TOPIC:

A mining town of Koffyfontein located in the Free State, on the road between Fauresmith and Jakobsdal

On 11 February 1900, Christiaan de Wet was send to Koffyfontein and on the next Day Cronje was despatched there to halt to British advance towards Bloemfontein which was believed to be passing through the town.

By a singular coincidence Christian De Wet was at Jacobsdal, about twenty miles due south of Cronje's head laager, on February the 11th, and moved south towards Waterfall Drift, on the Riet River, that night with 500 men; almost at the very time that General French commenced his dash north for Kimberley with his 5,000 horsemen, by the way of the very same drift. De Wet's unerring military instinct took him on this reconnaissance without any definite knowledge of Roberts' design, and without orders from Cronje. He had heard of suspicious movements on the Free State border, west of Koffyfontein, and set out for that place. He reached the drift a few hours only before a patrol ahead of French's flying column arrived on the south side of the river. On the English general learning that the drift was defended he swung to the right to another drift, a few miles eastward, leaving some troops at Waterfall Drift to contain the opposing Boer force, while the main body of the column should cross over the more eastern passage. French took his whole column over here without opposition, and sending patrols ahead to guard against possible attacks on his left flank when passing Jacobsdal, he directed his course towards Klip Drift.
Source: www.angloboerwar.com/books/37-davitt-boe...apter-xxx-paardeberg

Commandant Visser and his commando was reported to be near the town on 4 October 1900. Assistant Resident Magistrate, Captain Robibson, KLH, organised the defence using a garrison comprising some 50 miners and a few local police

Visser demanded the surrender of the town 12 October but did not press his claim. Hertzog's commando arracked the town on 24 October but the tiny garrison held out until relief arrived on 3 November 1900.

On the 3rd of November Koffyfontein, which had been besieged since the 24th of October, was relieved by Sir Charles Parsons and some of General Settle's Mounted troops. The dogged way in which a garrison of but fifty miners under a volunteer officer, Captain Robertson of the Kimberley Light Horse, withstood the persistence of the foe, excited the admiration of friends and enemies. The miners in the debris heaps contrived so cleverly to render their position impregnable that all the efforts of the enemy were frustrated. Captain Robertson escaped with his life by a miracle. He, with four natives, made a midnight raid on a Boer hot-bed—a farmhouse a mile and a half from the village. He was met by a man with a Mauser, who fortunately missed him, but in so doing extinguished the light. A hand-to-hand encounter followed, and in complete darkness some thrilling moments were passed—the officer firing ineffectual shots, the Boer being assisted by another of his tribe, who succeeded in disarming Captain Robertson and wounding him, almost stunning him with the butt of a rifle. This gallant officer, with some of his wits still about him, regained his pistol, and transferring it from one hand to the other, shot his assailant dead.
Source: Creswicke, Vol VI, Chapter 8

A temporary hospital was located at Koffyfontein between August 1901 and May 1902.

QSAs are known to the Koffyfontein Defence Force

See the Forum posts on medals to the KDF

Captain Robertson of the Kimberley Light Horse was appointed Assistant Resident Magistrate at Koffyfontein, a small mining town in the south-west of the Orange River Colony. In the beginning of October 1900 there was a recrudescence of Boer activity in the district. Robertson found himself the only military man in the town, but he armed some fifty miners. On 12th October Commandant Viser demanded the surrender of the place, which was refused. On the 16th Robertson withdrew from the town and occupied a position at the mines which he entrenched. On the 21st the enemy attacked but did not press home. On the 23rd Robertson raided a farm-house occupied by the enemy, and a fierce hand-to-hand struggle took place. One man on each side was killed and two Boers were captured. On the 25th Hertzog demanded surrender and next day attacked fiercely, but the enemy was driven off. On 3rd November the gallant garrison was relieved by Sir C Parsons. Lord Roberts complimented Captain Robertson and his men.
Source: www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/so...berley-mounted-corps

In the meantime, the towns in the south-west had been repeatedly attacked by several commandos, which manoeuvred independently. As early as October 4th, a Boer force was reported to be advancing on Koffyfontein ; and on the 12th Commandant Visser summoned the garrison (fifty miners under Captain Robertson, Kimberley Light Horse) to surrender. Instead, Robertson's men took up a position, and throughout the month successfully resisted several attacks before being relieved on November 3rd. Not so fortunate or so alert were some other towns.
Source: Maurice chapter 3, volume 20