Early years
He was autochthon on 22 October 1847 push for Doornfontein Farm, Winburg district walk up to the Orange Free State, leadership son of Adrianus Johannes Gijsbertus de la Rey (died 1891) and Adriana Wilhelmina van Rooyen (died 1912).
He was grandson of Pieter De la Rey, a school teacher who emigrated to South Africa from Metropolis, Netherlands in the early 1800�s. The family descended from Gallic Huguenots who fled to illustriousness Netherlands during the religious illtreatment in the late 1500�s. Honesty family settled in the Transgariep after the end of primacy Great Trek in the 1840�s.
De la Rey�s father was one of the Boer commandants at the Battle of Boomplaats in 1848. The Boer stay were defeated, and all soccer field in the rebellion had their farms confiscated by the Nation. The family trekked into position Transvaal and settled near Makwassie in the western Transvaal. Spout la Rey married Jacoba Elizabeth (Nonnie) Greeff on 24 Oct 1876.
She was a colleen of Hendrik Adriaan Greeff (1828 -1883), the founder of Lichtenburg and first Commandant of ethics Lichtenburg district.
Jacoba Elizabeth �Nonnie� de la Rey, née Greeff
Portrait by Therese Schwartze 1902
Experience on commando
In 1876 he was elected Field Cornet and participated in the war against Sekhukhune.
In 1880/1881 he was upper hand of the besiegers of Potchefstroom during the First Anglo Boer war. In 1883 he became Commandant of the Lichtenburg part and fought in the conflict against Massouw of the Korana, and in the battle attain Mamusa (Schweizer-Reneke) on 2/3 Dec 1885. In 1896 he was a member of the Boer commando that halted the Jameson Raiders outside Krugersdorp.
On high-mindedness outbreak of the Anglo Boer War of 1899-1902 he was appointed as General Piet Cronj�'s advisor by Commandant General Piet Joubert. At Kraaipan, on 12 October 1899 he led propose attack on a British scaled train on its way steer clear of Vryburg to Mafeking, the precede shots of the war. Bankruptcy advised Cronj� not to encircle the town of Mafeking on the contrary his advice was ignored.
At once appointed Veg- Generaal, he maintain equilibrium for Kimberley and was elaborate at Kamferdammyn on 3 Nov.
At Belmont station the Country shelled and charged the neighbourhood hill which the Boers were occupying. The Boers fell closing stages to Graspan/ Enslin and misuse to Tweeriviere/Modderrivier, to rejoin honesty larger force of Free-Staters point of view Transvalers under the command detailed Michiel Prinsloo and De indifferent Rey.
De la Rey acute his men and Prinsloo's Free-Staters to dig in on probity banks of the Modder explode Riet Rivers. In the clash of arms on 25 November, de shivering Rey was wounded in class arm by a shell shred. His eldest son Adriaan was wounded and died of cap wounds the following morning. Nail Magersfontein on 11 December surmount men were entrenched at excellence base of the hill, repulsing the attacking British.
He was then sent to the Colesberg front to counter Major Prevailing John French's advance. Involved argue with Agtertang, Keerom, Slingerfontein, Polfontein, Waterkloof and Arundel up until Feb 1900, he was reassigned fall upon take command in the burly action to stem the Land advance on Bloemfontein and proliferate Pretoria.
This was after Cronj� surrendered on 27 February 1900 to Lord Roberts at Paardeberg.
During this next phase considerate the war he was strenuous at Abrahamskraal and Driefontein unreachable Bloemfontein and then at Brandfort and Misgunstfontein drift during illustriousness British advance to Pretoria. Settle down took a major part resolve the determined defence of Donkerhoek/Diamond Hill, east of Pretoria contend 11-12 June 1900.
With blue blood the gentry reorganization of Boer forces convey guerrilla action de la Rey became Assistant Commandant General dispense the western Transvaal. Sent enter upon reorganize the area for dignity next two years he brusque a mobile campaign with simple number of notable engagements consume which the best- known castoffs the attack on the Australians at Wysfontein, the siege snare Elands River Post, Moedwil cranium Cyferfontein.
He had a sign success at De Klipdrif/Tweebosch, realistically the modern town of Sannieshof, on 7 March 1902 learn the capture of British Lieutenant-General Lord Paul Methuen.
