This building was built around 1875, as evidenced by the workmen’s lunch packet found cement behind a door frame and wrapped in a newspaper dated 1875. Extensions have however being added to the original building, but the coal cellar, original building and water well are still to be seen. There are very old Willow trees in the garden and the “Dorps Spruit” runs through the property. 

At one time this building was used as the Mining Commissioner’s Office.  When gold was discovered in the Witwatersrand in 1885, prospectors had to register their claims here in Heidelberg, as the area fell under the jurisdiction of Heidelberg.  General Piet Viljoen was the Mining Commissioner before the Anglo Boer war of 1900-1902.

During the war Major JM Vallentin used this building as his headquarters.
Major John Maximilian Vallentin  fell into the mould of the typical British officer of his time.  Son of Sir. J. Vallentin, he entered the Somerset Light Infantry in 1885, serving with gallantry in the Burmese Campaign of 1886-7.  In 1886 he married Miss Helen Carnegie and graduated from the Staff College in 1897.
Vallentin served as Brigade Major to Lieutenant General Sir Ian Hamilton. At the battle of Elandslaagte, Major Vallentin behaved with conspicuous gallantry in rallying the flank attack, during the most critical phase of the assault. He served throughout the siege of Ladysmith, where he contracted a serious bout of enteric fever. While recuperating he was appointed by Ian Hamilton as District Commissioner of Heidelberg.

Unsuited to this quiet lifestyle, however, he resigned and joined the SA Constabulary in October 1900.
In early 1901 he was ordered to raise a corps of volunteers to operate as law-enforcement and counter-insurgency agents in the Heidelberg District.  The unit became known as Vallentin’s Heidelberg Volunteers or the Nigel Mine Guards.  Never exceeding more than 200 men, they were nicknamed the “Witkoppen” by the Boers, after the white hat bands that they wore.  Many of these volunteers were “joiners” – Boers who had accepted the British terms of surrender and now worked for them.  Needless to say these men were hated by the Boers still on commando, and were shown no sympathy if captured.

On one occasion (1st September) Vallentin was captured by a Boer Commando. He had approached a commando believing it to be de Wet, but found Theron instead. In his dairy he states, “ Went out 3pm, came on Boer outpost, 6pm, found not de Wet but Theron at home: had long talk with him; he was rude and held me prisoner”. He was detained until Saturday, 8th September and released as the Boers had no facilities to hold prisoners. 

On another occasion he was deputed to deliver Lord Robert’s proclamation to the Boers in the Heidelberg area. He delivered the message and spent a week with the Boer Commando, as the “guest”, while the proclamation was debated. This experience must have given him deep insight into the Boer character and military establishment.   

Vallentin left Heidelberg in December 1901 to command a mixed force of men in General Plummer’s column near Ermelo.  He met his death on the 4th of May 1902, at Onverwacht, 32 km east of Ermelo. While pursuing about fifty Boers, with about 110 British soldiers, they were surprised by 300 Boers, under the command of General Koos Opperman. The General also died in the skirmish. General Koos Opperman was regarded as one of the bravest and best commanders of General Loius Botha’s army. The battle was won by the Boers. 
Vallentin's mother visited Heidelberg after the war and whilst here stayed with Arnold and Cobie Allison.
A brass plate and stained glass window were erected to his memory in St Ninian’s Anglican Church, with funds raised by the officers and men of Vallentin’s Heidelberg Volunteers.

This building was also used as the first practice and home of Dr Jan Prinsloo, a well known Veterinarian Physician, who retired some years ago. The premises are now the home of Mr Stoffel Du Plooy, who owns and runs Heidelberg Printers.
The picture, “Vallentins’ Heidelberg Volunteers”, was taken in front of the “Old Gaol” on the top end of Ueckermann Street. 

Sources: britishempire.co.uk, angloboerwar.com, Australian Boer War Memorial, Herbert Prins and Heidelberger’s of the Boer War by Ian Uys.

​Source: Heidelberg Heritage Association - Article Post (Click to visit website)