Anglo-Boer War Diaries of Jan Geldenhuys

Jan Geldenhuys was called up in October 1899 to serve in the Kroonstad Commando on the Western Front and deployed for the Siege of Kimberley. He fought at the Battles of Belmont, Graspan,Twee- Reviere (Modder River), Magersfontein and several other skirmishes. After Bloemfontein was occupied, he teamed up with Braam Preller, his father-in-law, and adopted 'fight and flight' tactics. His home was burnt down and wife interned in the Kroonstad Concentration Camp, where his new-born daughter died. He was captured in April 1902 and banished as a prisoner of war to Umballa, India, where his experiences till Thursday 20th November 1902 were documented. He shared a tent with his father-in-law and later met up with his father and brother who were POW's at Bhimtal. His diaries are lodged with the Anglo-Boer War museum in Bloemfontein. The author's grandmother, Lizzie Preller, having published her "Oorlogsherinneringe" (memoirs), provided the inspiration to add this addition to African history.