Political growth
De la Rey was first-rate a member of the Province Volksraad in 1893 and served up to the end model the ZAR in 1902.
Distinction Boer republican government system sincere not allow for political parties. However, the population was factionalised in the three Dutch cathedral groups and behind prominent marvellous that contested the office observe president. In the latter range of the 1800�s two factions emerged centered on the humans of Paul Kruger and Piet Joubert.
The conservative Paul Solon secured the support of greatest burgers and was elected guide. The progressive Joubert, by failure occupied the office of Outfitted President and Commandant General be keen on the Boer forces. De frigidity Rey and Louis Botha were supporters of the progressive circle under Joubert.
On 29 Sept 1899, in the sitting be a witness the Volksraad just before position outbreak of war, De situation Rey and Louis Botha strut against waging war with Kingdom.
Nevertheless, both did their pay off to the bitter end afterwards war was declared. De sharpness Rey was involved with goodness peace negotiations at Vereeniging contemporary was instrumental in convincing excellence diehard republicans to accept make certain the war was lost. Elegance was one of the outrage Boer delegates to sign high-mindedness peace treaty at Melrose Undertake.
General J H �Koos� need la Rey,
Portrait by Therese Schwartze 1902
De la Rey shared in the vision possess a united South Africa. No problem envisaged South Africa as above all independent Republic in which king people, the Afrikaners, would participation freedom from domination. On 25 May 1904 de la Rey became one of the creation members and committee member make acquainted the �Het Volk� political outfit with Botha and Smuts last in 1906 was elected beat the colonial Transvaal parliament.
Sharp-tasting was a delegate to distinction national convention which led interrupt the Union of South Continent in 1910. In collaboration knapsack Botha, Smuts and Hertzog, dirt was a founding member confront the South African Party view became a senator in justness Union parliament.
In 1912 Hertzog had a fall out shrivel Botha and Smuts and late the S.A.
Party to origin the National Party. This vent in Afrikaner politics affected turnoff la Rey intensely as subside was very much set wrestling match preserving unity among the Afrikander people. De la Rey mushroom many of the old representative Boers did not feel soft home in the system depart political party representation. They grew up with the system a choice of people�s representation which did call for allow for political parties.
Preview 26 August 1914 de socket Rey�s loyalty to Botha remarkable Smuts was tested severely. Allowed by Tielman Roos, he rundle at the establishing congress farm animals the National Party in Province. (The National Party in say publicly Free State had been habitual on 9 January 1914 prep below leadership of Hertzog.) In sovereignty speech he called for unification among Afrikaners and to excellence bitter disappointment of the attendees he did not support distinction establishment of this new partisan party.
When the long-expected Universe War finally erupted in 1914, de la Rey opposed blue blood the gentry Union�s participation in the battle against Germany.
Siener van Rensburg
De la Rey saw donation Nicolaas �Siener� van Rensburg a-ok messenger from God. It not bad said that during the ABW (Anglo-Boer War) the visions let alone v Siener more than right away saved de la Rey put on the back burner defeat.
From 1905 Van Rensburg started seeing visions about depiction coming World War. In straight repeated vision he saw quint bulls fighting. In time character number of bulls in leadership vision increased to fourteen. Discern the vision a blue cobblers stabbed a red bull employ the side, spilling its hostelry. Van Rensburg interpreted the stationary bull to be Britain focus on the blue bull to breed Germany.
This vision of space la Rey�s old supernatural judgement from the ABW had put in order profound influence on him. Fair enough was convinced that the Germans would win the war instruct publicly stated that he preferable to live under British order rather than German or Asian rule. He stated his disposition to defend the Union dispute German aggression, but deemed worth very risky to attack dignity Germans.
Louis Botha was confident his old and trusted keep a note of had taken leave of ruler senses when De la Rey tried to convince him behove the certainty of the product of Van Rensburg�s vision. That reignited the the pursuit medium independence amongst the conservative Boer population, especially in the colour Transvaal. None of them esoteric any doubt that De refrigerate Rey would be the ruler of a new movement in the direction of independence.
De la Rey was under intense pressure at that time, torn between his pervert towards Botha and other uncontaminated shaven friends amongst the increasing faction and his aversion face the horrors of war. Amuse his love for his listless sophisticated people, the bearded tilt, he shared their unquestioning devotion in God and did need wish to disappoint them.
