tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109119550658234542024-03-14T18:36:35.627+02:00Bygones and BywaysBygones and Byways focuses on South African family history, genealogy, heritage and history.
Copyright: Anne Lehmkuhl <a href="mailto:ZAFamilyHistory@gmail.com">EMAIL ME</a>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comBlogger234125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-63682382279914653162023-08-28T00:09:00.008+02:002023-09-02T19:40:08.286+02:00DID YOU KNOW?<p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwj7QyIYLNZdZUdkDQI_iJR87AcwBUhLXVyK_IGkLJeJuPkhWMVswWbvLIwc38v1GLlim5_vEpTHgVx1SKbFgkcidiCUFgm5S-ExTlGJUZ4TYWioGSsjL-VxZJA3mDmREms7TLMeZbs91uCBb-zpwFI_IWH5ZoWKCVSfrQoUmILwNgQzSiX0k5uR9C-QM/s551/milo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="429" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwj7QyIYLNZdZUdkDQI_iJR87AcwBUhLXVyK_IGkLJeJuPkhWMVswWbvLIwc38v1GLlim5_vEpTHgVx1SKbFgkcidiCUFgm5S-ExTlGJUZ4TYWioGSsjL-VxZJA3mDmREms7TLMeZbs91uCBb-zpwFI_IWH5ZoWKCVSfrQoUmILwNgQzSiX0k5uR9C-QM/w249-h320/milo.jpg" width="249" /></a></div></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Milo, an iconic Australian brand, was first developed in 1930 by a young trainee chemical engineer, Thomas MAYNE of Smithtown, New South Wales. Nestlé wanted to develop a tonic drink that would address malnutrition in children during the great Depression. The drink was made from malted barley, dried milk and cocoa.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thomas spent four years developing what we now know as Milo. He wanted to create a mix with vitamins and minerals that would dissolve when stirred, not just fall to the bottom of the glass. One day, he walked into his kitchen to discover his daughter and son scooping the crunchy bits of Milo powder off the top of their drinks. It was then that he realised that the crunch was not a problem, but a feature - and so Milo as we know it today was born. It was named after Milo of Croton, a Greek wrestler who lived in the 6th century BC and possessed legendary strength. Milo Tonic Food was introduced to the public at the 1934 Sydney Royal Easter Show in the iconic Milo tin. Today it's the world's leading chocolate malt beverage that can be prepared with hot or cold milk or water. Nestlé’s Chembong Factory in Malaysia is the world's largest Milo manufacturing site.</span></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpu9yoOPGfPR3l9_TyLNnRZ-Il72mvCD-F3D2Xjaif4DcUEyHrBaIiOXsqrLtW-dtBHrhOpdSxfn6LlKfokuf7RR434nBorxiZ5BHMvJT4znqjgmF3_NGatAf0rhD3G2NfyMwS6zNsZWaIBuPiBoCQlgSvL9IgVmGkyDmis8RbkV_isrle7rYcDJIfqk/s1024/catemba.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpu9yoOPGfPR3l9_TyLNnRZ-Il72mvCD-F3D2Xjaif4DcUEyHrBaIiOXsqrLtW-dtBHrhOpdSxfn6LlKfokuf7RR434nBorxiZ5BHMvJT4znqjgmF3_NGatAf0rhD3G2NfyMwS6zNsZWaIBuPiBoCQlgSvL9IgVmGkyDmis8RbkV_isrle7rYcDJIfqk/w400-h225/catemba.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Spanish call it calimocho or kalimotxo. In Germany they call it kora or korea, In Chile, it’s jote and in Croatia it's known as bambus. In Argentina it's known as "Jesus juice". If you're familiar with Africa or Portugal, you know it as catemba. A 50-50 mixture of red wine and Coca-Cola, it is said to have originated at a festival in Algorta, Spain, in 1972 when traders discovered the wine they planned to sell was terrible so they added Coca-Cola and ice to disguise the flavour. But for many years before that, the drink was already well-known in South Africa, Mozambique, and Angola - thanks to the Portuguese communities living there. According to family stories, catemba was invented by the owner of a restaurant on the island of Catembe when it was still a small fishing community. It was common to mix red wine with Sprite, but one day the owner used Coca-Cola instead.</span></p></div>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-61526096193003981132023-08-28T00:04:00.002+02:002023-08-28T01:13:39.264+02:00SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST VETERINARIAN<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>The first qualified, non-military veterinarians started arriving in South Africa in the middle 1800s. In 1886, Dr Jotello Festiri SOGA became the first South African-born person to receive a degree in veterinary medicine (MRCVS). The second formally-trained South African veterinarian was </span><span><span>Dr Philip Rudolph VILJOEN (1889 - 1964)</span></span><span> who qualified in 1912.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N74yLABsHm6kmOTmATjOvFpCBaO0rQ0ToNtoVYaBF6-14V-P1D5SyOI4iwAnc66lYcwCd6dJpHPFSFmEfKwO-JKM2_CZgcP6zujsXjYNMffdknn-69cgIkB7BcmBlPV1tl2foxB-LKrvH_d5CgPse4hATVWs0_ClWv4_H7d9STqElyQYFkxDV1ejI80/s457/Soga.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="355" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N74yLABsHm6kmOTmATjOvFpCBaO0rQ0ToNtoVYaBF6-14V-P1D5SyOI4iwAnc66lYcwCd6dJpHPFSFmEfKwO-JKM2_CZgcP6zujsXjYNMffdknn-69cgIkB7BcmBlPV1tl2foxB-LKrvH_d5CgPse4hATVWs0_ClWv4_H7d9STqElyQYFkxDV1ejI80/w311-h400/Soga.png" width="311" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">Jotello SOGA and his wife Catherine</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jotello was born at the Mgwali Mission in the then Transkei in 1865, the youngest son of Reverend Tiyo SOGA (Xhosa) and his Scottish wife Janet BURNSIDE (Scottish). Reverend SOGA was South Africa’s first black ordained Presbyterian clergyman. After his father’s death in 1871, the family moved to Scotland where Jotello and his six siblings completed their education under the protection of the United Presbyterian Church (Church of Scotland). He completed his matric at the Dollar Academy. He entered the Royal School of Veterinary Studies (later part of the University of Edinburgh) in 1881 and qualified as a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) in April 1886 and earned a gold medal for botany studies. His brothers graduated from the University of Glasgow - William Anderson SOGA (1857 - 1916, medical doctor), John Henderson SOGA (1860 - 1941, missionary and Xhosa historian), and Allan Kirkland SOGA (1862 - 1938, journalist and politician).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From 1886 – 1889 Dr SOGA worked as a veterinarian in private practice in Tutuka, Cape Colony. On 01 November 1889 he was appointed as Dr Duncan HUTCHEON's (Colonial Veterinary Surgeon Cape Colony) second assistant (Dr John D BORTHWICK was the first) and served as a District Veterinarian in many places in the Cape Colony. He was much esteemed by Dr HUTCHEON, and was appointed at the same rate of pay as Dr BORTHWICK. He was first stationed at Fort Beaufort.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>From 1889 to 1894 he was employed by the Cape Colony as Junior Veterinarian. He was involved with the vaccination campaign against contagious lung-sickness. While working as veterinarian for the Cape Colony he studied toxic plants and their effect on animals – both for their poisonous and curative effects. He also lectured on diseases of stock and their treatment in Somerset East. After working with the bacteriologist, Dr Alexander EDINGTON, at the Colonial Bacteriological Institute in Grahamstown, Dr SOGA was appointed as District Veterinarian and was transferred to King William’s Town in 1894, where he worked on foot-and-mouth disease, red water, and biliary fever. He did his own inoculation experiments for Contagious Bovine Pleuro-Pneumonia (lung-sickness), after which his vaccination method became standard use.</span><span> </span><span>He assisted Professor Andrew SMITH with investigations into the medicinal properties of South African plants. During this time he was appointed as Assistant Veterinary Surgeon in the Veterinary Department of the Cape Colony and Bechuanaland (now Botswana).</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1892, three years after rinderpest broke out in East Africa, Dr SOGA published two articles in the Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope, in which he warned of the devastation that the virus would bring. He predicted the rapid spread of the disease towards South Africa and warned that if proper measures were not taken, "I make bold enough to say, that more than two-thirds of Colonial cattle will succumb to its ravages".</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In March 1896 rinderpest entered the Northern Cape and Dr SOGA was sent to Mafikeng to help deal with infected animals. Dr SOGA was part of a small team of animal health professionals that eradicated rinderpest, a contagious and fatal disease that almost destroyed South Africa’s herds in the late 19th century. By 1903 the team succeeded in eradicating rinderpest. More than a million cattle died, either from the disease itself or deliberate slaughter to control the disease.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He continued to conduct important research on animal health and frequently contributed articles on veterinary medicine to professional journals - his first article was published in January 1891 in the Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope. He was a much sought-after speaker at conferences and was a co-founder of the Cape Colony Veterinary Society in 1905 which later became the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA). He often served as a judge at horse shows at the East London Agricultural Show.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Dealing with the rinderpest epidemic was exhausting and depressing work. As a result, Dr SOGA's health suffered and he eventually retired from the Cape Civil Service in 1899, with a government pension. He was commended by the British High Commissioner, Lord MILNER, </span><span>for his services in combating rinderpest. In 1900 he went into private practice in the Border area. In 1902 he was employed by Carl H MALCOLMESS to supervise his cattle on the farm Itala in the Stutterheim district. He later moved to the farm of Anthony Peter FITCHETT, a farrier, at Amalinda close to East London where he continued with his own small veterinary practice.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dr Jotello SOGA died at Fitchett's farm on 06 December 1906 from an overdose of laudanum and was buried in Amalinda. He was married to a Scotswoman, Catherine Watson CHALMERS, on 09 July 1892, and they had three daughters: Catherine, Margaret and Doris. After his death, his widow and daughters returned to Scotland.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 2009, the University of Pretoria named the library of its Faculty of Veterinary Science in Dr SOGA’s honour. The ceremony was attended by Carole GALLAGHER, a great-granddaughter of Dr SOGA, Camagu Malcom SOGA (from King Williams Town) and Thembi SOGA. The Onderstpoort Veterinary Institute created the Jotello SOGA Ethno-Veterinary Garden. The South African Veterinary Association awards the SOGA Medal annually in recognition of exceptional community service rendered by a veterinarian or a veterinary student.</span></p>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-70591999994026933812023-08-27T23:48:00.002+02:002023-08-28T01:14:20.575+02:00THE MOSSAD AGENT FROM GRAAFF-REINET<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">S<span>ylvia Lee RAPHAEL was born on 01 Apr 1937 in Graaff-Reinet to Miriam Helena SMIT (born 1907 in the Orange Free State and a Christian), and Ferdinand RAPHAEL (born in 1886 in the Cape and a Jewish atheist). She was baptised and raised in her mother's Dutch Reformed religion.</span><span> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oH8nhy0IO-tSPPD-xkBoAcYqneixp9Egy4ORY3J6mWynP4zqNRgxnF_g1m8FSdPBh1bC29S0Lefas0T-i7NbajWtr3l7xnk7LrOm2onEE7Mhu0FdrE7bxWMsqTeboZqyslxanCAtB0fOzJGxkaZaBcHAOpybMDxzZY2tUZJ1i68JP-4ca_iblS3edoE/s798/SlyviaRaphael.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="527" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oH8nhy0IO-tSPPD-xkBoAcYqneixp9Egy4ORY3J6mWynP4zqNRgxnF_g1m8FSdPBh1bC29S0Lefas0T-i7NbajWtr3l7xnk7LrOm2onEE7Mhu0FdrE7bxWMsqTeboZqyslxanCAtB0fOzJGxkaZaBcHAOpybMDxzZY2tUZJ1i68JP-4ca_iblS3edoE/w264-h400/SlyviaRaphael.jpg" width="264" /></span></a></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When her parents were married in June 1935, her father was an insurance agent and her mother a typist. It was Ferdinand's second marriage, having married the divorced Alice Louise WATTS in Johannesburg in 1917 (they divorced in 1935). Ferdinand and Alice lived at 58 Gracht St, Boksburg, at the time of their marriage. Alice had married her first husband in 1897 and divorced him in 1908. She died in Johannesburg in 1942.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ferdinand later owned the local cinema in Graaff-Reinet. He died at St Joseph's Hospital in Port Elizabeth in 1958. Miriam died in Worcester in 1993.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sylvia's grandfather, Solomon RAPHAEL, was born in Odessa circa 1861 and died in Graaff-Reinet in 1933. He was a produce buyer. He married Emilia DAVIS. She died in Graaff-Reinet in 1920.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As a young girl, Sylvia saw some boys pushing a Jewish girl in a wheelbarrow in Graaff-Reinet and chanting, "We're going to take you to Hitler." She was so distressed that her parents sent her away to a girls’ boarding school. After studying at Rhodes University and breaking off her engagement to a South African when his drinking became a problem, she moved to Israel in 1959, working on Kibbutz Gan Shmuel, near Hadera, and later in Tel Aviv as an English teacher.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-family: verdana; language: en-ZA; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-ZA; mso-armenian-font-family: Verdana; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-currency-font-family: Verdana; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Verdana; mso-default-font-family: Verdana; mso-greek-font-family: Verdana; mso-hebrew-font-family: Verdana; mso-latin-font-family: Verdana; mso-latinext-font-family: Verdana; mso-ligatures: none;">In 1962, she received a phone call from a man who introduced himself as Gadi. He said he was a representative of an Israeli government agency looking for new female recruits. When she asked what kind of work, he asked her to meet him at the Café Hadley in Tel Aviv the next day and he'd explain. Gadi was Moti KFIR, the commander of Mossad’s School for Special Operations. Sylvia was intelligent, beautiful, and spoke English, Afrikaans, French, German, Hebrew, Spanish and Arabic. A Mossad agent's girlfriend was Sylvia's flatmate at the time and he recommended her to Mossad recruiters. Sylvia joined up and after completing her training she qualified to operate in foreign countries. