Leonard Beyers

Lieutenant General Leonard Beyers (22 January 1894 – 15 April 1959) was a South African soldier. Although he never saw active service in the field during the two world wars, he became Chief of the General Staff in command of the Union Defence Force in 1949. He resigned after only a short time in this position, citing the interference in military matters by Minister of Defence Frans Erasmus as the reason for his resignation.

Early life Leonard Beyers was born in Kimberley, Cape Colony on 22 January 1894 to Pieter Gerhard Beyers and his wife, Anna Maria Elizabeth Bredell. The demilitarisation of the correctional system was finally effected by the post-Apartheid government on 1 April 1996.

In 1937, Beyers returned to the Permanent Force as assistant commandant-in-chief, Burger Commandos. Later that year he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. On the outbreak of the Second World War, he relinquished his post in favour of becoming director-general of the Defence Rifle Association, a post he held for almost a year before becoming Adjutant-general. He visited South African troops in the Middle East and acted as Chief of the General Staff when General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld was in North Africa.

Beyers gave up his post as Adjutant-general in 1945 owing to ill health and was placed on the retired list four months later. His retirement was short lived, however, for in 1949 he was appointed acting Chief of the General Staff with the rank of lieutenant general.

Beyers was once again placed on the retired list in 1954.

The fact that at times he acted as Chief of the General Staff during the Second World War indicates that Van Ryneveld had immense trust in Beyers' abilities. However, Van Ryneveld was such a dominating personality that any meaningful delegation of his authority was never even discussed.

Medals During his career, Beyers was awarded the British War Medal for his services during the First World War, and the War Medal 1939-45 and Africa Service Medal for the Second World War. Probably because he never saw active service in the field during the two world wars he would not wear ribbons on his uniform.

Family life Beyers married Evelyn Alice Jess Hunter and had a son and a daughter. He died in East London, Eastern Cape Province on 15 April 1959.