Monument (at left) commemorating Martin-Leake, farm Syferfontein, South Africa
Afrikaans: Monumente vir twee militêre tydgenote op Syferfontein, die eertydse plaas van Kommandant (later Vecht Generaal) Gert Marthinus Claassen (1872-1951) naby Val in westelike Mpumalanga. Die monumente vereer twee uitstaande indiwidue van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog: a) Surgeon Captain Arthur Martin-Leake (1874-1953), een van min wat twee Victoriakruise kon verwerf, sy eerste by die Slag van Van Tondershoek, en die tweede tydens die Eerste Wêreldoorlog, b) Kommandant Claassen van die Standerton-kommando, wat 'n Croix de Guerre tydens die Eerste Wêreldoorlog verwerf het. English: Monuments to two contemporary military men, erected at Syferfontein, the former farm of Commandant G. M. Claassen (1872-1951), located near Val in western Mpumalanga, South Africa. These commemorate two outstanding individuals of the Second Boer War, namely: a) Captain Surgeon Martin-Leake (1874-1953), one of only a few soldiers to receive two VC's during his lifetime, his first at the Battle of Van Tondershoek, and the second during WWl, b) Commandant Claassen of the Standerton commando, who earned a Croix de Guerre during WWl. Surgeon Captain Arthur Martin-Leake VC & Bar (1874-1953)In the early morning of 8th February 1902 a patrol, consisting of about 150 policemen of "C" Division of the South African Constabulary, set out from here on Syferfontein to establish the whereabouts of a Boer Force under the command of Commandant Piet Viljoen. They came upon Viljoen's men hidden in a deep hollow on the farm Van Tondershoek. The S.A.C. men opened fire but finding themselves outnumbered, were forced to make a fighting retirement back to their base at Syferfontein. Two rearguard actions took place on Van Tondershoek and Vlakfontein. Surgeon Captain Arthur Martin-Leake was present with a force of eight men commanded by Lieutenant Abraham Abraham, and his men fought until all had been either killed or wounded. Martin-Leake tended the wounded under heavy fire and was himself wounded by three bullets, while attempting to make Lieutenant Abraham, who had suffered a mortal wound, more comfortable. The Boers expressed their regret at having shot the doctor. When relief arrived after some hours Martin-Leake refused water until all the others had been attended to. For this action he was subsequently awarded Britain's highest award for valour, the Victoria Cross.While serving as a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps at Zonnebeke, Belgium, in 1914 during the First World War, Martin-Leake was awarded a second Victoria Cross for rescuing, while exposed to constant fire, a large number of wounded who were lying close to enemy trenches. He was the first man to be honoured with two VC's and only two others have been similarly decorated since.Vecht Generaal Gert Marthinus Claassen (10/09/1872-17/06/1951)EENDRACHT MAAKT MACHTOnverskrokke Krygsman, Boer, Onkreukbaar opreg, Weldoener aan Minderbevoorregtes1894: Oorlog teen Malaboch1898: Oorlog teen Mpefu1899-1902: Anglo Boere Oorlog. Hy was Kommandant, later Vecht Generaal, en is met die Medalje voor Trouwe Dienst vereer.1914-1918: Luitenant-kolonel van die Standerton "A" kommando in die Eerste Wêreldoorlog. Hy is deur Frankryk met die Croix de Guerre vereer.1915-1924: Lid van Volksraad, Standerton1930: Lid van die Provinsiale Raad, Standerton Distrik1939-1948: Senator in die VolksraadHierdie opstal was die woning van Gert Marthinus Claassen en sy familie. Gert Claassen en sy vader is hier op Syferfontein in die familie-kerkhof begrawe.