The Penkoppe The Penkoppe were young boys who were not yet [military] service obliged, but nevertheless joined the commandos. Uncle Ben said: “There was a time when I walked away to the commando, and came to my father’s commando. He gave me a dressing down and sent me home. I stayed home for few days and ran away again in another direction and came up to Captain Jack Hindon and Henri Slegtkamp. They soon provided me with a horse and gun, and I also met my eldest brother Gert - everything was right this time round.” Uncle Cor says: “When the war started, I was willing to join the commando, but because I was still thirteen years old, my mother would hear none of it. After the English captured Johannesburg, I ran away to the commando, and stayed with the *Bethallers until I was caught and sent to Bermuda,” as related by uncle Gert. Uncle Jannie Ras says: “I was only 12 years old when I ran away to the commando. In the beginning I had to hold the horses when there was fighting, but I stayed with the Bethal commando in the field and was never caught. On June 7, 1902 I travelled with the commando’s weapons on to Grey’s farm. Uncle Cor Taljaard during the Second Freedom War in discussion with Dr Eben Donges *See Translator’s Note (page I). 35
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