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She was given a new identity, Patricia ROXBOROUGH, a Canadian photojournalist, and was sent to Vancouver, Canada for six months to create her cover story as a freelance photographer. Next she was sent to Paris, the centre of Mossad's operations in Europe. Her first job there was for an international photographic agency. Sylvia was so good at her job that she held a photography exhibition in Paris. She was a gifted artist, drawing and painting, so photography was natural for her.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Sylvia was one of the first Mossad agents to penetrate Yasser ARAFAT's bases in Jordan and Lebanon in the 1960s. She later survived at least three assassination attempts by the PLO. She was known to have operated in Cairo, Mogadishu, Asmara, Djibouti, Beirut, Amman, and Damascus. She is said to have replaced Eli COHEN in Damascus, after he was publicly hanged in 1965 after the discovery of his high-level infiltration of the Syrian regime. As a close friend of the Jordanian royal family, she is said to have babysat the future King Abdullah II.</span><span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-family: verdana; language: en-ZA; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-ZA; mso-armenian-font-family: Verdana; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-currency-font-family: Verdana; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Verdana; mso-default-font-family: Verdana; mso-greek-font-family: Verdana; mso-hebrew-font-family: Verdana; mso-latin-font-family: Verdana; mso-latinext-font-family: Verdana; mso-ligatures: none;">In the summer of 1972, the PLO’s Black September carried out the Munich Massacre, in which 11 Israeli athletes participating in the Olympic Games were murdered. When the Israeli government decided to track down the Black September operatives, Sylvia provided intelligence that led to the killing of three. She was then assigned to a covert operation to assassinate others involved in the massacre. In July 1973, Sylvia was part of the team that mistakenly assassinated Morocco-born waiter/pool attendant Ahmed BOUCHIKI in Lillehammer, Norway. He was the brother of Gypsy Kings musician Chico BOUCHIKHI. The team had mistaken him for the mastermind of the massacre. Sylvia had studied the mastermind closely and realised the team had the wrong man but her calls to abort the mission were not heeded. She was arrested shortly afterwards and was convicted in early 1974 of planned murder, espionage, and the use of forged documents. She was sentenced to 5½ years in prison, but was released after serving 18 months and deported from Norway. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While in prison, she was adopted by the Ramat Hakovesh kibbutz in Israel, where her brother had worked. She married her Norwegian attorney, Annæus SCHJØDT, and retired from Mossad. She was deported again after re-entering Norway in 1977. Two years later she obtained a residence permit, but left Norway with her husband in 1992, settling in Pretoria, South Africa. The couple did not have children. Sylvia died in Pretoria on 09 February 2005, having battled cancer. She was cremated in South Africa and her ashes interred in the military section of the cemetery at Ramat Hakovesh.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;">In Steven SPIELBERG’s 2005 film </span><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 119%;">Munich</span><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;">, Sylvia's character is played by Daniel CRAIG who later became James Bond 007. He played Steve, the South African driver in the Mossad team. After being sentenced in Norway, Sylvia (known for her sense of humour) joked that she went from 007 to 005½. A documentary, </span><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 119%;">Sylvia: Tracing Blood</span><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;">, tells her story through the people who knew her, including her brother David (aka Bunty) and her husband who died shortly after filming finished in 2014. It was directed by a South African, Saxon LOGAN.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;">While living in Pretoria, Sylvia re-connected with her nephew, Derek WATTS, the </span><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 119%;">Carte Blanche</span><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;"> journalist. His father was Basil Havelock WATTS, born in Johannesburg in March 1912 to Alice Louise WATTS and Ferdinand RAPHAEL. Basil died in Bulawayo in 1982. He married Edna Lily TRIGGS in Johannesburg in 1940. They had three children - Derek, Roy and Gaynor. Basil started his working life as a boilermaker on ships, and later worked his way up to Managing Director of an engineering company in Bulawayo.</span></span></p>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-39041169055021740742023-08-27T23:39:00.005+02:002023-08-28T01:15:59.161+02:00TRACING GENES TO SAVE LIVES<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After a scientific search of more than 30 years, researchers in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with international partners, pinpointed the gene that causes the inherited heart disease known as progressive familial heart block type I, in a group of South African families whose ancestor can be traced to one immigrant who landed at the Cape in 1722.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The disease was first described by Professor Andries BRINK, a cardiac specialist and former Dean of the Faculty, in 1977. In 1986, his son, Professor Paul BRINK, in collaboration with Professor Valerie CORFIELD, embarked on the search for the genetic mutation that triggers the condition and causes a disruption of the electrical impulses that control heart contractions. They traced this to a small area on chromosome 19 which contained about 80 genes. This search came to an end when Brink and Corfield, in collaboration with German scientists managed to pinpoint the exact gene amongst this group.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-family: verdana; language: en-ZA; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-ZA; mso-armenian-font-family: Verdana; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-currency-font-family: Verdana; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Verdana; mso-default-font-family: Verdana; mso-greek-font-family: Verdana; mso-hebrew-font-family: Verdana; mso-latin-font-family: Verdana; mso-latinext-font-family: Verdana; mso-ligatures: none;">The study of progressive familial heart block started at Stellenbosch University in the 1970s when Professor Andries Brink, then practicing as a cardiac specialist at the Tygerberg Hospital, treated a baby who was born with a very slow heart rate. The child's condition was so serious that she had to be fitted with a pacemaker, becoming the first baby in South Africa to be treated with a pacemaker. At the time, pacemakers were at an early stage of development and were almost the size of a brick. While Brink was treating the baby, he became aware of another child who also needed a pacemaker. This child was a close relative of the baby under his care. He then examined the mother and found evidence of a similar underlying disease, but not as advanced as that of the baby. This lead Brink to believe that he was dealing with a family problem and he asked Dr Marie TORRINGTON to trace other families. She found most of them living in the Eastern Cape and that the carrier of the defective gene arrived at the Cape from Portugal. He married a woman of Dutch descent in Stellenbosch in 1735. Today, all South Africans affected by progressive familial heart block I are descendants of this couple.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Roughly 50% of children born to an affected person will be carriers. Of these about two thirds will need a pacemaker at some stage, according to Corfield. A very small percentage of them will show no evidence of the disease on an electrocardiogram, even though they carry the gene, while others will display an underlying electrical glitch. The disease can occur any time from birth until old age and in some cases it has been identified in utero. Today it can be managed with the timely implantation of a pacemaker, but before the advent of this device it often claimed the lives of patients affected by the condition.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="252" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9rZotbCtrrqxHeLgSTIRHSCwe-H99rQCN91c2RiG9t2EPXnns7QUd7u36hcKDCvhk_kqNHCjeVLwQA37U_oF9aBvlPHeKnQXUHCr5Hay3wSVohalKJYSOU7US4QkzxTMcM4Ewcy_ppHQRVj4mfdvUfot3tqm2g6PeOBd0Rut7SCVNMU7aEcYA2BHi70/w216-h400/Ferreira.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="216" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ignácio FERREIRA statue<br />in Humansdorp</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;">Ignácio FERREIRA was born in 1695 in Lisbon, Portugal to Manuel FERREIRA and Antónia Francisca (from Alcântara, a suburb of Lisbon). He was baptised on 01 Nov 1695 in the Catholic church "Nossa Senhora da Ajuda". On 16-17 June 1722 a powerful north-westerly wind hit the Cape. On the morning of the 17th, ten ships were found wrecked and stranded, including the </span><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 119%;">Chandos</span><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;">, an English East India Company ship. The </span><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 119%;">Chandos</span><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;"> was on its return voyage from Bengal to England. Today the </span><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 119%;">Chandos</span><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;"> is buried under reclaimed land near the Castle in Cape Town. The 27-year-old Ignácio FERREIRA was a surviving sailor on the </span><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 119%;">Chandos. </span><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;">He decided to stay at the Cape and entered the service of the Dutch East India Company as a soldier.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;">On 06 November 1735, Ignácio (later Ignatius) FERREIRA married the 18-year-old Martha TERBLANCHE in Stellenbosch. They had 10 children. All the children were given Dutch names. In 1748, Ignácio applied for tenure of a stock farm called </span><span lang="en-ZA" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 119%;">"De Hartebeest Kuijl"</span><span lang="en-ZA" style="line-height: 119%;"> near Mossel Bay. The original homestead and a portion of the farm is today under the water of the dam supplying Mossel Bay. From here the family spread through the Langkloof, Karoo, to the Gamtoos Valley, throughout the Eastern Cape and beyond. Ignácio FERREIRA died on 24 May 1772 at the age of 77 years.</span></span></p><p></p>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-33839789968423534682023-08-27T23:28:00.031+02:002023-08-28T01:17:08.196+02:00THE POSTMASTER’S MISTRESS<p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">In October 1945, the Liberty ship <i>SS Samnesse</i> sailed into Durban Harbour, bringing returning servicemen and tanks from Europe. The ship was built in the United States during World War II and transferred to the British Ministry of War Transportation upon completion.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The only woman aboard was Elena VAN PRAAG (born 27 November 1920). She was the girlfriend of Captain George Samuel JENNINGS (born 25 December 1914) of the 6th South African Armoured Division. Elena was of Dutch-Jewish descent and had grown up in Italy where her father, Barend, owned a shipping business in Genoa. In 1940 the VAN PRAAG family was forced into civilian internment. Her father lost his business and Elena’s reign as an equestrian champion was over. Banished from their home in Genoa, they left behind their work helping German Jews escape Europe via Italy, including Albert EINSTEIN's sister. They found refuge in Florence where their apartment in the Palazzo della Gherardesca backed on to a garden which the Germans occupied from 1943 until the Allies took over in 1944. This is where Elena met George.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">George was tasked with marking the route north for his division, as well as driving Major-General Evered POOLE on his daily traverse of the Monte Cassino Pass, always under sniper fire. For this he was mentioned in dispatches. Elena’s father often hosted officers at home and one day he offered George a night’s accommodation. Elena met the young officer in the dining-room the next morning. At the end of the war, George managed to get Elena a berth on the <i>SS Samnesse</i>. Elena sailed out with 13 pieces of luggage, including a pasta machine.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Durban, Elena was met by Stan CONKER, who had served as a Sergeant with George. At the same time, an official approached her and told her that she had been declared an "undesirable immigrant" and was to be repatriated within the week. She had to stay with Stan at his home until she boarded another ship back to Europe, where she worked for the Allies in their clean-up operations until 1947 when George was finally able to take her to South Africa.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The couple were married on 25 April 1947 and leased a guest farm in Munster, Natal. Elena had gone ahead of George and set about clearing lands and setting up a home. The farm had a party line telephone. Not being familiar with this system, every time the phone rang Elena picked it up, until the operator, Dulcie SAWYER, at the Munster Trading Post, shouted at her. Thereafter she wouldn’t touch it and eventually a policeman arrived on horseback to check on her because George couldn’t get hold of her.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cecil BLAKE, a South African Airways pilot, was often a guest at the farm during sardine season. During his Johannesburg-Durban-Cape Town flights, he would drop a copy of the Sunday Times newspaper, weighted with a bag of sweets, onto the front lawn and repeat the service for the Port Edward Hotel. Whenever he flew over, he buzzed the guest farm. One day he spotted George kite fishing, so he severed his line. George retaliated by launching some kind of explosive device at the Dakota the next time the aircraft flew over. Unfortunately, Cecil wasn’t the pilot and the pilot reported being attacked. Cecil was in the office, overheard him, and realised it must have been George.