[2] Doornkop is a ridge on the western boundary of Johannesburg, and much of the area covered by the British advance is now the suburban expanses of Roodepoort and Soweto.

[3] On 28 May, having just crossed the Klip River, French's column met unexpected resistance from a heavy bombardment from the Boers.

Boer General, Ben Viljoen writes in his memoirs that "the British now marched on Doornkop, their real object of attack being our extreme right wing.

The Boers held their fire until the attack was within 800 yards, and then, louder than the cannonade, the ominous rattle of concentrated rifle-fire burst forth."

"[3] Two Canadian units remained temporarily behind to draw Boer fire and deflect the enemy's attention from the flanking manoeuvre taking place south of the river.

As part of the general attack, the Canadian infantry moved forward over a low ridge and up a long slope, under fire the whole way.

The Boers had set fire to the brush and for part of the distance the troops had to run through flames, while the smoke made navigation and control difficult.

By clever use of the ground, aided by the aggressive support of the battalion machine gun section, the Canadians captured their objective with losses of only seven men wounded.

One Victoria Cross was awarded for the battle – to Corporal F. Mackay, for conspicuous bravery in dressing the wounds of comrades and carrying one man some distance under heavy fire.