Daniel Theron
Daniel Theron | |
|---|---|
Theron as commandant of the Wielrijders Rapportgangers Corps, 1899 | |
| Nickname | Danie |
| Born | 9 May 1872 |
| Died | 5 September 1900 (aged 28) |
| Allegiance | Transvaal |
| Service years | 1894 – 1900 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Wielrijders Rapportgangers Corps Theron Reconnaissance Corps |
| Conflicts | |
Captain Daniël Johannes Stephanus Theron (9 May 1872 – 5 September 1900) was a South African Boer military officer, teacher and lawyer best known for his service during the Second Boer War. Born in Tulbagh, Cape Colony, he was raised in Bethlehem, South African Republic. Originally intending on become a schoolteacher, Theron instead became a lawyer and notary with his own law firm in Krugersdorp. After the outbreak of the Second Boer War in 1899, he joined the Boer commandos where he was responsible for the formation of a bicycle infantry formation.
During the conflict, Theron was placed in command of Theron's Reconnaissance Corps (TVK), a reconnaissance unit named after him. He fought at the battles of Paardeberg and Spion Kop, where in response to his actions British commander Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts described Theron as "the hardest thorn in the flesh of the British advance" and placed a bounty of on his head. In 1900, Theron was killed in action in a skirmish against men of Marshall's Horse.