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the farm lease ran out, they decided to run the post office in Port Edward. George became the postmaster with Elena as his assistant and telephone operator. There was very little in Port Edward in 1957: a few rondavels at the Police Holiday Camp, the hotel, a couple of stores and a few cottages. John MPOFU, who had come from Munster with them, would wheel the postbags to the railway bus stop at the entrance to Port Edward every day. He would often take a nap in the wheelbarrow, head pillowed on the post bags - he and George started their postal work at 4:00 a.m.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1CnQWGOhtXdSWZPPrcG3FnIx9OYS0DtixxOkcXFzAe1nHIUhkzdPMLuVPLLXrt6uRYRO59XQ8Wp4BCrK1hUvWW1ac2priRkjTxbrNDVoEAD9KZTOMUmYfR2BMMOfJwQWZnBDXj0pQcp1rn_2rQRiJ5m_6bWXNyUZ9kEarhSmIBXsDT3orSdvpU-iPCk/s1360/ThePostmastersMistress.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="907" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1CnQWGOhtXdSWZPPrcG3FnIx9OYS0DtixxOkcXFzAe1nHIUhkzdPMLuVPLLXrt6uRYRO59XQ8Wp4BCrK1hUvWW1ac2priRkjTxbrNDVoEAD9KZTOMUmYfR2BMMOfJwQWZnBDXj0pQcp1rn_2rQRiJ5m_6bWXNyUZ9kEarhSmIBXsDT3orSdvpU-iPCk/w266-h400/ThePostmastersMistress.jpg" width="266" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1972, George was diagnosed with cancer and given nine months to live. The cobalt treatment worked, but left him with colon problems and he had to retire. Elena took over as postmistress and George spent his time as chairman of the town board for eight years. Although this was a voluntary position, he got the roads tarred and organised the construction of the civic buildings. Elena was also a capable draughtsperson and was responsible for drawing up plans for various buildings. George discovered that the defunct golf course was about to be lost and fundraised enough to revive it and build a small clubhouse. George loved playing golf and continued to play with the aid of a scooter when cancer incapacitated him. He battled poor health for 17 years. He passed away in Port Edward on 21 February 1988. His ashes were scattered on the seventh hole of his beloved golf course.</span></div><p></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the back of her cottage, Elena had a view over the golf course and from the front, a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean. She passed away in Port Edward on 30 October 2016.<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ruth FIFIELD was born in Johannesburg and became an English teacher in Port Shepstone. Her writing interests include local history, and that is how she got to spend Monday afternoons with Elena to record her life story. Eight years later, in September 2014, Ruth’s book, <i>The Postmaster's Mistress</i>, a 316-page biography, was published by Partridge Publishing. The book is available in softcover and e-book on Amazon.</span></p>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-62772160187865150282021-08-02T03:46:00.016+02:002023-08-10T08:19:44.493+02:00SOUTH AFRICA'S CENTENARIANS<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Corrie WIJNBEEK</b> lived through two World Wars (28 Jul 1914 – 11 Nov 1918 and 01 Sep 1939 – 02 Sep 1945), the Spanish Flu (1918 – 1920), the Great Depression (Aug 1929 – Mar 1933), and the current COVID-19 pandemic. She passed away on 13 July 2021 at the age of 108 in Swartruggens.<br />She was living with her son, Dirk WIJNBEEK (75) a Gereformeerde Kerk minister, and his wife Nelriet, who looked after her.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cornelia Geertje VAN DER BURGH (aka Corrie) was born on 18 February 1913 in Den Haag, The Netherlands. She was married on 08 December 1937 and had five children. During WWI, her husband, Dirk Hendrik Petrus WIJNBEEK (13 Jan 1914 - Jul 1981), was a prisoner-of-war in Germany, and one of her sons, Dirkie, died at home. She immigrated to South Africa in 1949 with her husband and four children. They rented a home in Johannesburg before buying land in Bodmin Street, New Redruth, Alberton, and building a house. Dirk Hendrik Petrus worked in the paint business in Alberton, where Corrie lived for 58 years.</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">In those early years in New Redruth, the roads were still untarred, and there was no sewage system in place, a night wagon came through twice per week to empty the buckets.<br />A daughter, Yvonne, and her husband Willem RAS, were killed in a car hijacking on the N12 near Eldorado Park in 2008.<br />Her other son, Marinus (28 Aug 1939 - 02 Aug 2020) was a well-known scientist, journalist and SABC TV presenter. He was a lecturer for 9 years before he joined the SABC as science editor. In 1979 the SABC started broadcasting the Afrikaans science magazine show Brandkluis for 4 seasons, in which Marinus as presenter discussed science subjects. He immigrated to the Netherlands in September 1996 with his wife, Annatjie. He was the founder of Kempton Park Technical College. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another daughter is Beatrix VAN DER WALT who lives in Brackenhurst, Alberton.<br />After a break-in at her flat in Alberton, she moved in with Dirk and Nelriet. In 2013 they moved from Steynsburg in the Eastern Cape to Swartruggens.<br />She had 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.<br />At the time of her death, Corrie was the second-oldest living Dutch emigrant, after Catharina VAN DER LINDEN (born 26 August 1912)of Adelaide, Australia.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghH-jTEo1qiy7TIAui6QiUnTMz__re-E_gH6VjE04Z7jbs3XB7UWl65Nwv0HZhWeF933n5pyAbjmhCD3HMMZn_calNg610VjkARoNx4uKO9O6N8IqoAw4W5uLXxpSbjsqDvkb3tRuRzkA/s480/Ella+POTGIETER.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="480" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghH-jTEo1qiy7TIAui6QiUnTMz__re-E_gH6VjE04Z7jbs3XB7UWl65Nwv0HZhWeF933n5pyAbjmhCD3HMMZn_calNg610VjkARoNx4uKO9O6N8IqoAw4W5uLXxpSbjsqDvkb3tRuRzkA/w200-h161/Ella+POTGIETER.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ella</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Ella Johanna POTGIETER</b>, age 101, tested positive for COVID-19 in June 2021, and survived. Ella Johanna THERON was born on 22 July 1920 in Middelburg, Eastern Cape. Her family moved to Pretoria when she was 4 years old. She attended Laerskool Oost-Eind in Sunnyside, and Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool. Ella is the high school's oldest living past student, celebrating her 100th birthday in the school's century year. She left school in Grade 10, to work on the family farm in Rosslyn. She married Barend Jacobus Daniel POTGIETER (14 Aug 1916 - 12 Oct 1988) on 08 November 1941. She worked as a school secretary at Laerskool Akasia for many years before retiring in 1982. Ella currently lives in Pretoria North with her daughter Welma JACOBSZ. Ella has three children - two daughters, and a son who died four years ago. She has 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3bQnZGsMmwJJ0SyVvrAgBmsHiw6izOFmaBGJtBBpN2fg4TknTXPZKHlCDmX0qkzqfSsndb1kNR7x7UFrXS5vtboKXQ3ePrNJenqt0t2kpbmsZLh_89ejUXuIEL600JwzD2LlF_DSmqI/s700/Shariefa+KHAN.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="700" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3bQnZGsMmwJJ0SyVvrAgBmsHiw6izOFmaBGJtBBpN2fg4TknTXPZKHlCDmX0qkzqfSsndb1kNR7x7UFrXS5vtboKXQ3ePrNJenqt0t2kpbmsZLh_89ejUXuIEL600JwzD2LlF_DSmqI/w200-h124/Shariefa+KHAN.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shariefa</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Shariefa KHAN</b> (100) has finally returned to District Six, where she once lived with her husband and six children until the Group Areas Act evictions of the 1960s. On 17 June 2021, she received the news that she was getting a new 2-bedroom flat in Russell Street. She had applied for a house in 1996 and is the oldest living District Six land claimant. She is one of 108 people who were due to move into their new homes this July, but a construction snag has caused a delay.<br />On 11 February 1966, the government declared District Six a white area and shortly thereafter, the family received a letter that they would have to move. Shariefa and her husband, Dawood, lost their house and their Bombay Cafe (aka Dout's Cafe) at 238 Hanover Street in the evictions in 1968, the buildings were bulldozed. Dawood (aka Dout) was a chef. The family lived in Bailey Flats in Hanover Street, close to the Avalon Bioscope. Their cafe was famous for its Indian and Cape Malay cuisine. The family was forced to move to Rylands Estate on the outskirts of Cape Town in the then newly-formed Cape Flats.<br />She's been living with her daughter, Sumaya MUKADAM (59), a caterer, in Connaught Estate, Elsiesrivier. Another daughter, Nadiema KHAN (68), will move in with her mother in the new house to care for her as Shariefa had a stroke in stroke in December 2020 which left her whellchair-bound.<br />Shariefa was born on 25 April 1921in Vryburg, North West, to Ahmad Khan DESHMUKH and Gadija MALLAK - who were Indian immigrants to South Africa. Her family moved to Cape Town in 1928, first living in Muizenberg and later in Kensington where her father had the first halaal butchery in the area. She had eight siblings but only one younger sister is alive and she lives overseas. Shariefa married Dawood KHAN, also an Indian migrant living in District Six.<br />Dawood died in 1978 at age 63 of heart failure. Shariefa started making samoosas for an income, working into her 90s. Of her six children, only three are alive - Sumaya, Nadiema, and Rashida DA COSTA (63) who lives in Crawford, Cape Town. A daughter, Shamsunisa, died at 21, and another daughter, Zainab, died at 12 in an accident in front of the family's cafe. Her only son, Abdullah, died at age 72. She has 17 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynZy8XsUzRRf6f5cMpE0iMmZ0e9g9qIR2jadSNlvtXJOuyqWy61PmGMsxZBCLb_vR9U7bWzkiy7fqz8oL0w5NFFWbihKQESslxR8IXKOPjRtcNiUtdMwjEZ4UQgokBjHRlAsHJQWhwJI/s606/BREDENKAMP+twins.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="606" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynZy8XsUzRRf6f5cMpE0iMmZ0e9g9qIR2jadSNlvtXJOuyqWy61PmGMsxZBCLb_vR9U7bWzkiy7fqz8oL0w5NFFWbihKQESslxR8IXKOPjRtcNiUtdMwjEZ4UQgokBjHRlAsHJQWhwJI/w200-h138/BREDENKAMP+twins.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bredenkamp twins</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Hendrik and Anna BREDENKAMP</b>, twins born on 31 August 1919 and originally from Bultfontein in the Free State, celebrated their 100th birthday in Garsfontein, Pretoria. The wheelchair-bound twins were the last surviving of 11 children. Anna never married and worked as a missionary in Malawi for 26 years, after which she did counselling work with soldiers at 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria. Besides Afrikaans, she was fluent in English, Zulu and Chichewa. Anna died on 28 July 2020 of COVID-19, at Serene Park Retirement Home in Garsfontein.<br />The twins lived at Serene Park Retirement Home, with Hendrik living in a private unit across the road with his son Gerhard.</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Hendrik was a Magistrate in the Free State, and later the Chief Magistrate in Pretoria. He was also fluent in English, Zulu and Dutch. He married Mona Marie Catharine BAASCH on 26 January 1946 and they had five children. Mona died on 18 October 2002 in Pretoria. Hendrik has 13 gra</span><span style="font-size: medium;">ndchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tossie GOUWS</b> celebrated her 100th birthday on 15 February 2021 at Ons Tuis Riviera Retirement Home in Pretoria. She's lived at Ons Tuis since May 2014.<br />Hendrika Margaretha MEINTJIES was born in Klerksdorp, where she grew up. She outlived two husbands, VAN ZYL and GOUWS. Her oldest daughter is 80 years old, another, Tersia KLEYNHANS is 72. Tossie had 6 children, and has 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.<br />She once sent some of her smocking work to Princess Anne. Tossie was also a baker and cook. At one stage, she and her husband owned a furniture store, and she was a regional manager for Russels. <br /><br /><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHa8Dky3yQHwFCLfMEdZ8BsIfQbQzap1bbgN2Bmaq1YIeeni8iGMBur5ORFjmeppKNKL0YV9mFimhNxQbpdCLUEo_b7NEhs0TASS0_v-08e2yv6D2U_as7Y7TV4I6rkkYwUU2l7Jsr_nc/s306/Katriena+STRYDOM.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="306" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHa8Dky3yQHwFCLfMEdZ8BsIfQbQzap1bbgN2Bmaq1YIeeni8iGMBur5ORFjmeppKNKL0YV9mFimhNxQbpdCLUEo_b7NEhs0TASS0_v-08e2yv6D2U_as7Y7TV4I6rkkYwUU2l7Jsr_nc/w200-h157/Katriena+STRYDOM.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Katriena, Jan (back), John-Will, Benjamin <br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Katriena STRYDOM</b> of Rietvallei farm, near Robertson, was born on 28 June 1919. She grew up in the area, and worked on the farm in the house and in the vineyards. Her first work was as a shepherd on Chris VILJOEN's farm.<br />Her mother died at age 106. Katriena had 9 children, of which 5 are deceased. She has 25 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, including Benjamin LOUW (grandson) and John-Will ARENDSE (great-grandson).<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b>Janet ROBERTS</b> died at age 101 at Huis Weltevrede in Welkom on 01 June 2014. She was often seen at rose shows, and at age 95 was still doing her own laundry and ironing. Her son, Ian, visited her every day, and until a few weeks before he passing, they would go out forice cream or waffles evey day.<br />In her younger years she was a league tennis player in Virginia. She stopped playing tennis at age 79.<br />Janet ARNOT was born on 07 February 1913 in Roodepoort. She married William Robert Charles ROBERTS on 01 June 1940, and they settled in Virginia in 1952. He worked at the Harmony Gold Mine. They had two sons, Ian and Clive. Janet had 2 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.<br /><br /><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGX8yj6tos62byp78IzHABMcaauGm3a0dmab-OzCBnOmNzxOxjUzo84u2SeZvbqEfz73Xd1crSuo7qHbaA0nZUTwHhdBrICsH_wzJD50vmCVDPw_6vKjanRLnqYC4huMYXf5L7Fd-D584/s424/Mary+SWART.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="392" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGX8yj6tos62byp78IzHABMcaauGm3a0dmab-OzCBnOmNzxOxjUzo84u2SeZvbqEfz73Xd1crSuo7qHbaA0nZUTwHhdBrICsH_wzJD50vmCVDPw_6vKjanRLnqYC4huMYXf5L7Fd-D584/w185-h200/Mary+SWART.jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Miss Mary</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Miss Mary SWART</b> of Huis Klippedrift in Napier celebrated her 100th birthday on 04 June 2015. She moved to Huis Klippedrift in 2015.<br />Maria Carolina SWART (aka Miss Mary) was born on 04 June 1915 on Heuningberg farm in Bredasdorp. She died on 18 Julie 2017 at age 102 in Napier.