TOPIC:

I stumbled across the following "Daniel Johannes Swanepoel" and was amazed by his generosity; the following news articles from 1946/1947 details how he provided an annual Christmas Feast for the poor.

One of his last drew almost 13,000 people who travelled almost 200 miles to attend.

Another article states that he was a friend of Winston Churchill and it made me curious as to why a butcher from Johannesburg would know the former Prime Minister who sent him annual Christmas Cards.

Further research, from a blog referenced below, states that one of Churchill's guards, following his capture, was a 19-year old Daniel Swanepoel of the Krugersdorp Commando who bought him a cup of coffee at Germiston station.

Let me know what you think; or if it has been covered before.

Whatever the link the fact that he hosted an annual charitable event for the poor is admirable.

Daniel Johannes Swanepoel
15 July 1880 – 28 April 1948




















Picture and text courtesy of: churchillcapture.blogspot.com/2013/

"One of Churchill’s guards for the train trip to Pretoria was H.J. Spaarwater. “…under the obligation to serve without pay in wartime, providing horse, forage and provisions, he was a polite, meek-mannered little man and I took a great liking to him.” Spaarwater never had a chance to use his captive’s note for he was killed in action a year later. His granddaughter still has the faded scrap of paper. Another guard was 19-year old Daniel Swanepoel of the Krugersdorp Commando who bought Churchill a cup of coffee at Germiston station."

Thank you for that Sturgy - a fascinating story about a fascinating character - he was renowned for his "barmhartigheid" (generosity).

I wonder if Oom Danie ever claimed his medal and, if so, which of his five daughters inherited it.

Regards

Rory

Hi Rory,

Thanks for that; unfortunately It looks like Oom Danie never applied for his ABO medal; I was not able to find a reference to him in the medal rolls.

There are other DJ Swanepoel's but they didn't match his age (DoB).

Regards,
Sturgy

Thanks Sturgy,

What an example to all of us !

RobM