Jacobus Herculaas de la Rey (1847 - 1914)

Born 22 Oct 1847 in Doornfontein Farm, Winburg, Free state, South Africa

Ancestors

Husband of Jacoba Elizabeth (Greeff) de la Rey — married 24 Oct 1876 (to 15 Sep 1914) in Hoopstad, South Africa

Descendants

Died 15 Sep 1914 at age 66 in Langlaagte

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Biography

Jacobus Herculaas was born on 22 Oct 1847^[1].

He was the son of ..

He passed away in 1914.^[2]

He is generally regarded as the bravest of the Boer generals during the Second Boer War and as one of the leading figures of Boer independence. ^[3]

Names

Nickname - Koos or Lion of the West

Birth

Event date: 22 October 1847 ^[3]

Event place: Doornfontein Farm, Winburg District, Orange Free State

Father: Adrianus Johannes Gijsbertus de la Rey

Mother: Adriana Wilhelmina van Rooyen

Occupation

General de la Rey fought in the following wars

Basotho War of 1865

Sekhukhune's War of 1876

First Boer War

Second Boer War

Residence

1847 - Doornfontein, Winburg District

Cicra 1847- 1876 - Wolmaranstad, North West -

1876 - Farm Manana (his father-in-laws farm)

Elandsfontein (his own farm)

Marriage

Event date: 24 October 1876

Event place: Zeerust South Africa

Groom: Jacobus Herculaas de la Rey

Bride: Jacoba Elizabeth Greeff

Death

In Langlaagte later the same evening, Boer War hero General Jacobus Hercules (Koos) De la Rey was on his way to Potchefstroom accompanied by General Christiaan Beyers, who that morning had resigned as Chief of the SA Defence Force. Some historians state that their purpose was to start a rebellion against the South African Government using the troops that were massed there. They were taking a circuitous route through Johannesburg and when they saw the road barriers, instructed the chauffeur to accelerate and crash through the barriers. They were unaware that the police were hunting the Foster Gang and thought that the Government forces were aware of their treasonous intentions! A policeman fired after the speeding car and the badly-aimed bullet ricocheted off the road, angled upwards, penetrated the vehicle and lodged in De la Rey’s heart, killing him almost Immediately^[4]

Event date: 15 September 1914 ^[3][5]

Event place: Langlaagte (cnr of Deville Street & Du Toit Street,) - This place is situated in Vereeniging, Guateng, South Africa,^[6][4][7][5]

Cause of death: Shooting accident^[4][5]

Burial

Event place: Lichtenburg, North West, South Africa^{[4] [3][8]}

Things of interest

Honoured Hero - There is a monument of General De la Rey on his horse in the De la Rey Square in front of Lichtenburg City Hall. Great interest in the courage of De la Rey has been rekindled by the De la Rey song, by Bok van Blerk. General Koos De la Rey will always be highly respected as one of the bravest of the brave, the Lion of the West Transvaal.^[9][10]

Music

Song name: De la Rey^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ Source: Ferreira Families Janet Melville & Emmarentia S Ferreira; Des 2015. ISBN 0-86988-727-0. p321. Bygevoeg deur André Ferreira 19 Nov 2020
2. ↑ Added on Aug 24, 2015 by Susanna de Bruyn
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV2B-9Q97 : accessed 24 August 2015), Gen Jacobus Herculaas De La Rey, 1914; Burial, Mafeking, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, North-West, South Africa, Lichtenburg Municipal Cemetery; citing record ID 86609645, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.Seen and entered Aug 24, 2015 by Susanna de Bruyn
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Boksburg and East Rand Histoical Association, [1], Koos de la Rey, Source: Murder most foul in Boksburg North {and Johannesburg & Germiston} [2] Seen and entered Aug 24, 2015 by Susanna de Bruyn
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances leading up to and attending upon the deaths of Senator General the Honourable J.H. de la Rey and Dr. G. Grace : report of the commissioner, the Hon. Mr. Justice Gregorowski by South Africa, Published 1914.page 4. Seen and entered Aug 24, 2015 by Susanna de Bruyn
6. ↑ Langlaagte [3]. Seen and entered Aug 24, 2015 by Susanna de Bruyn
7. ↑ Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Source: [Koos de la Rey [4]Seen and entered Aug 24, 2015 by Susanna de Bruyn
8. ↑ eGGSA library Gravestones in South Africa Noordwes : North West North West, LICHTENBURG, Urban area North West, LICHTENBURG, Main cemetery R - Surnames starting with the letter R Re - Surnames starting with the letters Re REY de la REY Jakobus Herculaas, de la 1847-1914. [5] Seen and entered Aug 25, 2015 by Susanna de Bruyn
9. ↑ Reformation SA org, Heroes of the Anglo Boer War - General De La Rey - The Lion of the Transvaal [6] Seen and entered Aug 25, 2015 by Susanna de Bruyn
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} You tube music, De la Rey by artist Bok van Blerk lyrics with english subtitles [7] Seen and entered Aug 25, 2015 by Susanna de Bruyn

See also:

• 'Martin-Leake, Double VC' by Ann Clayton