<br />Her father donated a small hall on his property to the African People's Organisation so that they could have a meeting place. Her sister, Susan and husband Jack VAN RENSBURG, fought to save the buildings that now house the Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp. In 1967, the authorities planned to demolish the old Independent Church building and hall. The community joined hands and after a large donation from Gideon ALBERTYN, they raised funds for a museum fund. The buildings, which belonged to the Anglican Church at that stage, were bought under the auspices of the municipality and declared a National Monument. The church building houses the Shipwreck Museum and the old hall next door houses the village museum. Miss Mary was an active member of the Friends of the Shipwreck Museum.<br /><br /><b>Lydia RADEBE</b> of Villiers in the Free State turned 100 in August 2019. She was born on 13 August 1919 on a farm near Villiers.<br />In 1995 she received the first low-cost 3-room house built in Qalabotjha, Villiers, where she lived with two granddaughters. For her 100th birthday the community made repairs to the house.<br /><br /><b>Gerty LÖTTER</b> of Robbertsz Street, Brandwacht in Stellenbosch celebrated her 100th birthday on 29 April 2019. She was born in Hopefield. She lived in Somerset West for many years before moving in with her daughter, Rita DE JAGER. Gerty was the youngest of 9 children and outlived them all. She also outlived her son. Gerty died in November 2019.<br /><br /><b>Willie SMIT</b> turned 100 years old on 10 June 2021, a few days before moving to Ons Tuis Rivera in Pretoria.<br />Willem Frederick Jacobus SMIT was born on 10 June 1921 near Boksburg, one of six children. Three of them are still alive. He started an apprenticeship at Simmer & Jack Mine, and worked until his 40s on the gold mines in the Welkom area. He left to farm with sheep and cattle on the Highveld, together with his wife Henriëtte and their 4 children ((of whom two daughters are still alive). They later retired to Hartenbos for a few years before moving to Pretoria. He outlived Henriëtte and 2 children. Willie has 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.<br /><br /><b>Chithekile MaGumede HLABISA</b>, 101, survived COVID-19 and later received her vaccination. One of her daughters, Nelisiwe HLABISA, died from COVID-19. Chithekile lives in Ward 1 near Mzingazi in KwaZulu-Natal.<br /><br /><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggI5BHbyLDwZmVGBWhJ8QhJbsUEi3TicnrSZGpv1fB_FxoGY67nWApm_wSpanScLwHFf5wd0hc4DzCFa1Xcp17413qgCirBO8B5WZIaM42yXOC45vsE0gNarS03FcsvkQSpkB6npDZXRg/s1440/Eunice+FICK.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggI5BHbyLDwZmVGBWhJ8QhJbsUEi3TicnrSZGpv1fB_FxoGY67nWApm_wSpanScLwHFf5wd0hc4DzCFa1Xcp17413qgCirBO8B5WZIaM42yXOC45vsE0gNarS03FcsvkQSpkB6npDZXRg/w200-h150/Eunice+FICK.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Eunice</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Eunice FICK</b> from Bellville, Cape Town, celebrated her 102nd birthday by getting the COVID-19 vaccine on 26 May 2021. Eunice DE JAGER was born in Oudtshoorn and has lived in her flat behind Eureka Retirement Home in Bellville for 26 years. Welhma LISHMAN is one of two daughters.<br />Eunice has 7 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Gabriel Stephanus FICK (aka Kokkie), died on 04 September 2009 at age 94. They were married on 14 March 1945. She is one of Die Burger newspaper's oldest subscribers, having had a subscription for more than 50 years. Her father was also a subscriber.<br /><br /><b>Coba SCHABORT</b> of Bloemfontein celebrated her 104th birthday on 29 April 2021, spending the day with her two daughters, 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.<br />Her daughter, Annalet NEL, lives with her in a townhouse in Langenhoven Park. Helene WILKE is her other daughter.<br />Coba is the oldest member of the Voortrekkerbeweging, having been a member for 90 of their 101 years. She received an honorary award from them in their centenary year.<br />She grew up in Reivilo, in North West province. The town was named after her father, A.J. OLIVIER. Coba survived the Spanish Flu pandemic, having been infected in 1918.</span></div><br />Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-49330200167174516492014-01-03T22:56:00.001+02:002017-01-03T15:34:43.107+02:00JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN - BLOEMFONTEIN'S MOST FAMOUS BABYJohn Ronald Reuel TOLKIEN was born in Bloemfontein on 03 January 1892, the son of Arthur Reuel TOLKIEN, an Englishman who had taken up a position with the Africa Bank Corporation, and his wife Mabel SUFFIELD (1870–1904). Arthur arrived in Cape Town in 1890, and in 1891 he was transferred to Bloemfontein. He sent for his <span class="vmod">fiancée</span>, Mabel, and they were married on 16 April 1891 in the St. George's Anglican Cathedral in Cape Town. In 1895 when JRR was three years old, his mother took him and his brother, Hilary Arthur Reuel (born 17 February 1894) back to England. During their absence, Arthur fell ill with rheumatic fever and died of severe brain haemorrhage on 15 February 1896. Arthur's funeral service took place at the Anglican Church in Bloemfontein, and he was buried at the President Brand Cemetery on the corner of Church and Rhodes Avenue.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxGqbe9edAAKh0ICSq9j4ObQpP3jwqncMtKjimKojxQzljBZHVEe1BhgbbpnoM2JReS8tcjW7wbJPDS2M6_iTsB5hQCw0UZPG_C7CN26i0mIKH9bhRz31EnWlSrDv_nqSH19eEtA18K0/s1600/1892ChristmasCardTolkien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxGqbe9edAAKh0ICSq9j4ObQpP3jwqncMtKjimKojxQzljBZHVEe1BhgbbpnoM2JReS8tcjW7wbJPDS2M6_iTsB5hQCw0UZPG_C7CN26i0mIKH9bhRz31EnWlSrDv_nqSH19eEtA18K0/s640/1892ChristmasCardTolkien.jpg" width="491" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Handwritten Christmas card photo of the Tolkien family, sent by Mabel from Bloemfontein to her relatives in Birmingham, on 15 November 1892. Mabel is seated, the nanny is holding baby JRR then ten months old. The cook and a servant are also included. The original photo was sepia, Mabel had coloured in some sections and added the writing.</i></td></tr>
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In 1992, Arthur's grave was located after a long search made difficult by the lack of a gravestone. Sarel THERON, who worked for the Department of Parks and Recreation in the Boemfontein Municipality, eventually found a burial register for the President Brand Cemetery. Together with Frans VAN DER WALT, who was responsible for the cemeteries, they located the grave using three registers that finally showed the grave was in Block D, Row 3, Grave number 20. A new tombstone was placed on the grave in 1994 by the Tolkien family and and the South African Tolkien Society.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj726ObpeBMtL3ryPA7eATuA2QgByWxGXWMG-iUIGNU3hxq9QYLmcQG5NSaMkhIKs6ZmbOrHBMGuimm4vVz3BhDDuDycvCD9iIbyVxqFRFJjj1wRL98fwcKJenQ89RAhnbkdSo7Si7Lg3o/s1600/ArthurTolkienGrave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj726ObpeBMtL3ryPA7eATuA2QgByWxGXWMG-iUIGNU3hxq9QYLmcQG5NSaMkhIKs6ZmbOrHBMGuimm4vVz3BhDDuDycvCD9iIbyVxqFRFJjj1wRL98fwcKJenQ89RAhnbkdSo7Si7Lg3o/s400/ArthurTolkienGrave.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Arthur Tolkien's grave in Bloemfontein</i></td></tr>
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Arthur was born in Handsworth, Stafford, England, in 1857, the eldest child of John Benjamin TOLKIEN and Mary Jane STOWE (circa 1834, Birmingham; died 13 February 1915, Newcastle upon Tyne). His father had previously been married to Jane HOLMWOOD (circa 1806, Fareham, Hampshire; died 1854, Worcester) with whom he had four children:<br />
<br />
1) Jane (born circa 1836, Marylebone, London)<br />
2) Emily (born June 1838, Marylebone, London)<br />
3) Louisa (born June 1840, Marylebone, London)<br />
4) John Benjamin (born March 1845, Birmingham, Warwickshire; died 1883, London)<br />
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He married Mary on 16 February 1856 at All Saints Parish Church, Birmingham, Warwickshire. They had the following children:<br />
<br />
1) Arthur Reuel (born 1857, Handsworth)<br />
2) Mabel (born 1858, Handsworth; died 1937)<br />
3) Grace Bindley (born 1861, Handsworth; died 1904, Kings Norton, Worcestershire)<br />
4) Florence Mary (born 1863, Birmingham)<br />
5) Frank Winslow (born 28 July 1864, Birmingham; died 24 April 1867, West Bromwich)<br />
6) Howard Charles (born 27 December 1866, Birmingham; died 27 October 1867, West Bromwich)<br />
7) Wilfrid Henry (born 1870, Handsworth; died 08 August 1938, Essex)<br />
8) Laurence George H. (born 1873, Moseley, Worcestershire)<br />
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John Benjamin was born in 1807 in Middlesex, London. He died on 01 August 1896 in Kings Norton, Warwickshire, England. He was a piano maker, teacher, and tuner. Arthur did not follow in his father's footsteps into the family trade in pianos, instead he became a bank clerk.<br />
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The Africa Bank Corporation was a double-storey sandstone building on the corner of Maitland and West Burger Street. The family lived in the top floor. The building later became a Bradlows furniture store. The building was demolished in 1933 and replaced by an Art Deco building that is still there. A bronze plaque was placed on the building in 1984, but was stolen in 1997. Thanks to an alert policeman, it was recovered a few days later, and is now kept at the <a href="http://www.hobbit.co.za/" target="_blank">Hobbit Boutique Hotel</a> in President Steyn Street.<br />
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After Arthur's death, Mabel had no income, so she moved back in with her parents in Kings Heath, Birmingham. In 1896, they moved to Sarehole, a Worcestershire village. Mabel taught her two children herself, teaching them art, calligraphy, maths, science, English literature, and reading Latin and French. JRR liked to draw landscapes and trees, but his favourite lessons were languages.<br />
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Mabel became a Catholic in 1900, despite her Baptist family's protests. This led to her family stopping financial assistance to her. In 1904, when JRR was 12, Mabel died of acute diabetes at Fern Cottage in Rednal. She was buried at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. The young boys stayed with their aunt, Beatrice SUFFIELD, for a short while. Prior to her death, she assigned guardianship of her sons to her close friend, Fr. Francis Xavier MORGAN of the Birmingham Oratory. After her death, JRR grew up in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham and attended King Edward's School, Birmingham, and later St. Philip's School. In 1903, he won a Foundation Scholarship and returned to King Edward's where he was one of the cadets from the school's Officers Training Corps who lined the route for the 1910 Coronation Parade of King George V.<br />
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JRR was known as Ronald by his family, and had the nickname Tollers. While in his early teens, JRR's cousins, Mary and Majorie INCLEDON invented their own language called Animalic. Mary and others, including JRR, went on to invent a more complex language they called Nevbosh. His own first invented language was Naffarin.<br />
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The 1901 England Census shows JRR living in Kings Norton, Kings Heath, Worcestershire, with his mother and brother. The 1911 England Census shows him boarding at 4 Highfield Road, Edgbaston, with his brother Hilary (occupation: hardware merchant's clerk).<br />
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In 1911, JRR went on a summer holiday to Switzerland. In October 1911, he began studying at Exeter College, Oxford. He initially studied Classics but changed his course in 1913 to English Language and Literature, graduating in 1915 with first-class honours. At Oxford he was friends with Clive Staples LEWIS, who went on to write the Narnia Chronicles. Every Monday morning the two would meet to read each other's writings. They later formed a group of writers called The Inklings.<br />
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At the age of 16, JRR met Edith Mary BRATT, when he and his brother moved into the boarding house where she lived. She was also an orphan, and a Protestant, which did not please Fr. MORGAN who forbid JRR from having contact with her until he was 21. He obeyed this prohibition, with one early exception, over which Fr. MORGAN threatened to cut short his university career. The day he turned 21, JRR wrote to Edith, asking her to marry him. Edith replied that she had already agreed to marry another man, thinking he had forgotten her. They met up, after which Edith returned her engagement ring and accepted JRR's proposal. She reluctantly converted to Catholicism, after which her Protestant landlord evicted her. They couple were married at St. Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church, Warwick, on 22 March 1916. Mary was born on 21 January 1889 in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, and died on 29 November 1971 in Poole, Dorset. She served as the inspiration for his fictional character Lúthien Tinúviel, an Elven princess and the most beautiful of all the Children of Ilúvatar. The couple are buried side by side in Wolvercote Cemetery, Oxford; below the names on their grave are the names Beren and Lúthien: in Tolkien's legendarium, Lúthien and the Man Beren were lovers separated for a time by Lúthien's father King Thingol.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkA69THOokKUanxyv9x5jgEpNNP0GIFVcWLpCr07dtRLPzRQ17T26r95gqvvFNdC10YB7tCiMBc8zTiAugLZdikGSPGWXiqYlhzGXKjT3qbVk6P-CmRrmnJNnKjyJIipUP5aZ_V14Hpjk/s1600/EdithJRRTolkien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkA69THOokKUanxyv9x5jgEpNNP0GIFVcWLpCr07dtRLPzRQ17T26r95gqvvFNdC10YB7tCiMBc8zTiAugLZdikGSPGWXiqYlhzGXKjT3qbVk6P-CmRrmnJNnKjyJIipUP5aZ_V14Hpjk/s400/EdithJRRTolkien.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Edith and JRR</i></td></tr>
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JRR and Edith had the following children:<br />
<br />
1) John Francis Reuel (16 November 1917 - 22 January 2003). Became a Catholic priest in 1946.<br />
2) Michael Hilary Reuel (22 October 1920 - 27 February 1984)<br />
3) Christopher John Reuel (born 21 November 1924). He married Faith FAULCONBRIDGE in 1951. Their son Simon Mario Reuel was born in 1959. They separated in 1963 and divorced in 1967. He next married Baillie KLASS (born 1941, Winnipeg, Canada) in 1967. They have two children: Adam Reuel (born 1969) and Rachel Clare Reuel (born 1971)<br />
4) Priscilla Mary Anne Reuel (born 18 June 1929)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2v-vOyu-lwPCk9KqDSY8B1kv5G0oVMYH-3kC_C45CTulB6vRhKdah2nlbhKS97HHFHG2NmJcpNOgwl675-squI5wR7BvdEXQEZfNY96azO0X-P6xHLDm_r77We6WyQlsyrxwJZK5R7o/s1600/JRRTolkien1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2v-vOyu-lwPCk9KqDSY8B1kv5G0oVMYH-3kC_C45CTulB6vRhKdah2nlbhKS97HHFHG2NmJcpNOgwl675-squI5wR7BvdEXQEZfNY96azO0X-P6xHLDm_r77We6WyQlsyrxwJZK5R7o/s320/JRRTolkien1916.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>JRR in World War I</i></td></tr>
