TOPIC:

I would like information on the death of the British appointed magistrate in Klerksdorp around 1900/01. According to family lore my grandfather, at that time a 13 year old boy, might have been responsible for his death.
Ronette Engela

Hi Ronette

This could be the start of a most interesting addition to this forum. Please tell us the family's version of events.

Regards
Brett

My grandfather (b 1888) told my father the following story. My great-grandfather and two brothers were captured as prisoners of war at Paardeberg (with Cronje). Three Engela families remained in Klerksdorp, and as was the times, bitter against the British. My grandfather and friends always played in the Schoonspruit that runs through Klerksdorp. One day they found a gun and kept it hidden. One morning while playing at the spruit again, he saw the British magistrate on his way to work on his horse and shot him. He threw the gun into the water, run home and never told anybody that he had shot the magistrate. As an old man he told my father about it and said it has always bothered he killed a man. (My grandfather was later one of the first students at University of Pretoria and started Milner and Union schools in Klerksdorp).

Could this be a true story? Where can I look for records on the British magistrate in Klerksdorp during the war?

As a child, it has always struck me as story about the horrors of war. That a 12/13 year old boy just shot someone in cold blood.

Ronette

A most interesting story, Ronette !

You could send a private message to forum member "Klerksdorp-historian." He could probably help with some details of the magistrate of the time.
www.angloboerwar.com/forum/profile/userid-2347

Cheers,

Mark

Hi Ronette
I have done a computer scan of the SAFF Casualty Rolls with "place" listed as Klerksdorp and Near klerksdorp. No civil casualty recorded
Henk Loots