UPDATED: 06/11/2024
6 November 1899, First shelling of Kimberley by the Boers during the siege.
Pictured is the Boer gun position at Olifantsfontein from which the Boer Armstrong 9 pounder fired at Wesselton Mine, and the Armstrong 9 pounder that fired the shells.
Boers fire first shells into Kimberley
On Saturday 4 November 1899, Hoof Commandant Cornelis J Wessels (in command of the OFS forces besieging Kimberley) demanded the immediate surrender of Kimberley, and if denied, that all Boer families be allowed to leave the city. He also advised that safe conduct would be given to women and children of other nationalities. Lt-Colonel RG Kekewich, commanding the forces within Kimberley, replied in the negative and invited Wessels to occupy the town as an action of war. The ultimatum given by Wessels to Kekewich expired at 6pm on Monday 6 November and shortly thereafter Boer guns fired into Kimberley for the first time when two shells were fired at the Premier Mine (Wesselton Mine) but fell short.
Armstrong 9 Pounder
6 November 1899, First shelling of Kimberley by the Boers during the siege.
DID YOU KNOW
At 2pm on Wednesday 1 November 1899 the Boers crept closer to Kimberley, blowing up the De Beers dynamite magazine on Dronfield Ridge and taking up positions along the ridge.
On Friday 3 November the Boers raided Kenilworth and Dronfield farms, capturing 200 cows, 220 oxen, 180 donkeys and 100 horses. There was also a minor action at Carter’s Farm to the south west of Kimberley.
The following day, Saturday 4 November, Hoof Commandant CJ Wessels (in command of the OFS forces besieging Kimberley) demanded immediate surrender of Kimberley, and if denied, that all Boer families be allowed to leave the city. He also advised that safe conduct would be given to women and children of other nationalities. Kekewich replied in the negative and invited Wessels to occupy the town as an action of war.
The ultimatum given by Wessels to Kekewich expired at 6pm on 6 November and shortly thereafter Boer guns fired into Kimberley for the first time when two shells were fired at the Premier Mine but fell short of the target.
On Tuesday 7 November 36 shells landed in Newton township and at Premier Mine (now Wesselton Mine).
Pictured is the Boer gun position at Olifantsfontein, Wesselton Mine in the distance.
From Kimberley Calls and Recalls on Facebook By Steve Lunderstedt
Shortlink for this post: https://www.kimberley.org.za/?p=11174