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When World War I broke out, JRR did not immediately volunteer for the British Army as he was completing his degree. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1915, after graduation. After training as a Signals Officer, he was sent to the Somme. In between terms behind the lines at Bouzincourt, Tolkien participated in the assaults on the Schwaben Redoubt and the Leipzig Salient. JRR and Edith developed a secret code for his letters home so that Edith could track his whereabouts on a map of the Western Front. In October 1916, as his battalion attacked Regina Trench, JRR came down with trench fever and was invalided to England on in November. By 1918 all but one of his close friends were dead.<br />
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In 1921, while teaching at Leeds University, the University of Cape Town offered him a position. However, Edith was still recovering from the birth of their son Michael in 1920, and JRR turned the offer down. In 1922 he became a Professor of English at Oxford. He became a Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College, Oxford, from 1925 to 1945, and then Professor of English Language and Literature at Merton College, Oxford from 1945 to 1959.<br />
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He started writing The Hobbit in the early 1930s. It was published on 21 September 1937. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, he started writing The Lord of the Rings, taking 12 years to complete. It was published in three volumes over the course of a year from 29 July 1954 to 20 October 1955. The three volumes were titled The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Sir Stanley UNWIN, his publisher, said of The Lord of the Rings: ''a book for all times which we will be selling long after my departure from this world... a great work''. The Lord of the Rings was released as a film in 2000. After he retired, JRR started work on completing The Silmarillion, which was inspired by his relationship with Edith. It was only completed after his death by his son, Christopher, and published in 1977. JRR died on 02 September 1973 at Bournmouth, England. He was buried at Wolvercote Cemetery, Oxford.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrkFxuGSYR15ZY5Ps0BdBgMcFGUBbzWWXXBy8f_sfrqUz33vo4cCgRncXw8NjrjZmtftOPXjUBD1sVXnEwjwLXMLyf-pQZ9hYWW7V_Nf968gF7zk02dM_lCyFdyJbdhQdkBeNm1Ulzv4/s1600/JRRLastPhoto1973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrkFxuGSYR15ZY5Ps0BdBgMcFGUBbzWWXXBy8f_sfrqUz33vo4cCgRncXw8NjrjZmtftOPXjUBD1sVXnEwjwLXMLyf-pQZ9hYWW7V_Nf968gF7zk02dM_lCyFdyJbdhQdkBeNm1Ulzv4/s400/JRRLastPhoto1973.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JRR at the Botanical Garden, Oxford. This is probably the last photograph of him, and was taken by his grandson Michael George in 1973.</td></tr>
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In 2003, Bloemfontein launched a Tolkien Route. Sights on the tour included Arthur's grave, and the St. George' Anglican Cathedral where JRR was baptised on 31 January 1892, and a bronze plaque can be seen next to the baptismal font. This was followed by a visit to where the Africa Bank Corporation building stood. The tour ended at the Hobbitt Boutique Hotel in President Steyn Street, where each of its seven rooms is named after one of the hobbit characters in The Hobbit. The privately owned Hobbit house has hosted dignitaries, including the Duke of Kent, and JRR's daughter Priscilla. It is owned Jake UYS, who was chairman of the Haradrim Society, a Tolkien society for Afrikaans speakers in South Africa founded in 2000 and now defunct.<br />
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It is often claimed that the Amatola Mountains in Hogsback, Eastern Cape, served as inspiration for JRR's stories, and that his family visited the area when he was a baby. No factual evidence has been found for this claim. It is said that while serving in the Royal Air Force, JRR's son Christopher was stationed in nearby Queenstown and visited Hogsback several times. He sent his father sketches and descriptions of the mountains and forests, which might be the root of this claim. Christopher drew the original maps for his father's The Lord of the Rings, which he signed C.J.R.T.<br />
<br />
I have not found reference to him being in Queenstown. Christopher enlisted in the Royal Air Force in late 1943 and was sent to South Africa for flight training at 7 Air School in Kroonstad, and 25 Air School in Standerton. He was commissioned into the general duties branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 27 January 1945 as a pilot officer on probation. He transferred to the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve on 28 June 1945, and promoted to Flying Officer on 27 July 1945.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-84226879428304214992013-11-24T00:12:00.000+02:002013-11-24T00:19:26.845+02:00MARY "PICKHANDLE" FITZGERALD - A WOMAN OF MANY FIRSTSMary SINNOTT was born in Wexford, Ireland in 1882, one of five children born to Thomas SINNOTT and Margaret DUNN. The family was Catholic. Her eldest siblings were Dorothea / Dorothy Eleanor (Dorrie) and Dennis, and her younger siblings Sarah and Barbara (Babs). Her mother's family had roots in County Meath. Mary attended Presentation Convent in Wexford, where she learnt shorthand, typing and bookkeeping.<br />
<br />
Thomas left Wexford for America, where he found employment as a representative for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. A few months later, he set sail for Cape Town. Having decided that the town had good prospects, he returned to Ireland to prepare the family for immigration to South Africa. In 1900, he left for Cape Town, with Mary who was then an attractive, red-haired, fair-skinned teenager. The rest of the family was to follow once they were established in Cape Town.<br />
<br />
Shipping records list the following passengers on the <i>Garth Castle</i> departing from Southampton on 15 December 1900 for the Cape:<br />
<br />
Miss M. SINNOTT (age 17, born ca 1883, single)<br />
Mr D. SINNOTT (age 20, born ca 1880, single)<br />
Miss S. SINNOTT (age 14, born ca 1886, single)<br />
Mr F. SINNOTT (age 45, born ca 1855)<br />
<br />
In Cape Town, Thomas started selling sewing machines, at 10 guineas each, on 28-month installment plans. Mary found work at The Castle, the headquarters of the British military in Cape Town, working for Colonel LONG as a typist. Dennis found work with the Tramways Department, where he later fell from a tram and died from his injuries. After Dennis' death, Barbara took John Brick FITZGERALD, tram conductor and a friend of Dennis, home to meet the bereaved family. Mary later married John at the Catholic Church Cathedral, and they went on to have five children - Mary (died at 6 months of age), Sidney, Kathleen (Kathy), Margaret (Peggy) and Thomas (Tommy).<br />
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Soon after the end of the Anglo-Boer War in 1902, the Sinnott and Fitzgerald families left Cape Town for Johannesburg by train. They settled in Belgravia. Margaret looked after Mary's children, and Thomas carried on selling sewing machines. John applied for a job with the City and Suburban Tramways Company and was employed as a tram driver. Mary found work as a typist for the Transvaal Miners' Association. She always wore an ankle length dress or skirt in maroon, olive green, navy or black, with a crisp white blouse and a tie; with shoes, hat and handbag imported from England.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mary Fitzgerald</i></td></tr>
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She was very concerned with the miners' well-being and often rode around the mines on her bicycle, collecting funds to bury phthisis victims properly. Phthisis is caused by the accumulation of mine dust in the lungs. She accompanied Union officials to gatherings that they addressed, and later started addressing these gatherings herself. She became very popular with the miners. In October 1909 she attended the South African Labour Party conference, the only woman among 54 delegates.<br />
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By 1911, when the workers on Johannesburg’s tram system went out on strike, Mary was a prominent labour activist. She lay on the tramlines, preventing scab drivers leaving the depot. The police arrived at the strike armed with pickhandles, In the subsequent clashes at Market Square, some of the pickhandles ended up in the hands of the strikers. They carried these to protest meetings, and this is how Mary earned her nickname of Pickhandle Mary.<br />
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In 1912 she attended a meeting chaired by Dora MONTEFIORE, a British sociologist and suffragette, to form the short-lived United Socialist Party. Mary also met Constance Antonina (Nina) BOYLE, another British suffragette and a journalist. She was one of the pioneers of the women's police service in Britain and in April 1918 was the first woman to be nominated to stand for election to the House of Commons. Two of Nina's brothers served in the Anglo-Boer War and Nina lived in South Africa at the time, working in the hospitals and as a journalist. While in South Africa she began to pursue her interest in women's rights, founding the Women's Enfranchisement League of Johannesburg. She returned to Britain in 1911. This friendship led Mary to campaign for women’s votes and equality of pay and opportunity. The Women’s Industrial League, which she founded, organised low-skilled female workers. She orgainsed a work boycott by Johannesburg waitresses which resulted in their improved pay and conditions.<br />
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She was also involved in the miners’ and general strikes of 1913 and 1914. Jammed against a wall by a police horse during the 1913 strike, she used her hatpin on the horse to free herself. She shouted defiance at the police and encouraged the strikers to stand firm. On 04 July 1913 a scuffle broke out between police, mounted soldiers and a riotous crowd in Market Square. The police were assaulted after strikers attacked them with stones. Strikers set fire to Park Station and the offices of The Star newspaper. Shop fronts were smashed, followed by looting. The strikers refused to disperse and fired shots at the military. One of the ringleaders, a tall red-headed miner from Nigel named Johannes L. LABUSCHAGNE, twice walked into the street, threw out his arms and shouted, "Shoot me!" The second time, when the crowd behind him began to move forward, he was shot dead. A 13-year old boy, Monty DUNMORE, was shot through the back while selling Strike Heralds to the crowd outside the Rand Club, and horses were killed in the crossfire. After the arson attacks, Mary was arrested for inciting workers to commit public violence. She refused to have her fingerprints taken and was imprisoned for six weeks at the Johannesburg Fort before the trial at which she was acquitted. She was the first woman to be imprisoned and tried for strike activities.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mary addressing strikers in Market Square, 1913</i></td></tr>
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Mary was at the front of Labuschagne's funeral procession. At a subsequent meeting of the strikers addressed by General Jan SMUTS, she jumped up on the platform, holding a baby. "This is Labuschagne’s baby, the child of the man that you shot," she shouted. The meeting descended into anarchy.<br />
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The 1914 general strike was catalysed by the government's decision to retrench railway workers in the National Union of Railway and Harbour Servants on Christmas Eve 1913. Martial law was imposed from January to March 1914. After the strike, General Smuts, then acting Minister of Mines, ordered the deportation to England of the instigators. They were J. T. BAIN, Archibald (Archie) CRAWFORD, R. B. WATERSON, G. MASON, D. MCKERRALL, W. LIVINGSTONE, A. WATSON, W. H. MORGAN and H. J. POUTSMA. Protests against the deportations followed, and the government rescinded the order, but not before the nine deportees were taken from their prison cells at night (without trial), taken by special train to Durban under armed escort and put aboard the steamship <i>Umgeni</i>, which sailed from Durban for London on the morning of 30 January 1914. The Umgeni arrived in London on 24 February 1914.<br />
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Mary first met Archibald CRAWFORD in 1911. Born in Scotland, and a fitter by trade, he came to South Africa as a soldier during the Anglo-Boer War. He became a foreman in the Pretoria Railway's Works soon after, until he was dismissed in 1906 for agitating against retrenchment. He became a trade union activist and a Labour councillor, and published the Voice of Labour between 1908 and 1912. They also printed The Strike Herald, which often publish the names of scab workers. When Archie was deported in 1914, Mary joined him, although still married to her husband and pregnant. She gave birth to her last Fitzgerald child in England.<br />
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Archie encouraged her to stand in the first Johannesburg Town Council elections in 1915, after women had received the municipal franchise. She won a seat, becoming the first woman to hold public office in the city. She served from 10 November 1915 to 26 October 1921, becoming chairman of the Public Health Committee in 1915, and deputy mayor in 1921 to Mayor John CHRISTIE. On her retirement she was presented with a car bought by public donations, the first to be owned and driven by a Johannesburg woman.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mary's election poster</i></td></tr>
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Between 1915 and 1918 union membership increased greatly. Unions were getting more organised, and needed to print more pamphlets. Mary trained as a printer, qualifing as a master printer, and becoming the first female printer in Johannesburg. She became co-owner Modern Press with Archie, which printed Voice of Labour. When Voice of Labour became defunct, they produced the Weekly Herald. In 1929 Mary had to abandon Modern Press.<br />
<br />
In 1918, Mary divorced John, who although a striker, had remained uninvolved and unhappy with her activities. She married Archie in 1919 and they set up home in Bramley. In 1921 Mary took part in a strike in Durban and in the same year was appointed by the government as an official adviser to her husband at the International Labour Organization conference in Geneva. This trip made her unpopular with workers.<br />
