Daniel Theron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Theron
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Theron as Commandant of the Wielrijders Rapportgangers Corps, 1899
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| Birth name | Daniël Johannes Stephanus Theron |
| Nickname(s) | Danie |
| Born | 9 May 1872 Tulbagh, Cape Colony |
| Died | 5 September 1900 (aged 28) Gatsrand, South African Republic (near Fochville) |
| Allegiance |  South African Republic |
| Years of service | 1899 – 1900 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Scout |
| Commands held | Theron se Verkenningskorps (Theron Reconnaissance Corps), South African Republic |
| Battles/wars | Malaboch War Second Boer War: -- Battle of Paardeberg -- Spioen kop |
| Other work | School teacher, lawyer |
Daniël Johannes Stephanus "Danie" Theron (born May 9, 1872 – died September 5, 1900) was a brave military leader and amazing scout for the Boer Army. He was born in Tulbagh, Cape Colony, and grew up in Bethlehem, Orange Free State.
Danie is famous for creating a special bicycle unit for the Boer Army. They used bikes to scout ahead and send messages quickly. He first worked as a school teacher. Later, he became a lawyer in Krugersdorp, Transvaal Republic. When the Second Boer War started, he became a commandant, which is like a commander, in the Boer forces.
During the war, he led an important scouting group called Theron se Verkenningskorps (TVK). He fought in battles like the Battle of Spion Kop. One of his most famous actions happened at the Battle of Paardeberg. The British Commander in Chief, Lord Roberts, called Theron "the hardest thorn in the flesh of the British advance." Lord Roberts even offered a reward of £1,000 for him, dead or alive. He sent 4,000 soldiers to find and stop the TVK.
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Early Life
Danie Theron was one of fifteen children. His parents were Charlise Helena Margaretha and Willem Wouter Theron. He started his career as a school teacher. Later, he studied law and opened his own law firm.
Before the Second Boer War, Theron was a commando in the 1894 Malaboch War. He also trained scouts for reconnaissance missions until 1899. People who knew Theron described him as thin and tough. He had a dark complexion and a quick temper.
Danie Theron in the Second Boer War
Theron became a Boer commandant. He was put in charge of organizing and leading the Boer reconnaissance scouts. This group was called the Therons Verkenningskorps (TVK). To save horses for fighting, he started using bicycles for sending messages and scouting.
His 105 recruits were given revolvers, binoculars, and sometimes light rifles. The TVK would watch British movements. They also studied British tactics during battles.
Scouting Missions
Scouting missions became Theron's special skill. He could move through the land without being seen. As the war went on, Theron and his men moved closer to the Western front. Boer forces, led by General Piet Cronje, often fought with British forces. The TVK became known for destroying railway bridges.
Lord Roberts called Theron "the chief thorn in the side of the British." A reward of £1,000 was offered for his capture.
Battle of Paardeberg
Theron's most famous action was at the Battle of Paardeberg. On February 25, 1900, General Piet Cronje and thousands of Boer troops were surrounded by British forces. The Boers were outnumbered and losing the battle. Theron acted as a messenger for another Boer commander.
He bravely sneaked through the British lines. He delivered a plan for a breakout operation. Then, he sneaked back through the lines to give Cronje's reply. The TVK helped many Boer civilians and soldiers cross the river to safety. But despite Theron's efforts, the plan failed. Most of the Boer forces surrendered.
Guerrilla Warfare
After the British took over parts of the Orange Free State in March 1900, Theron and the TVK became famous. They fought a guerrilla campaign against the British forces. The TVK attacked trains and rail yards. They ambushed and captured British soldiers and officers. They also blew up bridges. They even freed captured Boer fighters from British prisons.
Sometimes, while scouting alone, Theron met the British Army Chief of Scouts, the American Frederick Russell Burnham. Both times, the two men exchanged gunfire from a distance.
In July 1900, the British sent 4,000 soldiers to find and stop the TVK. After one fight with this large force on July 19, Theron managed to escape. He kept raiding, but the TVK was always on the run.
Death
While scouting alone on a small hill (koppie) at Gatsrand, he met seven British soldiers. He was killed in action. Danie almost ran into the cavalry group. But he reacted quickly and opened fire. He nearly stopped the whole group of seven. He killed three and injured four.
However, his gunfire drew attention from nearby artillery. The field guns fired at the koppie, which killed him. General de Wet said, "Men as lovable or as valiant there might be, but where shall I find a man who combined so many virtues and good qualities in one person?"
On September 15, 1900, the men of the TVK dug up their Commandant's body. They reburied him in the Pienaar family cemetery near Fochville. On March 10, 1903, Theron's last wish was carried out. His body was moved again. He was reburied next to his fiancée, Hannie Neethling, on her father's farm.
Legacy
On December 28, 1907, Generals Louis Botha and Jan Smuts unveiled the Danie Theron Monument near Potchefstroom.
On September 9, 1950, a monument was unveiled where Danie Theron died. This spot is near the N12 road between Johannesburg, South Africa and Potchefstroom. The monument has special meanings:
- The main part has 50 concrete rings. These represent the 50 years since Danie Theron died in September 1900.
- A copper flame is at the top. This flame represents the passion that burned in Theron and his people. It shows their search for freedom and independence.
The monument was built by L. Fokkens (Pty) Ltd. The plans were made by architect Mr. Hillebrands from Krugersdorp. Money for the monument was collected by the Voortrekkers organization.
A new Danie Theron Monument was put up near the Union Building in Pretoria, South Africa. This happened on March 6, 2002. The former South African President Nelson Mandela unveiled it. Mr. Mandela spoke Afrikaans in public, which was rare for him. He said he admired Danie Theron's fighting spirit. He also valued his honesty, bravery, and determination. Mr. Mandela said that modern South Africa needs more people like Danie Theron. This is to help meet the challenges ahead.
One of the primary schools in Carletonville was named after this Boer hero. It is called Laer Gedenkskool Danie Theron. A smaller copy of the monument (found near Fochville) was also put on the school grounds. It is near the main entrance.
A Commando Combat School was started in Kimberley, South Africa on November 1, 1967. In 1968, it was renamed the Danie Theron Combat School. South Africa's school of military intelligence is also named after Danie Theron.
The Danie Theron Medal was created by South Africa in 1970. It is given for dedicated service in the Territorial Reserve. The medal's ribbon is green with three yellow stripes.
During the Boer War, Danie Theron used the fake name Captain James Bond. Some people think this might be where Ian Fleming got the idea for his famous spy character. However, Fleming said he named James Bond after an American bird expert, James Bond. Fleming chose the name because it sounded "ordinary, but masculine."
Danie Theron's great-great-niece is Charlize Theron. She is a famous actress who has won an Academy Award.
