Benson was seriously wounded and died the next morning. In submission to the Bethal Commando that had previously harassed him, he called on his death, that his arms should be handed to Commandant Grobler. 77 British were slain compared to 52 Boers, of which 16 were of the Bethal Commando. Benson’s grave Uncle Klasie Grobler was a 17 years old lad who fought in the Battle of Bakenlaagte. During the battle he was hit by shrapnel and he narrowly escaped death. Food, clothing and ammunition were very The last bitter seven months After the battle of Bakenlaagte, new blockhouses were erected between Standerton and Ermelo. To make the holding pen even smaller, the same was done between Brugspruit and Greylingstad. With more than 20 000 men renewed drive hunts were launched. The number of traitors serving the British army took such a rate that Bethal and surrounding parts became extremely unsafe. rare and could only be obtained by plundering British. Uncle Albert van Rensburg tells that they went during the nights to steal in the English camp. The *Bethallers number was decimated by many who were caught. In December 1901 Rev. Liebenberg and many civilians were caught. In April, 74 were caught at Slagkraal. *see Translator’s Note (page I). 32
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