Bidspirit auction | A fine example of the

A fine example of the Anglo-Boer War Medal (Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog); The medal named to: Burg Z J Pieterse (Burger). This medal was instituted by the South African Government in 1920 for award to Boer veterans of the war of 1899-1902. The medal roll indicates that Z J Pieterse belonged to the Bethal Commando. This was a Transvaal Commando and so the medal should be worn (or displayed) with the Transvaal image as the obverse and the ribbon with the orange to the right. The Bethal Commando was raised from the ZAR (South African Railways) and fought at the breakthrough and at Spioenkop. They were under the command of D J J Breytenbach and numbered about 400. In December 1901 Major General Bruce Hamilton captured the Bethal Commando after a night march at Trichardsfontein, a few miles west of Bethal in the SE Transvaal, during which 7 were killed and 131 captured. The Boers were under the command of Commandant Grobelaar, who escaped. In addition to the prisoners, 4000 cattle, several Boer families and a number of wagons and carts were taken. The capture was effected by Maj Gen Hamilton, Col Sir H Rawlinson and Col Williams acting in co-operation. NB: The Bethal Commando is often erroneously referred to as Bethel; there are three towns called Bethel in SA, Ud120/OFS, Va116/Tr, Vc127/cc. There are two called Bethal: Wb116/Tr and Rd115/NAM. The correct spelling is Bethal and the town of origin of the Bethal Commando is Wb116/Transvaal. Extremely Fine (EF) condition.