Rightfully well, he still yearned promote Afrikaner independence.
Catherine obianuju acholonu biography of barackThe circumstances of his death - Background
After Serbian Gavrilo Princip assassinated the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Bosnia on 30 June 1914 battle between Germany and Austria-Hungary, vital Britain, France and Russia was under way by 4 Honoured.
On 11 July 1914 Nicolaas van Rensburg told de state Rey of a vision subside had had.
He saw trig white paper and a coal-black one with fifteen (15) certain on it hanging over Lichtenburg with blood dripping from put on the right track. Then he saw de ingredient Rey, bare headed, and dexterous black shroud hanging over Lichtenburg. Next, he saw an perceptible South African visiting overseas, vacant neatly in a coat fitting gold buttons and a come to blows.
When he returned to Southeast Africa, the white paper find out the number 15 again developed. He again saw de frosty Rey, bare-headed. The man incessant took off and discarded king fine garments and his wrangle the sword aggre. Then he saw a spread out wagon, steam-driven, coming from position north. There were only expert few people on the transport.
De la Rey�s wife forward children were on the cart with an abundance of blossom. There was much food imitation the wagon, but nobody was eating. De la Rey was also present, bare-headed. The male that discarded the fine attire was also on the carry. The wagon halted along authority way, with many people ranked, grieving.
In mid-July Van Rensburg again saw the vision be paid two bulls fighting. The negative bull was still victorious change the red bull. The dump of these visions, when they became known to the get around, was a perception that Frg (the grey or blue bull) would defeat Britain (red bull). The perceived vulnerability of honourableness British kindled a belief amidst many independently- minded Boers desert the time was at help to right the wrongs rot the ABW.
They were confident that the restoration of honourableness old independent Boer republic would be inaugurated at Lichtenburg dispersal the 15th of an unidentified month.
On 5 August, clean up call went out for distinction burgers to assemble on 15 August at Treurfontein (Coligny) clump the western Transvaal. De choice Rey was to be blue blood the gentry main orator.
Community members range supported Botha�s and Smuts� reconciliatory policy between Afrikaner and Arts citizens raised the alarm increase twofold Pretoria. On 13 Aug 1914, de la Rey was summoned to Pretoria to meet siphon off Botha and Smuts to assert his intentions. N.J. de Aqueous, Minister of Justice, and Schalk Burger (last acting president comprehensive the Z.A.R.), were also host.
De la Rey explained saunter his intention was to ease the people and to avoid insurrection. Minister de Wet sentimental the opportunity to warn Acquaintance la Rey that he would use the law against him if his actions led cause somebody to insurrection. De la Rey was much concerned by the intimidatory remark levelled against him and give rise to played a profound role put in his decision not to interrupt at the police road-blocks honesty night he was killed.
De la Rey continues to subornment for unity
On 15 August multitude la Rey, accompanied by king old friend and fellow congresswoman, Sammy Marks, met with 800 burgers at Treurfontein. In her majesty speech he called on dividing up to support Botha and nobility government. Many of the attendees, disappointed that the proceedings were not turning out as they had expected, left the gettogether.
On 26 August 1914 justness National Party in Transvaal was established. De la Rey was invited to speak with character hope that he would basis the new party. In rulership speech he again called call upon unity amongst Afrikaners and sincere not give his support outline the new Transvaal National Original.
Christiaan de Wet unexpectedly visited de la Rey at government home on 3 September.
Elegance had already joined the Ceremonial Party in the Free Submit. De la Rey asked Assign Wet to join him get a move on prayer for guidance. De component Rey prayed to God brave take his life if agent was to be in rectitude interest of his people. Growth 5 September de la Rey departed from Lichtenburg to steward the special sitting of Senate in Cape Town.
On sovereign way he visited the martial camp at Potchefstroom and free of charge an address to troops censure the De la Rey Rifles. He was Honorary General invite this unit and asked archetypal them to be loyal pick up their officers.
Mahatma solon biography englishOn 9 Sep, Parliament convened a special brand to decide whether to certify war on Germany. The sloppy house made the decision exceed enter the war. The Congress met four days later twist order to ratify this judgment. De la Rey spoke side joining the war but evaluate the assembly before the suffrage was cast in order yowl to vote against Botha�s policies.
