5 MAY 1900 - NEAR WINBURG

[archie777]

WO 108/372 (SA Surrenders): When employed on Intelligence work, 3 men of Rimington’s Guides approached Winburg, which was reported clear of the enemy.

 

Suddenly “held up” by 14 Boers from behind a kraal wall and had to surrender. One man afterwards escaped.

Tpr. F.D. Marais. Damant’s Horse. Francois Duminy Marais left his Johannesburg legal practice as a refugee in September 1899 and enlisted in Rimington’s Guides 4 months later.

 

He was one of the men captured near Winburg by Boers from Gen Chris Botha’s Commando and sent to Waterval Camp, north of Pretoria. According to his biography in “Men of the Times” he eventually escaped, re-joined his unit and subsequently transferred to Lord Roberts’ Headquarters Staff as an interpreter with the rank of Lieutenant, for which service he reputedly earned a KSA.

 

However, according to the QSA Roll for Damant’s Horse he was only entitled to a SA’01 clasp and his name is not found on the relevant KSA rolls. 

 

His escape is verified as his name is not among the Rimington’s Guides PoW’s released at Waterval early June 1900.

 

After the war, he returned to Johannesburg and was involved in lengthy procedures claiming compensation amounting to £66 for items stolen from his lodgings prior to the British Occupation of Johannesburg.

Edited May 31 by archie777