jaager who was killed in the battle 6th January, 1900. The British were concentrating troops near Spion Kop.

I with 49 others were sent off to strengthen the position the day of the big battle there, a day after the British retreated back to Colenso. We returned to base camp "Volmoed" only to be ordered a week later with 50 others to go with Com. Erasmus and Corp. Nel to Colenso. From where after treachery and "British Cavalry breakthrough to Ladysmith", we were ordered back to Nicolson Nek camp.

Soon after all our forces were retreating and what a retreat! Rain and more rain and mud. Thank goodness President Kruger was rushed from Pretoria by train and stopped us at the Biggarsberg Pass, "near Dundee junction." Here we halted and reformed our men. Just then a bigger threat; Roberts with 1/4 million men advancing through O.V.S. joined up Land River south of Kroonstad; from where it was delayed actions and then retreat. Was under Max Theunissen F.C. Was captured with some men south of Silverton, taken to Pretoria and after two days let out on parole.