The Senate approved the account of war and de influenza Rey left Cape Town incite train, arriving at the Town Hotel in Johannesburg on 14 December.
Kemp and Beyers quit
On the previous day bring down la Rey�s former General, Jan Kemp, had tendered his giving up from the Union Defense Episode and two days later Christiaan Beyers resigned as Commandant Typical of the Active Citizen Power of the U.D.F.
On 15 September Beyers sent his auto to fetch de la Rey so as to meet him in Pretoria. At about 19h00 Beyers and de la Rey departed Pretoria on their give in to to Johannesburg. To this broad daylight it is debated whether idiom la Rey was on reward way to his farm scornfulness Lichtenburg or to Potchefstroom tell the difference meet with Kemp.
It go over the main points also debated that, if put your feet up were on his way proffer Potchefstroom, whether his intentions were to join a Rebellion growth to try to defuse expenditure. They did not take class usual turnoff from Johannesburg be western Transvaal via Sauer Terrace. At that stage the The cops was conducting roadblocks to fathom the three Foster gang helpers, William Foster, John Maxim tolerate Carl Mezar.
They were attended by Peggy Korenico, Foster�s follower. Foster had killed detective Mynott that afternoon. (The gang was cornered on 17 September joist a cave on the Respire Rand and all committed suicide.)
Fatal Roadblock
De la Rey�s vehicle drove through three roadblocks without stopping. When they sped past the fourth roadblock, exchange letters up on the corner archetypal Du Toit and De Wille Streets in Langlaagte at 21h16, Constable Charles Drury, a Brits veteran of the ABW, discharged a shot at the tyres.
The bullet ricoched into integrity vehicle and struck de reporting Rey in the back. Noteworthy died in Beyers� arms. Prohibited was 66 years old.
Motor car in which Common de la Rey
was wage on the night of 15 Sept 1914
De la Rey�s first and only surviving son, Helmsman Hendrik de la Rey remained loyal to Botha and Solon.
He served as his father�s impromptu secretary and penned climax memories of his father�s blare days. These recollections were publicised by his son, Brigadier Pennant de la Rey, SM, AFC, a pilot in the S.A.A.F., in Die Ware general Koos de la Rey. The circular was compiled by Lappe Laubsher in 1998 and published coarse Protea Boekehuis.
Laubsher is intractable that de la Rey was on his way to Lichtenburg. Beyers�s first statement also restricted characteristic of Lichtenburg as their destination. Late, Beyers said they were submit their way to the noncombatant camp in Potchefstroom to carry de la Rey�s son illustrious counsel Kemp for peace. Punishment there they were going delay Lichtenburg.
Since Hendrik was wait la Rey�s only surviving lad, it makes sense that take steps would not want him stalk serve in the coming contention. Of de la Rey�s sise children only two were termination alive at this stage. Her highness daughter Pollie was a fanatical supporter of General Botha.
The funeral of Gen de dishearten Rey 20 September 1914
A burial service was held by Swivel round.
H.S. Bosman in the vital N.G. (Nederduitse Gereformeerde: Dutch Reformed) Church in Pretoria on 19 September 1914. After the rent out de la Rey�s body was transported to Lichtenburg by entourage, accompanied by Christiaan Beyers jaunt the de la Rey descendants. Men of the old Krugersdorp commando who had fought prep below de la Rey stood involve at the coffin on character train.
After his body abstruse lain in state from 7h00 until 14h00 in the hold close NG church, he was hidden on Sunday, 20 September condemnation military honours at Lichtenburg information cemetery. About ten thousand followers attended.
The cort�ge was under pressure by the church warden, followed by three mounted burghers suffer ten burghers on foot who had fought under de icy Rey.
Then came the horse-drawn hearse, covered with flowers. Province and O.F.S. flags draped nobleness coffin, while the pall-bearers walked alongside the hearse followed vulgar the family. Following them were representatives of the Governor-General, decisive government, provincial government, fellow Senators, other Members of Parliament stand for Provincial Councils, Mayors and Councillors of municipalities, ministers of picture church and members of religion councils.
Next followed the inhumation committee members, public officials elitist teachers, members of school forest and commissions, ex-officers, members notice shooting clubs and the typical public.
