Biographical history compiled with reference to the Dictionary of South African Biography, Volume IV.

Johan William Colenbrander was born in Pinetown, Natal on 1 November 1856 to a Dutch family who had settled there in 1849. He led a varied and renowned life, participating in key events of the time such as the Zulu War, the visit of Lobengula's indunas to Queen Victoria, Rhodes' expansion into Mashonaland, the Ndebele Rebellion and the Anglo-Boer War. During the latter he raised and commanded a unit named 'Kitchener's Fighting Scouts'.

Various business ventures were started by Colenbrander in the periods between his military expeditions, including a big game hunting expedition targetted at Americans, but none of these proved successful. He tried hard to gain permission to raise a force during the First World War, but was denied the opportunity. In 1917 he obtained employment with I.W. Schlesinger's film company, helping to organise labour for the filming of 'The Symbol of Sacrifice'. He also played the part of Lord Chelmsford and was drowned as he tried to cross the Klip River on horseback on 10 February 1918.

Colenbrander was married three times: to Mollie Mullens in 1883 (she died in 1900), to Yvonne Nunn in 1902 (died 1904) with whom he had a daughter, Geraldine, and lastly to Catherine (Kathleen) Gloster in 1911, with whom he had a son, called Johan.

For a more detailed biography, please see the Dictionary of South African Biography, Volume IV.