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After 1921 Mary seemed to lose interest in union and political activities. She did not stand for Council again in 1922. Mary and Archie's only child, also Archie, was born in 1922. The Communist Party won leadership of the South African Industrial Federation, ousting Archie. He remained in the trade union movement, and Mary settled into domesticity. In 1924 Archie became ill with enteric fever, and died in hospital. After Archie's death, she took no further part in public life. From 1926 she withdrew almost entirely from public view and after a stroke spent her last years living with her daughter. She died in Johannesburg on 26 September 1960, and was buried at the Brixton Cemetery, alongside Archie.<br />
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In 1939 the Johannesburg City Council approved a motion to name the square in Newton, the Mary Fitzgerald Square. The square was previously known as Aaron's Ground and was initially a wagon site, but was used for the many strikers' meetings. The council never got around to the official dedication, and it was only so renamed in 1989. The pickhandle she is said to have used was kept at the Africana Museum in Johannesburg. In September 2005 a plaque in her memory was unveiled at Mary Fitzgerald Square - her son, Archie, was 81 when the plaque was unveiled.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCELZCKsmsrtcnkd-81farVDZKbf685vbtU_UwvHN_PfgyMJtpNnMsvoAgm4eiWQHq1qiOCpyvive6lkF3U8J10by7oPysSY1Y4shp86nk994hcKtk3BYo5ybwY5yI8feFrGKdKmQS7Q/s1600/mary_fitzgerald+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCELZCKsmsrtcnkd-81farVDZKbf685vbtU_UwvHN_PfgyMJtpNnMsvoAgm4eiWQHq1qiOCpyvive6lkF3U8J10by7oPysSY1Y4shp86nk994hcKtk3BYo5ybwY5yI8feFrGKdKmQS7Q/s1600/mary_fitzgerald+book.jpg" /></a>Mary's father died in 1916.<br />
Her sister, Dorrie, married Frederick William BROOKS (born in Grahamstown). She died in 1972, as did Frederick.<br />
Sarah married James KELLY. She died in 1966, he died in 1951.<br />
Mary's son, Tommy, had a daughter Glenda who married VAN OERLE.<br />
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A small brewery has named a brew after Mary - <a href="http://jollyredbrewery.blogspot.com/p/pickhandle-mary-malted-oats-stout.html" target="_blank">Pickhandle Mary Malted Oats Stout</a>.<br />
<br />
A book, <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/frances-hunter/mary-pickhandle-fitzgerald-rediscovering-a-lost-icon/paperback/product-14600159.html" target="_blank">Mary 'Pickhandle' Fitzgerald: Rediscovering a Lost Icon</a>, was written by Frances Hunter, a South African journalist who now lives in Sante Fe, California.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-80842261415809497412013-11-17T12:22:00.000+02:002013-11-17T12:22:00.869+02:00BOERS IN ARGENTINA<div class="MsoNormal">
After the Anglo-Boer War, Boers not only trekked to other parts of Africa, they also looked further afield. Argentina was the focus of a large group of Boers. Today, many of their descendants are still found in the Comodoro Rivadavia and Sarmiento areas. Between 1903 and 1909, up to 800 Boer families trekked by ship to Argentina’s east coast. Some of Argentina’s wealthiest sheep farmers are descendants of the first Boers.<br />
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Mr. GREEN and Mr. VIETMA were sent from Argentina to recruit new settlers in South Africa. Louis BAUMANN of Bloemfontein was one of the first Boers to move to the province of Chubut, Argentina. Ds. Louis P. VORSTER (Gereformeerde Kerk) of Burgersdorp undertook an investigative trip to Argentina. Upon his return, many Boers joined the new trek.<br />
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In October 1905, 322 Boers left Cape Town on board the Highland Fling. A few of the Boers' servants accompanied them. The ship had arrived in Cape Town in with a load of mules from Argentina, and was refurbished to carry the passengers. They arrived in Buenos Aires, and 17 days later boarded the Presidente Roca for Chubut, arriving in Comodoro Rivadavia on 05 December 1903. Comodoro Rivadavia, 2 500 km south of Buenos Aires, is the capital city of the Chubut province. The Boers settled here on land given to them by the Argentinean government. The government wanted to populate the area and recruited foreign settlers.<br />
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Once at their new destination, they found that the land was not suitable for farming, but that sheep farming was a good alternative. There was no fresh drinking water on the land, and drinking water had to be brought in by wagon. The Boers asked for a rig from Buenos Aires to drill for water. In 1907 they hit the the first oil well. If the law had been different the Boers would've been super-rich, as most of the oil was found on their land, but in Argentina the State owns all mineral rights.<br />
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In 1925 heavy snowfall led to a large loss of sheep, and many of these Boers had to start all over again. In 1934 there were still 900 Boers in Argentine, mostly in the Chubut province. Today, Comodoro Rivadavia is a city of more than 130 000 people. It has an Air Force base, from which Argentina orchestrated its attack of the Falkland Islands. Driving outside Comodoro Rivadavia one sees oil pumps everywhere.<br />
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In 1934, Senator Francois Stephanus MALAN visited the Afrikaans community in Argentina in answer to a plea for church and school aid. In 1938, about 600 Boers were repatriated to South Africa, helped by the South African government and churches.<br />
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The Afrikaans service of SABC Radio broadcast two programmes about the Afrikaners in Argentina, “Springbok op die Pampas” in 1979 and “Van Pampas tot Springbokvlakte” in 1980. In 1991 only two of the original settlers were still alive.<br />
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In 1992, there were approximately 1 000 of Boer descendants left in Argentina. The older descendants still spoke an old version of Afrikaans and surnames such as BOTHA, GRIMBEEK, HENNING, VENTER, VISSER can still be found. They have an annual festival where traditional dance, dress and food are offered. Many of the men have married Argentinean women. They and their children speak Spanish.<br />
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In early 1992, a tour group of 107 South Africans, visited Patagonia for 2 weeks. The visit was organised by Ollie VILJOEN, producer of the SABC-TV’s “Spies en Plessie” programme. The local newspapers, radio and TV took photos and did interviews with the 1992 visitors.<br />
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Amongst the visitors were many descendants of the original Boer settlers. One of them was the widow Johanna VAN DER MERWE (then 83 years old) from Bellville, Cape. She returned to South Africa with her parents in 1938. Johanna was married three times. Two of her sisters were also in the tour group. Her younger sister was born in Comodoro Rivadavia. She lives in South Africa and married a son of Pieter Hendrik HENNING (author of ‘n Boer in Argentina, published in 1942 by Nasionale Pers). He was involved in the repatriation scheme of a large group of Boers in 1938.<br />
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Enrique Carlos GRIMBEEK was born in Argentina but returned to South Africa with his parents. His parents farmed in the Prince Albert area but Henrique soon returned to Patagonia, where he became a wealthy man and married Petronella (Tant Nellie). Together with his two sons, he had a large amount of Merino sheep on the 180 000 acre farm La Begonia. He also provided water and gas to Comodoro Rivadavia. Another business sideline was the oil pumps on his land which produced millions of litres of oil every day. In October 1991, the New York Times interviewed Henrique, then age 79.<br />
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In Sarmiento, a Spanish-speaking shop keeper is a Boer descendant, Martin Sebastian VIVIERS. The local Reformed Church was built by the Boers. Another descendant is Nicholas AYLING who owns El Rancho Grande, the only restaurant in town, and farms sheep on the family farm, Media Luna. His mother is Maria Francina AYLING (maiden name VENTER) and known as Bee. Her grandfather was C.J.N. VISSER from Barkly East, one of the leaders of the trek. A bay north of Comodoro is called Puerto Visser after him. Bee lived in Cape Town during the 1930s and attended Jan van Riebeeck High School. She also attended the laying of the Voortrekker Monument’s corner stone in 1938. When her father died, her mother inherited Media Luna and returned to Argentina with the children. Bee met and married Eric AYLING, a British expat in Buenos Aires. In his book, My Life in Patagonia, Eric describes his Afrikaans bride as "very handy and capable in all moments of trouble".<br />
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Nellie BLACKIE (maiden name VAN WYK) was five years old when she arrived in Patagonia with her parents. She married Enrique BLACKIE (63 years old in 1991) and they had 10 children. They farmed northwest of Sarmiento. In 1992, Nellie was a pensioner and living in Comodoro Rivadavia. In 1992, Hester VAN WYK (then 83) was one of the oldest original settlers.<br />
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In late 1996, Ester Vera Kruger DE PIERANGELI, a Boer descendant, visited South Africa to look for family members. In 1992 she was the wife of Comodoro Rivadavia’s Mayor.<br />
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Today, a <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-boers-at-the-end-of-the-world-boere-op-die-aardsdrempel" target="_blank">documentary feature film</a> is being made to commemorate the 100 years history of the Boers in Argentine.</div>
Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-59674459576541598902013-11-04T18:29:00.001+02:002018-11-11T23:52:41.244+02:00TWO MINUTES OF SILENCE AND POPPY DAY<div style="text-align: left;">
The Two Minutes of Silence on 11 November at the 11th hour was the idea of Sir James Percy FITZPATRICK. He was born in King William's Town in 1862 and died in Uitenhage in 1931, eldest son of James Coleman FITZPATRICK, Judge of the Supreme Court of the Cape Colony, and his wife Jenny, both from Ireland.<br />
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On his father's death in 1880, he left college in order to support his mother and family. In 1884, he went to the Eastern Transvaal goldfields where he worked as store man, prospector's hand and journalist, and as transport-rider. In Barberton, he became editor of the Gold Fields News.<br />
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As a transport rider on ox-wagons he worked on a supply route through the Lowveld, along the Old Delagoa Road, which was used between May and September (the dry disease-free winter months) by transport riders from the Lydenburg Goldfields (Spitzkop, Macmac, Pilgrim's Rest and Lydenburg) to Lourenço Marques. This time of his life, when he was pioneering in the Lowveld, are vividly described in his book Jock of the Bushveld, and served as the setting for many of his Jock's (a Staffordshire Bull Terrier) adventures. It was Rudyard Kipling, a family friend, who persuaded Percy to write the book. A London artist, Edmund CALDWELL, was brought to South Africa to visit the Lowveld and draw the book's illustrations. Percy later became a government official and politician, which led to his involvement in military topics and eventually the Two Minutes Silence on 11 November.<br />
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The silent pause tradition has its roots in Cape Town, and in part with the Noonday Gun on Signal Hill. </div>
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Our own Tannie Mossie (Joan ABRAHAMS of Bloemfontein) wrote a well-researched book in the 1990s about this - "Time from Africa - A two minute silent pause to remember - 11:00 on the 11th of the 11th month." The book also shows the correct silence - one minute for the dead and one minute for the survivors (on 11 November) and one minute for one person or two minutes for more than one person (for other remembrance ceremonies).<br />
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Sir Harry HANDS K.B.E. was the Mayor of Cape Town in 1912 - 1918. He was also the first accountant at Old Mutual. In February 1918 the War Recruiting Committees of the Union of South Africa conference took place at Cape Town's City Hall. As a result, a recruiting drive was begun on 08 April 1918. The drive was inaugurated by church services throughout the city, with the official service held at St George’s Cathedral and attended by Mayor HANDS and the city's councillors.<br />
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Shorty thereafter, Mayor HANDS received a telegram notifying him that his eldest son, Captain Reginald Harry Myburgh HANDS, had died on the Western Front. At the outbreak of the war he joined the Imperial Light Horse and was sent to German South West Africa. He transferred to the South African Heavy Artillery and was posted to the Western Front, where he was seconded to the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was promoted to Captain and became second-in-command of his Battery. During the Germans' final large offensive, begun on 21 March 1918, he was gassed, and died of gas poisoning on 20 April 1918.<br />
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The Mayor was sitting in his office at City Hall with his friend, Councillor Robert BRYDON, when they heard the 11:00 hour stroke of the clock in the Clock Tower. Still in the office, an hour later they heard the Noonday Gun, fired from Signal Hill. Mr. BRYDON then suggested a silent street pause similar to the Angelus prayer tradition observed daily at noon at many churches. The Noonday Gun was suggested as the signal to start the silence.<br />
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On Monday, 13 May 1918 the following was published in the Cape Times newspaper:<br />
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<i>"Pause for three minutes.<br />
In some places in the Union it has been the practice during the past few weeks to call halt at midday in order to direct the minds of the people to the tremendous issues which are being fought out on the Western Front, and to afford a minute or two for silent prayer for the forces of the Allies engaged there.<br />
This seems to be an excellent example to copy. And I now appeal to all citizens to observe the same practice in Cape Town as from tomorrow (Tuesday). Upon the sound of the midday gun all tramway cars will become stationary for three minutes and other trams should halt wherever it may be, for the same period.<br />
