Battle of Leliefontein

Battle of Leliefontein Part of Second Boer War Date 7 November 1900 Location Lelifontein, Transvaal 25°58′0″S 30°3′0″E / 25.96667°S 30.05000°E / -25.96667; 30.05000Coordinates: 25°58′0″S 30°3′0″E / 25.96667°S 30.05000°E / -25.96667; 30.05000 Result Tactical stalemate; Strategic Boer victory Belligerents  United Kingdom  Canada Ermelo Commando & Carolina Commando, South African Republic Commanders and leaders Major-General Horace Smith-Dorrien François Lessard ? Casualties and losses Unknown, but moderate Unknown, but light

Second Boer War Kraaipan Kimberley Talana Hill Elandslaagte 1st Ladysmith 2nd Ladysmith Belmont Modder River Stormberg Magersfontein Colenso Spion Kop Vaal Krantz Paardeberg Bloody Sunday Tugela Heights 3rd Ladysmith Poplar Grove Driefontein Sanna's Post Mafeking 1st Elands River Diamond Hill Witpoort Bergendal Bothaville Leliefontein Nooitgedacht Groenkloof 2nd Elands River Blood River Poort Bakenlaagte Groenkop Tweebosch Rooiwal

The Battle of Leliefontein (also known as the Battle of Witkloof) was an engagement between British/Canadian and Boer forces during the Second Boer War on 7 November 1900, at the Komati River 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Belfast at the present day Nooitgedacht Dam.

It was during the fiercely contested British withdrawal from the banks of the Komati River that the Canadians of The Royal Canadian Dragoons, 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles and "D" Battery Canadian Field Artillery, led by Lieutenant-Colonel François Louis Lessard were tasked with covering the withdrawal of the larger British force under the command of Major-General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien. The Royal Canadian Dragoons would save two Canadian guns during the battle and halt the initial Boer advance, successfully covering the withdrawal. Three dragoons, Sergeant Edward James Gibson Holland, Lieutenant Richard Ernest William Turner and Lieutenant Hampden Zane Churchill Cockburn, would win the Victoria Cross for their actions.

See also

• Komati River

References

• Greenhous, Brerton (1983). Dragoon : the Centennial History of The Royal Canadian Dragoons, 1883-1983. Belleville, Ont. : Guild of The Royal Canadian Dragoons, 1983 ISBN 0-9691281-0-X