TOPIC:

Does anyone know if its worth trying to visit the area around Doornkop ? Is such an important site relating to Jameson and the 2nd Boer War . I am aware its now in the middle of a developed area but are there any areas that the land still relates to any part of the battle ?

Hi

Doornkop memorial and its surrounds is in an area somewhat blighted by rapid unplanned urban development. Tourists should be extremely cautious about visiting the area. I sometimes go to the area in the course of my work and I aim to arrive, do what I have to do and leave as soon as I can so that anyone considering attacking me has as brief a window of opportunity as possible. It is probably safer to go with a local, but not necessarily so. If you go be careful, especially if you get out of your vehicle and wander around.

But seeing that you're going to be in camo and armed, I'm sure you will be safe, unless you are targeted by someone trying to get your firearm.

Somewhere worth visiting is the old Krugersdorp cemetery across the road from the Krugersdorp Correctional Centre (Prison). It has graves related to the Raid as well as to the Boer War, including that of a VC recipient.

The Braamfontein cemetery also has quite a few Boer War graves as does the cemetery in Primrose, Germiston.

Best regards

Peter Jordi

'General Hamilton's advance on Johannesburg, the Derbyshires attacking at Doornkop

On May 29, the enemy were discovered barring the way to Roodepoort and Florida. A battle was fought at Doornkop on ground which is historical as the scene of the Jameson disaster. The Boers were 6,000 strong with six guns and Pom-poms. The 21st Brigade advanced on Roodepoort in front, the CIV in the centre, the Derbyshire Regiment on the left, and the Cameron Highlanders on the right. The Sussex Regiment, which was originally in reserve, were then skilfully moved, and soon afterwards the 19th Brigade (Canadians, Gordon Highlanders, the DCLI) and the Shropshire Light Infantry in reserve, also advanced to take the main Boer position, while the 21st Brigade acted as an outflanking force. The advance was gradual to the Boer position, which was a strong one, with many natural inequalities. The ground, besides, was blackened with grass fires, against which the khaki made an excellent mark. The Gordons carried the main position at the point of the bayonet. The CIV cleared the enemy immediately in front of Roodepoort, the Boers making their final flight just as darkness was falling. The Boers evacuated the entire position at nightfall, and thus Johannesburg lay open to General Hamilton, who bivouacked on the ground taken.'

'To the memory of Gordon Highlanders who fell at Doornkop

In the battle of Doornkop, near Johannesburg, fought on May 29, the Gordons bore the brunt of the fighting, losing 22 officers and men. Our photograph is by a British officer.'

The Graphic, 1 September 1900

'A Corporal who has won the VC.

Corporal McKay, who is here shown cutting a bandage, greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Doornkop by carrying wounded to safe places and coolly dressing their wounds whilst he himself was exposed to a fearful fire. He was recommended for the VC. Corporal McKay, on July 11, at the battle of Wolverkrantz, seeing Captain Younger lying wounded beside the guns exposed to certain death from the enemy's marksmen, went out alone and carried the Captain to a place of safety. Corporal McKay was again recommended for the VC which he had just received.'



MACKAY, JOHN FREDERICK, University student, joined the 1st Gordon Highlanders. He served with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders in the campaign on the North-West Frontier, India, and with the Tirah Expeditionary Force 1897—98, taking part in all the principal engagements, including Dargai, Tirah Maidan, Warran Valley, Bara River, and operations in Dwatoi country. For these services he received the Tirah Medal and the Punjab Frontier Medal with two clasps.

He served with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and afterwards with the King's Own Scottish Borderers in the South African War of 1899-1901. He was present in the advance on Kimberley, 1899, including the action at Magersfontein; the operations in the Orange Free State, including the actions at Paardeberg and Zand River; the operations in the Transvaal, including the actions of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Belfast, 1900; the operations in the east of the Transvaal in 1901. For these services he received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, was twice mentioned in Despatches, and was awarded the Victoria Cross in connection with the action at Doornkop, near Johannesburg, South Africa, 28 May, 1900, the particulars of which are given in the London Gazette of 10 August 1900. His Victoria Cross was gazetted 10 August 1900: 'John Frederick MacKay, Gordon Highlanders. Date of Act of Bravery: 20 May 1900. On the 20th May, 1900, during the action at Doornkop, near Johannesburg, MacKay repeatedly rushed forward, under a withering fire at short range, to attend to wounded comrades, dressing their wounds whilst he himself was without shelter, and in one instance carrying a wounded man from the open under a heavy fire to the shelter of a boulder'. His name was again submitted for the Victoria Cross in connection with an act of gallantry in the action at Wolverkrantz, near Krugersdorp, on 11 July, 1900.

Captain MacKay was seconded for service May, 1903, with the Southern Nigeria Regiment. He accompanied the expeditions to the Ime River, Cross River and Ibibio Country, 1904 and 1905. He accompanied the Bende Hinterland Expedition in 1905 and 1906. He also served with the Northern Nigeria Regiment in 1907, in command of the Ogumi Patrol. He received the West African General Service Medal with four clasps, and was twice mentioned in Despatches. He was transferred on promotion in 1907 from the King's Own Scottish Borderers to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. In the European War he served in France in 1915 and 1916. Returning in 1916, he was promoted to the command of the 2/6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, which appointment he held until the battalion was disbanded. Lieutenant Colonel MacKay was, in August 1919, serving with his regiment, the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

See the post containing a picture of Captain Younger's grave

'After the battle of Doornkop: The Gordon Highlanders enjoying a wash

In the battle of Doornkop, near Johannesburg, the Gordon Highlanders bore the brunt of the fighting. Lieutenant General Ian Hamilton found the enemy posted with artillery. The British attacked at once The 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders on the right captured on end of the ridge, and wheeling round cleared it of the enemy in spite of an obstinate resistance. Our illustration, which is from a photograph by a British officer, shows the men of the Gordons enjoying a luxurious wash after their day's work.'