TOPIC:

I have an ABO Medal ( DTD missing ) to one of the 60 delegates ( and one of the 54 voters in favour ) to the Vereeniging Peace Congress 1902
I am wondering how many delegates' medals are known in collections and museums and whether collectors attach any importance to this participation

Hi
I have the DTD to Commandant Andries Jacobus Bester of the Bloemfontein Commando: one of the 6 Delegates who voted against ending the war. He held strong views about the matter and is recorded as having said:
“I have been delegated by a commando of 800 men, and although General de Wet clearly explained our position to them, these 800 men declared that they would not submit to England. My commando has been taking part in the war since the commencement, and we have sacrificed everything already that was dear to us, all for our national existence and independence. Eight months ago my commando was in very bad circumstances. We were badly sup¬plied with horses and clothing, but now we are furnished with all we want, almost as well as when we commenced the war. Every burgher has at least two horses, and some have five, and they are all full of courage. Where they get the courage from is a riddle to me, because dark days have passed over them”.
The Peace Negotiations by Kestell & Van Velden p191

If you post a list maybe we could check?

Hi
List of delegates



In addition to Comdt Bester's DTD, I have the DTD/ABO to Comdt Alexander Ross, the ABO/Union Medal 1910 to Burger J de Clerqq and the ABO/Union Medal 1910 to Commandant B I J van Heeerden. I sold the DTD to Commandant Fleming more than 10 years ago.
Burger de Clercq was one of the nominees as Chairman of the meeting. He received 13 votes against Gen Beyers' 19.
Henk

I have the medal, only an ABO missing its DTD, to Kommandant DJ Schoeman the head of the Lydenburg commando. He voted for peace.

Thank you for starting this thread. It makes me wonder where all these people's medals are. I found Kestell's book about the Peace Negotiations very interesting and this has also made me wonder where General C R De Wet's medals are. I defy anyone not to read Three Years War and not feel compassion for the Boers. I hope more members get involved with this thread and perhaps post images of the medals.

I mustn't miss out Louis Botha or Jan Smuts either. Where are their medals?