Chris Boonzaier

that is a really strange looking thing.... the sheath looks like a shortened German WW1 or WW2 one. the back of the handle looks to be adapted from A German bayonet and the blade looks like the US bayonets.... Did the Israelis make them from parts?

"Burger Cornelius Machiel Du Plooy joined the Bethal Commando on 10.5.1900, fought in the Eastern Transvaal and was captured on 4.12.1901 at Vantondershoek. He was sent to the Prisoner of War camps on Bermuda. " Here is the description of an ABO to the same unit, captured on the same day... so I assume we can say Kleynhans was captured at vantondershoek.

never wore the medal... it is just perfect...

Here is another fantastic one... To Burger J. Doyer... Served in all the big battles and was a "bitter-ender" going through the whole Guerrila phase of the war....

The last three medals are nemed to the son Who was in the Camp as an infant. Jan Hendrik Kleynhans.

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I was going through my stuff this morning looking for an Item to toss in the sale section and this one was initially shortlisted... Then I dug out the papers and saw how much research potential is there... Cornelius Daniel Kleynhans.. He missed the beginning of the war as he was serving as Landdrost/Magistrate for the town of Bethal, but when the Town fell to the invaders he went "on Commando" and served in the Guerilla phase of the war, until he was captured on the 4.12.01 and sent as a POW to St Helena. While he was on Commando the British put his wife and son in a Concentration Camp in Balmoral, then near Durban. One of the main streeets in Bethal is named after him (There are not that many streets in Bethal...) In Bethal there is a museum about the war.. http://www.encounter.co.za/bethal-museum.html

Thanks, that is what I was guessing. Best Chris

A very nice pic indeed!!!

This one definatley not a Jäger... and idea from the shoulderboard?

I am sure this guy is not a jäger... from the boots... is it mounted?

Thanks, the In Sursis was the info that was needed... can you figure out what it says after the "eclat de Obus" part in the reason for death? And why he would get a military death card? And be so close to the front???????

Well, its obvious that he does not have the good looks of an infantryman.. :-) Nicht War IrishGunner? Well, I guess that inspite of the round head its not von eichhorn then, he was infantry. tghanks Chris

This looks to be a scarce Lippe Detmold official death certificate... but to a man of the IR69.... Can anyone figure out how that connection works??

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Bah, after almost trading these as unresearched... the research turned up in a drawer... lost for 3 years.... Can anyone tell me the unit? Maybe where they were fighting? Thanks Chris

The pre WW1 Photo was taken in Legnitz... no date... he is pretty high in rank, but did not get the EK1.... From his rather round face... could he be Von Eichhorn?

Hi, a quick brain pick although I had a similar quesion 5 years ago... A set of numbered but not issued wings... what is a realistic price? I dont mean a "if you are lucky on ebay you can get them for USD50" or a "millionaire Russian collector paid USD1000 for one with the number corresponding to his birthdate"... but rather a fair market price... what do SA dealers take for them? Thanks Chris

I am not a buckle guy, and have not kept up with WW2 for about 10 years or so.... But I like it....

I love these and will be buried with my two :-) It makes me cry to think of how 30 years ago I had 3 and we used to throw them in the garden... then traded them for junk at a dealer. I saw 4 last time in SA, 2 at a "dealer" who was simply mad (pricewise) and 2 at a collector who did not want to trade. Every South African should have one of these and not be allowed to die until he was owned one... somehow, although from the enemy it the bayonet closest tied to SA heritage and history (were the most popular souveniers after the campaign in GSWA)

Fantastic little group. And nice to have a face to it! Best Chris

Back at IR112 seller Wuhling1142

Hi Max, Interesting stuff indeed! Would love to see more!