Today in Kimberley's History
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Dr Leander Starr Jameson launches a raid into the Transvaal Republic - 1895
Since the finding of gold in the Witwatersrand in 1884, the Boers had resented the influx of uitlanders (foreigners) that had entered the Transvaal Republic to work the mines. The Kruger government put pressure on the mining companies in the form of taxes and controlling the supply of dynamite, to the frustration of Cecil Rhodes and other mine owners.
In 1895 the Reform Movement, led by mine owners in the Transvaal Republic and secretly supported by Cecil Rhodes, plotted to overthrow the Transvaal government. A raid was launched on 29 December 1895, when Leander Starr Jameson led a band of 600 British armed men across the border from Mafikeng (then called Mafeking) in Bechuanaland in an illegal attempt to support the rebellious Uitlanders. Jameson, however, had been too hasty. Communication was poor and plans were botched when all telegraph lines were not cut as planned.
Consequently, the Boers received warning of the attack, and Jameson was forced to surrender at Doornkop on 2 January 1896. Jameson and his officers were sent to Pretoria, and, after a short delay, during which time sections of the Boer populace clamoured for the execution of Jameson, President Kruger handed them over to the British government for punishment following the on the surrender of Johannesburg on 7 January 1896.
Since the finding of gold in the Witwatersrand in 1884, the Boers had resented the influx of uitlanders (foreigners) that had entered the Transvaal Republic to work the mines. The Kruger government put pressure on the mining companies in the form of taxes and controlling the supply of dynamite, to the frustration of Cecil Rhodes and other mine owners.
In 1895 the Reform Movement, led by mine owners in the Transvaal Republic and secretly supported by Cecil Rhodes, plotted to overthrow the Transvaal government. A raid was launched on 29 December 1895, when Leander Starr Jameson led a band of 600 British armed men across the border from Mafikeng (then called Mafeking) in Bechuanaland in an illegal attempt to support the rebellious Uitlanders. Jameson, however, had been too hasty. Communication was poor and plans were botched when all telegraph lines were not cut as planned.
Consequently, the Boers received warning of the attack, and Jameson was forced to surrender at Doornkop on 2 January 1896. Jameson and his officers were sent to Pretoria, and, after a short delay, during which time sections of the Boer populace clamoured for the execution of Jameson, President Kruger handed them over to the British government for punishment following the on the surrender of Johannesburg on 7 January 1896.
75 days since beginning of the Siege of Kimberley, 1899
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
The officers of the Lancashires went to the Colonel and asked if the swimming bath in the Gardens might be filled 'Because, you know,' they said, 'our Tommies are getting so very fruity!' This graphic appeal had the desired result, of course.
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
The officers of the Lancashires went to the Colonel and asked if the swimming bath in the Gardens might be filled 'Because, you know,' they said, 'our Tommies are getting so very fruity!' This graphic appeal had the desired result, of course.