1900 – Honouring Kimberley's Defenders

6 days since the lifting of the Siege of Kimberley

Although the siege was over, military duties continued for many of Kimberley's volunteers and medical personnel.

Winifred Heberden recorded that her husband, Dr Jack Heberden, received orders to accompany a column heading towards Barkly West, only for fresh intelligence to divert the force towards Schmidt's Drift after reports that Boer commandos were threatening the district and the vital pumping engines at Riverton. When Dr Heberden returned to Kimberley later that day, it was not to rest but to report an urgent problem. The Boers had left the local water supply in such a filthy condition that he feared disease would soon spread among the troops unless immediate action was taken. Even after the fighting had moved away from Kimberley, restoring clean water remained a matter of life and death.

There was better news elsewhere. Lord Methuen arrived in Kimberley to assume responsibility for administering the district while military operations continued beyond the town. Colonel Robert Kekewich, whose steadfast leadership had guided Kimberley through 124 days of siege, sent printed messages of thanks to the soldiers, volunteers and civilians who had helped defend the Diamond City. The messages were warmly received and became treasured reminders of a remarkable shared achievement.

For Dr Jack Heberden, the day brought particular recognition. His devoted service throughout the siege earned him a Mention in Despatches, and his name appeared in Lord Roberts' First Honours List with the award of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). As Kimberley returned to peace, the courage and sacrifice of its defenders were beginning to receive the recognition they deserved.

Did You Know?

Colonel Robert Kekewich personally sent printed messages of thanks to those who had defended Kimberley during the siege. Many recipients treasured these as lasting reminders of their service to the Diamond City.

1917 – Kimberley's Sons Lost on the SS Mendi

On 21 February 1917, South Africa suffered one of its greatest wartime tragedies when the troopship SS Mendi sank in the English Channel after being struck by the cargo vessel SS Darro in dense fog. The Mendi was carrying more than 800 members of the South African Native Labour Corps to France, where they would support the Allied war effort on the Western Front. Within minutes of the collision, the ship began to sink.

As panic spread, the Reverend Isaac Wauchope Dyobha is remembered for calming the men with words that have become part of South African history: "Be quiet and calm, my countrymen... We are the sons of Africa... let us die like brothers." A total of 646 people lost their lives, making the sinking of the SS Mendi one of South Africa's worst maritime disasters.

The tragedy touched Kimberley directly. Among those who never returned were men who had enlisted in Kimberley and Beaconsfield, including John Lekhoto, Willie Mijana, Peter Motobi, Percy, Gilmore Ratshogo of Beaconsfield, Makeleni, who had a Kimberley enlistment connection, and John Kataza, who served with "C" Company of the 5th Battalion. These men left Kimberley believing they were serving their country and supporting the Allied cause. Instead, they became part of one of the most poignant chapters in South African military history. Today, their sacrifice is remembered alongside those commemorated at Kimberley's Honoured Dead Memorial and other memorials dedicated to the city's wartime service.

Did You Know?

At least seven members of the South African Native Labour Corps with Kimberley or Beaconsfield connections lost their lives when the SS Mendi sank on 21 February 1917, bringing one of South Africa's greatest wartime tragedies directly into the history of the Diamond City.