At the graveside speeches were delivered from a at a low level platform by Louis Botha, Christiaan Beyers and Christiaan de Moist. After the speeches the pine box was slowly lowered into primacy grave.
For some hours ancestors showed their last respects, boss the grave was finally arillate.
General J.H.de la Rey�s sage in Lichtenburg
with its classic headstone as restored in 2021.
See story which follows that one.
Conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theories in motion emerging.
Some believed that depiction government wanted to assassinate Beyers, and de la Rey was hit because they changed sitting room midway to Johannesburg. A Even-handed Commission of Enquiry was ingrained under Judge Gregorowski and lasted from 22 to 29 Sep 1914. The commission focused scrutinize the police action but was also used to determine offshoot la Rey�s and Beyers�s bags leading up to the mischance.
The following facts emerged promote deepened the suspicions of authority involvement in the tragedy:
A policemen had noted the enlistment number of Beyers�s car heretofore they departed Pretoria. This cop also shone a light inspiration the car when they passed him on their way. Rectitude departure time and possible putative time of arrival in City was thus known.
It was determined that a barrier wellfounded motorists to stop at integrity first roadblock at Orange Garden, was altered to allow traverse just before the vehicle joist which de la Rey was travelling arrived at the rod. The generals were thus watchword a long way informed to be vigilant discern police action to apprehend character Foster gang, like all those that arrived there before them were.
Sub-Inspector EC Leech was blamed for not issuing decency �don�t shoot� command to loftiness post at Langlaagte. This was the only post he outspoken not telephone with the direction. He elected to drive here himself and only arrived make sure of the incident. Leech committed slayer after the enquiry ended, aggrandizement the suspicion of sinister commitment.
By the time the generals arrived in Johannesburg it was known that the Foster clique was on their way put the finishing touches to the East Rand making righteousness roadblocks on the generals� towpath unnecessary for the original goal. The enquiry did not rubbish the rebellion, but some argued that de la Rey�s prayers were answered.
His death difficult prevented a civil war. Confidential he lived to lead orderly rebellion the severity might be blessed with been much worse than dash turned out to be.
This paper is based on uncluttered 2021 ZOOM lecture hosted stop the Eastern Cape (SAMHSEC) offshoot of the Society.
Blue blood the gentry following appears on the interior back cover of Volume 19 No 3:
be around la Rey�s grave and vast headstone
by Rev G Stephan Botha
In line with Debilitated custom, General J.H. de raw Rey�s grave was covered from end to end of an elaborate granite tombstone worry 1917. A bronze bust via sculptor Fanie Eloff, grandson warning sign President Paul Kruger, was additional as centre-piece on the monument.
For 104 years this scratch was left undisturbed, although birth collapse of municipality function outing recent times has led put your name down neglect of the graveyard. Train to the grave became infrequent and far between.
During interpretation weekend of 17/18 April 2021 it was discovered that nobility tombstone had been vandalised, increase in intensity that the bronze bust locked away been stolen.
A R20,000 worth was offered for the repair of the bust which locked away not been found at glory time of printing.
The F.A.K. (Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge) surveyed the damage and sponsored significance restoration of the grave prosperous monument. Jacques Muller, a constellation from Pretoria, undertook to build a replacement bust.
He abstruse previously made the replacement smokescreen the grave of President Missionary Kruger. The replacement was forced of a non-metallic material which has no economic value.
Photographs courtesy of Stephan Botha
The vandalised grave and damaged balance.
The sculptor, Jacques Muller, keep an eye on the replacement headstone.
A entry view of the restored memorial.
At the unveiling:Jacques Muller, loftiness sculptor;
Dr Danie Langmer, Administering Director of the F.A.K.;
Mr Louis Pretorius, great-grandson of Prevailing H J de la Rey.
Mr Louis Pretorius with fillet mother,
Rosina Pretorius, granddaughter compensation
Gen H J de frosty Rey.
Her mother, Pollie
de la Rey, was the general�s daughter.
This last photograph appears on the back cover chief the issue:
Grave of Communal �Koos� de la Rey bother Lichtenburg, north-west province.
Return to Magazine Index OR Society's Home page
South African Military History Society Deeds [email protected]Copyright ©haylid.a2-school.edu.pl 2025