The Dundee Diehards donned red coats yet again as they lost the battle at the recent Majuba re-enactment outside Newcastle.
Unlike the day of the battle in 1881, the weather was clear and warm as the Diehards faced off against the Boer commandos, who had a smaller turnout than on previous occasions.
The Diehards had men from Newcastle and Dundee among their ranks, with some even traveling from Durban and Gauteng.
The Boer forces brightened the day by parading flags and firing cannons. Dean Ceary, an American country singer, even performed a few old Boer songs.
The Diehards’ Gavin Slater stressed that re-enactments are not done to “glorify war,” but rather to bring history to life and ensure that the younger generation is aware of the past so that they do not repeat the same mistakes in the future.
The Diehards will be back in action at Val, near Standerton, to recreate the famous whiskey train incident of 1900, in which Boers held up a train carrying canteen goods, forage, and a quantity of bottled beer, spirits, and champagne.
The Boers carted away all the liquor on five ox wagons loaded with goods.
On May 1, the group will also attend the Pro Patria military fair at the Voortrekker Monument.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Diehards can contact Gavin at 984 485 9173.
See photos here:
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