Wednesday, 15 August 2007

In the footsteps of our forefathers

B and I spent the long weekend on a drive around the Northern Cape, visiting the sites of the Anglo-Boer war. Our families played a large part in the second war for independence, especially in this area, and the names of our families are displayed on almost every memorial.
It was a moving experience, especially the memorial and museum to the women and children who died in the concentration camps.
Women's memorial in Bloemfontein

Memorial to the Scandinavians who fought at the side of the Boers


The view over the Magersfontein Battlefield


Magersfontein Boer memorial




2 comments:

Catherine Rossetti said...

My great-grandfather also fought in the War, under General Steyn. They lost 4 children in the concentration camps..

This Monument always chokes me up... It's something we've filed away, forgotten.. like it's ancient history. But it's not, is it?

Warrior Dog said...

2 members fought at Magersfontein, and many more further south.

B found her Great-grandfather's memorial at Modder Rivier. It was very sad.

We should never forget the concentration camps. A bit more than a hundred years ago, but only a few generations apart.