Pedestrians are asked to remain standing wherever they may be when the gun sounds and everyone, however engaged, to desist from their occupations and observe silence for this short spell. Employers can greatly assist by advising their staff to this effect. I cannot conceive anything more calculated to bring home to us the critical time through which we are passing and it’s responsibilities for all of us and I hope most fervently that all our citizens will help to make the recognition of the solemnity of the occasion as real as possible.<br />
(Signed) H. Hands<br />
Mayor of Cape Town" </i><br />
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During the first observance, Mayor HANDS stood on Cartwright’s Balcony. Afterwards he decided that 3 minutes was too long, and the following was published in the Cape Argus newspaper on 14 May 1918:<br />
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<i>"His Worship decided that the pause will retain its hold on the people if it is altered to two minutes instead of three, and that this change will not in any way diminish the power of its appeal. Consequently the pause will be two minutes tomorrow, when Bugler BICCARD will again sound ‘The Post’."</i><br />
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This pause was seen by the Reuter’s correspondent in Cape Town, who cabled a report to London. This was distributed all over Great Britain and re-cabled to the other Dominions. Within a few weeks Reuter’s agency in Cape Town received press cables from London stating that the ceremony had been adopted in two English towns and later by others, including towns in Canada and Australia. The observance of the daily midday Two Minute Silent Pause of Remembrance in Cape Town continued until 14 May 1919. Mayor HANDS retired from office at the end of his term in September 1918. On 02 August 1919, he again stood on the balcony of Cartwright’s next to the bugler for the Last Post ceremony during the Peace Celebration.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sir James Percy Fitzpatrick</i></td></tr>
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Sir James Percy FITZPATRICK, author of the classic South African story, Jock of the Bushveld, attended a church service in Cape Town in 1916 where a moment of silence was held for dead soldiers. Mr John Albert EAGAR, a Cape Town businessman, had suggested that the congregation observe a silent pause to remember South Africans lost in battle.<br />
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Sir Percy's son, Percy Nugent George, was a Major in the Union Defence Force. He was killed in France in 1917.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Major P.N.G. Fitzpatrick</div>
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South African Heavy Artillery, 71st Siege Battery</div>
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Died 14 Dec 1917, age 28</div>
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Born in Johannesburg.</div>
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Volunteered on 04 Aug 1914 and served in the Rand Rebellion and German South</div>
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West Africa with the Imperial Light Horse.</div>
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Buried at Red Cross Corner Cemetery, Beugny</div>
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A two minute silence was held in Cape Town on 14 December 1918, a year after Percy Nugent's death.<br />
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When Sir Percy heard that 11 November 1918 was going to be observed as Armistice Day in London, he asked for a two minute silence throughout the British Empire as a tribute to dead soldiers. WWI ended on 11 November 1918 with the guns stopped on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. <br />
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Sir Percy proposed this observance to Lord Northcliffe but was disappointed by his reaction. He therefore approached Lord Milner, who forwarded the proposal to King George V’s private secretary, Lord Stamfordham. On 7 November 1919, The Times of London carried this message from the King: <br />
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<i>"Tuesday next November 11, is the first anniversary of the Armistice, which stayed the world carnage of the four preceding years…it is my desire and hope that at the hour when the Armistice came into force, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, there may be, for the brief space of two minutes, a complete suspension of all our normal activities. During that time, except in the rare cases where this may be impracticable, all work, all sound and all locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect silence, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the Glorious Dead".</i><br />
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Sir Percy was in California on business to look at their citrus industry when he read on 12 November 1919 that the first Two Minutes Silence had been observed in England the previous day. The Times newspaper reported:<br />
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<i>"Throughout the British Empire, from the jungles of India to the snows of Alaska, on trains, on ships at sea, in every part of the globe where a few British were gathered together, the Two Minute Pause was observed".</i><br />
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On 30 January 1920, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick received a letter signed by Lord Stamfordham, the King’s Private Secretary: <br />
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<i>"Dear Sir Percy, The King, who learns that you are shortly to leave for South Africa, desires me to assure you that he ever gratefully remembers that the idea of the Two Minute Pause on Armistice Day was due to your initiation, a suggestion readily adopted and carried out with heartfelt sympathy throughout the Empire”. Signed Stamfordham."</i><br />
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Sir Percy Fitzpatrick was also the prime mover of the project to purchase land from France on which the Delville Wood Memorial was built. He was also chairman of the committee in South Africa which raised funds to build the memorial. One of his first tasks was the replanting of the actual forest, which was accomplished with acorns collected from a tree at Franschhoek, grown from one of six acorns brought from France by a French Huguenot when he fled from France in 1688.<br />
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On 10 October 1926 Sir Harry HANDS attended the special service held in Cape Town, which was timed to synchronise with the ceremony at the unveiling of the Delville Wood Memorial in France. The service was held at the Noonday Guns of the Lion Battery on Signal Hill and was arranged by the South African Heavy Artillery Association.<br />
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The Two Minutes Silence began to be applied to other events too. When Alexander Graham BELL died in 1922, the whole USA phone network observed a two minute silence. In 1995, as part of the 50th anniversary of VE Day, a two-minute silence was held in many Allied countries. The Two Minutes Silence is has been used to mark major disasters, such as September 11. In 2005, a three minute silence was held to pay tribute to the 150 000 people that died in the Asian tsunami.<br />
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<br />
<b>THE RED POPPY</b><br />
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The poppy story goes back to 1915 when a Canadian soldier from Guelph, Ontario, Major John Alexander McCRAE, was serving in France as a doctor during WWI. He initially served at a First Aid Station between Poperinghe and Ypres, where he wrote his now-famous poem.<br />
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The 22-year-old Lieutenant Alexis HELMER took a direct hit from a German shell at Ypres on the Western Front one May morning in 1915. He was buried at sunset. The officer who spoke over his grave as the battle raged around them was his close friend Major John McCRAE. The next day, 03 May, after a night of tending to chlorine gas victims, he looked out from his first-aid post onto a sea of wooden crosses — his friend’s the latest, mingling with the wild red corn poppies that grew there. Then he tore a page from his dispatch book and began to write. In 20 minutes, it was done:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX7S7BmlzM3IjuUt3E3SDQHbR5APsYgoIlR1ToT4B5WlWT-K6mc7f04JmqFGRUKh4UiqSat-nziOLxMqwfsXWeYD5Bd2z6e2V8YBQAsJ6PnsZjaWILZmLmI6qs82_JaPIZ_VhWE7IBqo/s1600/poppy_punch_1918-12-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX7S7BmlzM3IjuUt3E3SDQHbR5APsYgoIlR1ToT4B5WlWT-K6mc7f04JmqFGRUKh4UiqSat-nziOLxMqwfsXWeYD5Bd2z6e2V8YBQAsJ6PnsZjaWILZmLmI6qs82_JaPIZ_VhWE7IBqo/s320/poppy_punch_1918-12-8.jpg" width="288" /></a><i>In Flanders fields the poppies blow</i><br />
<i> Between the crosses, row on row,</i><br />
<i> That mark our place; and in the sky</i><br />
<i> The larks, still bravely singing, fly</i><br />
<i>Scarce heard amid the guns below.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>We are the Dead. Short days ago</i><br />
<i>We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,</i><br />
<i> Loved and were loved, and now we lie</i><br />
<i> In Flanders fields.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>Take up our quarrel with the foe:</i><br />
<i>To you from failing hands we throw</i><br />
<i> The torch; be yours to hold it high.</i><br />
<i> If ye break faith with us who die</i><br />
<i>We shall not sleep, though poppies grow</i><br />
<i> In Flanders fields.</i></div>
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It was first published on 08 December 1915 in the British magazine, Punch. John McCRAE's words were a lament for the sorrow and loss of war, not a glorification of it. They honoured not slaughter but sacrifice, our humanity not inhumanity.<br />
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Later he was appointed as Commanding Officer at the 3rd McGill Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne. He died there of pneumonia and meningitis on 28 January 1918. To honour him, comrades searched fields for poppies to lay on his grave but, in the dead of winter, found none. So they ordered artificial poppies to be made in Paris and woven into a wreath.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span>Lt. Col. John A McCrae</td></tr>
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In 1916 artificial poppies were distributed in England for charity at some venues, such as St. Michael’s War Work Party, in South Shields, in August. The Sleights Red Cross Hospital held a Poppy Day in Whitby to raise funds for their hospital’s war effort. Also in August, there was a Poppy Day in Nottingham to benefit orphans.<br />
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On 09 November 1918, Moina Belle MICHAEL, a professor at the University of Georgia in the USA, was working in the YMCA Overseas War Secretaries’ headquarters during its training conference at Columbia University in New York City. In the Ladies Home Journal magazine that day, she came across McCrae’s poem and was so moved that she vowed to always wear a red poppy in remembrance. That same month she wrote an answering poem in reply, We Shall Keep the Faith:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moina Michael<i><br />
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<i>Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,<br />
Sleep sweet - to rise anew!<br />
We caught the torch you threw<br />
And holding high, we keep the Faith<br />
With All who died.<br />
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We cherish, too, the poppy red<br />
That grows on fields where valor led;<br />
It seems to signal to the skies<br />
That blood of heroes never dies,<br />
But lends a lustre to the red<br />
Of the flower that blooms above the dead<br />
In Flanders Fields.<br />
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And now the Torch and Poppy Red<br />
We wear in honor of our dead.<br />
Fear not that ye have died for naught;<br />
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought<br />
In Flanders Fields.</i> </div>
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She was given $10 by the conference delegates as thanks for her work, and this she spent during her lunch break buying 25 red silk poppies at Wanamaker’s department store. She pinned one to her coat and distributed the rest amongst the delegates, asking them to wear them as a tribute to fallen American soldiers. After returning to the University of Georgia in 1920, she taught a class of disabled veterans. Realising how much support they needed, she thought of selling artificial poppies to raise funds for America’s disabled veterans. She was born in Good Hope, Georgia in 1869, retired in 1938 and lived in Athens, USA, until her death in 1944. By then poppy sales in the USA had raised more than $200-million for the rehabilitation of war veterans. Her autobiography is titled The Miracle Flower: The Story of the Flanders Fields Memorial Poppy (1941).<br />
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By 1918, the poppy's symbolism had increased. Men serving in France and Flanders had been sending picked poppies back to loved ones in their letters. In April 1918 American women gave out poppies in New York after accepting war effort donations.<br />
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In September 1920, the American Legion held it's annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio. Present was a French woman, Anna E GUERIN, representing the American and French Children’s League.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna Guérin, in the 12 June 1918 issue of the Wichita Daily Eagle, Kansas.</td></tr>
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Anna Alix BOULEE was born in 1878 in Vallon, Ardèche, France. She married Paul RABANIT in November 897 in Vallon. He was born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba in 1871. After his mother's death in 1887 in Cuba, his father took the two sons to New York in May 1879. Soon after the marriage, Paul and Anna sailed to the French colony, Madagascar, where they settled in Tamatave. There Anna opened a school in 1899 and ran it until she returned to France in 1909. The couple had two daughters there, Raymonde in 1900 and Renée in 1901. They couple divorced in 1907.<br />
