Siege of Kimberley

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Siege of Kimberley

Soup ration ticket from the Siege of Kimberley

Date	14 October 1899 - 15 February 1900
Location	Kimberley, South Africa
Result	British Victory

Belligerents

Great Britain

Boers

Commanders

Lt. Col. Robert Kekewich
Cecil John Rhodes

Piet Cronje

Strength

1,600

6,500

Casualties and losses

Unknown

v • d • e Second Boer War

Talana Hill – Elandslaagte – Belmont – Modder River – Stormberg – Magersfontein – Colenso – Spion Kop – Kimberley – Bloody Sunday – Paardeberg – Ladysmith – Sanna's Post – Mafeking – Rooiwal

The Siege of Kimberley took place during the Second Boer War at Kimberley. For 124 days the Boers besieged the city which was the centre of the De Beers Mining Company. Women and children were sent down into the mines in order to protect themselves from the bombardment.

Cecil John Rhodes, founder of De Beers, was in the city during the siege. Since many of the resources and manpower in the garrison were owned by De Beers, Rhodes became an important factor in the defense. However, as head of the mining company that owned most of the assets in the town, he proved to be more of a hindrance as he did not cooperate fully with the military.

The siege was finally lifted on 15th February 1900, following British victory at the Battle of Paardeberg.