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In October 1910, Anna married Constant Charles Eugène GUERIN in Paris. He was a Judge, and working in Kayes, French Sudan. They had met in Madagascar. After the marriage he returned to Sudan. Anna and her daughters moved to England, where Anna worked as a lecturer for the Alliance Française organisation, lecturing all over the UK.<br />
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In October 1914, Anna left Liverpool for the USA, onboard the Lusitania, arriving in New York. Her daughters remained at boarding school in England with her mother. Her husband was then in Lyon as a French attaché at the World Fair. When WWI broke out, the World Fair was closed down and become part of an official mission to the Congo, after which he enlisted in the French military, until he was sent back to Africa in 1916 on behalf of the French government.<br />
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Anna initially went to the USA as an Alliance Française lecturer. Once there she lectured all over the country at many First World War patriotic drives before the USA entered the war, and became a fundraiser, during and after the war, for the war effort and for France. She lectured in the USA from October 1914 until May 1915, after which she returned to France. By September 1915, she was at the Waldorf Astoria with her daughter Raymonde, when her daughter Renée arrived in the city from Bordeaux. Anna left the USA with her daughters some time after March 1916, as she returned to the Waldorf Astoria in September 1916 from Bordeaux with daughter Raymonde. She returned to France after April 1917 with daughter Raymonde. She was back in the USA in October 1917, joining her sister, Juliette, at the Washington Hotel in New York. Anna continued criss-crossing the USA giving talks at patriotic lectures and raising funds, as can be seen from numerous newspaper reports in the USA. She started selling floral boutonnières in September 1918, raising funds this way for French orphans. She returned to France in November 1918, when her tours were cut short by the Spanish Flu outbreak.<br />
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In France, Anna founded the "La Ligue des enfants de France et d’Amérique" in December 1918, officially setting it up in Paris. It was affiliated to the French government and the poppy was used as its emblem. Through her foundation she organised French women, children and war veterans to make artificial poppies out of cloth. She saw that artificial poppies could be sold as a way of raising money to help the French people, especially orphaned children, who were suffering as a result of the war. She became known as the Poppy Lady of France. In the USA, Anna set up her foundation as the "American and French Children's League" in 1919, having returned to the USA in March 1919. She gave her last residential address in France as Vendeuvre, Calvados. Her husband Eugéne was still working in Sudan, and her daughters were in Vallon with her mother. Her sister Juliette was living in Lincoln, Nebraska. Anna spent the year speaking and fundraising across the USA for the US Victory Loan and French orphans.<br />
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In Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 06 June 1919, a homecoming celebration was arranged for the US 32<sup>nd</sup> Division. A few women volunteers set up a stand selling doughnuts and coffee. One of the volunteers, the widow Mary HANECY, decorated the stand with poppies but the poppies were taken by Americans who left a donation on the counter. The volunteers used that money to help disabled veterans. Mary saw the potential for a fundraiser for the Milwaukee American Legion, and suggested they hold a Poppy Day for Memorial Day. In 1920 on the Saturday before Memorial Day, the American Legion distributed 50 000 poppies. Donations totalling $5000 were received and used for veterans’ rehabilitation. Mary was given a Certificate of Appreciation by the American Legion in 1932.<br />
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Mary Ann CALDWELL was born in 1861 in Milwaukee to Irish parents. She married John Joseph HENNESSEY, a fire-fighter. He died in January 1910 while fighting a fire. The surname gradually changed to HANECY. Mary died on 11 September 1948.<br />
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WWI ended on 28 June 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. Anna continued fundraising tours to raise money for the widows and orphans. In the last four years of the war, she had given more than 500 talks in 30 states, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean nine times. In 1919 she was awarded a U.S. Victory Liberty Loan Medal for her service during the US Liberty Loan campaigns. <br />
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In September 1920, the American Legion held it's annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio. It was here that it became the first of the WWI allied veterans’ groups to adopt the poppy as a remembrance emblem, after Anna was invited to speak about her "Inter-Allied Poppy Day' idea at the conference. For the first US National Poppy Day in 1921, it was agreed all distribution proceeds would go to Anna's foundation work in France.<br />
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After the American Legion officially adopted the poppy, veteran groups of the British Empire nations soon did the same. Anna decided to introduce the poppy to other nations who had been allies of France during WWI. During 1921 she visited or sent representatives to Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Marshal Haig (left), Field Marshal Smuts (centre) and General Lukin (right) in Cape Town, 1921</td></tr>
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Members of veterans organisations in Great Britain, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand came together to form the British Empire Services League in Cape Town on 21 February 1921. Three prominent soldiers, Field Marshall Douglas HAIG, Field Marshal Jan SMUTS and General Henry LUKIN headed this inaugural meeting in the Cape Town City Hall. Field Marshal HAIG went on from this meeting to start what is now known as the Royal British Legion, and Field Marshal SMUTS and General LUKIN went on to start what is now known as the South African Legion. At this conference the Haig Poppy (named after the Field Marshall) was adopted as the official remembrance symbol.<br />
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Anna travelled to Canada, where she met with representatives of the Great War Veterans Association of Canada. This organisation later became the Royal Canadian Legion. The Great War Veterans Association adopted the poppy as its national flower of remembrance on 05 July 1921. <br />
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She visited Field Marshall Douglas HAIG, president of the British Legion, and persuaded him to adopt the poppy as the Legion's emblem in 1921. It was also Anna who suggested that the Legion sell artificial poppies to raise money. The Legion signed on and 1.5 million poppies were ordered for 11 November 1921. The first Poppy Appeal made £106,000. Initially the poppies were made by the French women and orphans, and later a poppy factory was set up in South London. By the end of the 20th century, the British Legion was selling over 32 million poppies per annum.<br />
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Australia adopted the poppy as from 11 November 1921. Anna's foundation sent a million artificial poppies to Australia for the 1921 Armistice Day commemoration. The Returned Soldiers and Sailors Imperial League sold the poppies for one shilling each. Of this, five pennies were donated to Anna's French orphans, six pennies were donated to the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Imperial League and one penny was received by the government.<br />
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In September 1921 Anna sent a representative to the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association (NZRSA).They placed an order for 350 000 small and 16 000 large French-made poppies. Unfortunately the delivery did not arrive in time to for 11 November and the Association decided to hold the first Poppy Day on 24 April 1922, the day before ANZAC Day. The first Poppy Day in New Zealand raised more than £13 000. A proportion of this was sent to Anna's French orphans, and the remainder was used by the Association for support and welfare of returned soldiers.<br />
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In 1922 the American and French Childrens' League was disbanded. Anna left the USA in early 1922 for England and France, continuing her work with poppy campaigns. She was in charge of the 1922 Poppy Day arrangements in Canada, for that November’s commemoration. Most of those poppies was made by unemployed ex-service men in Canada, with the small balance coming from Anna's French widows and orphans. For the 1922 US Poppy Day, Anna asked the American Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to help her with the distribution of her French-made poppies. In March 1923, 2 million French-made poppies were sent to the USA, ordered by the American Legion, for their 1923 Memorial Day poppy drives. Anna was also involved in arranging poppy supplies for Australia and New Zealand until 1927 and 1929 respectively.<br />
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Following the distribution of the French-made poppies in 1922, the VFW agreed in 1923 that American veterans could also benefit from making and selling poppies. From 1924 disabled ex-servicemen started making poppies at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh. Buddy Poppy was registered as a U.S. Patent in February 1924. The Buddy Poppy programme has continued to raise money for the welfare and support of veterans and their dependants. There are now 11 locations where the Buddy Poppies are made by disabled and needy veterans. More than 14 million Buddy Poppies are distributed each year in the United States.<br />
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From 1924 until WWII started, Anna travelled to New York about twice a year from France. In February 1925, Anna was with Juliette in New York when her husband Eugéne arrived on St. Valentine’s Day for a two week holiday. She listed him as her next of kin whilst travelling until November 1935, and in December 1938 she listed her daughter Raymonde as next of kin. It is not known whether Eugéne died or they separated. Anna then opened a French antique business in New York. Her sister Juliette and friend Blanche managed it at least until April 1940, when they are listed in the 1940 US Census at an antiques business at 200 E 60th Street, New York. Anna was in France at the time the US 1940 census was taken, and is travelling from Nazaire on the ship Champlain in 19 May 1940 to New York. She most likely spent the WWII years in the USA. After the war, she left the USA in July 1945 and returned in November 1945 from Le Havre. She did these trips about twice a year. From 1946 to 1956, Anna flew into New York from Paris, instead of sailing, with her address given as 957 3<sup>rd</sup> Avenue, New York.<br />
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Anna died on 16 April 1961 at le Square Charles Dickens 5, Paris, where her daughter Renée lived in one of the apartments above the Musée du Vin. She was 83 years old. History has not always been kind in remembering that it was Anna GUERIN who started the national Poppy Days in the USA and the Allied countries - let us remember her as such, it was her life's work.<br />
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In early 1941 Anna wrote about her work regarding her idea for an "Inter-Allied Poppy Day". This writing about the history of the National Poppy Days was sent to Moina MICHAEL. It is today in the Moina Michael papers held at the State of Georgia Archives. In her writing, Anna mentioned that she had organised Poppy Day in Canada with two ladies, her sister Juliette Virginie BOULLE and Anna’s friend Blanche BERNERON, the widow of Eugène BERNERON. Anna then left them in Canada and travelled to England, Belgium and Italy. She mentioned that she "was sending Colonel MOFFAT to South Africa (Natal), Australia and New Zealand" to organise there. As far as is known, this is the only reference connecting Anna to South Africa. Colonel MOFFAT's ship "Aeneas" stopped in Durban (Port Natal), and later at Cape Town enroute from Melbourne to Liverpool.<br />
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In South Africa, the <a href="http://www.salegion.co.za/index.html" target="_blank">South African Legion</a> still holds a few collections in malls to raise funds to assist in the welfare work among military veterans. They do not sell the poppies but accept donations in return. When you buy a poppy for Remembrance Day, you pay tribute to those who died, and you are helping those who survived and bear the scars of war.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpILA8fbgoQ8yQ_sd7JCVeAWQbb5MkMDBj179yLLjef4O6uAFtvpY1m6vmAva9zR6TXKeSPAlawFh6FM6new8sgLN3-xbtulGdr7Cf1ja-hYpS5WWrax-Rmd-Z3nOzY3qz85P6_kEAuP4/s1600/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpILA8fbgoQ8yQ_sd7JCVeAWQbb5MkMDBj179yLLjef4O6uAFtvpY1m6vmAva9zR6TXKeSPAlawFh6FM6new8sgLN3-xbtulGdr7Cf1ja-hYpS5WWrax-Rmd-Z3nOzY3qz85P6_kEAuP4/s1600/logo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>HOW AND WHEN TO WEAR A POPPY</b><br />
The poppy campaigns usually start two weekends prior to Remembrance Day, 11 November. The poppy can also been worn at the funeral of a veteran or a special occasion connected to veterans.<br />
The most common place to wear a poppy is on the left, over the heart or on the left lapel of one’s jacket. <br />
The leaf of the poppy, if there is one, should be positioned at the orientation of 11 o’clock, to symbolise the 11th hour of the 11 day of the 11th month - the time that World War I formally ended. The red represents the blood of all those who gave their lives, the black represents the mourning of those who lost their loved, and the green leaf represents the grass and crops growing and future prosperity after the war destroyed so much. <br />
The poppy is not for sale, they're distributed and donations of any amount are encouraged in exchange.<br />
If you don't keep your poppy, you can leave it on a veteran's gravestone or on a cenotaph as a sign of respect and honour.</div>
Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-30565739259224474182013-10-26T17:54:00.004+02:002013-10-26T18:03:25.553+02:00THE CURRIE CUP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Reverend Ogilvie</i></td></tr>
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The Currie Cup has been South Africa‘s premier domestic rugby union competition, featuring provincial / regional teams. The Currie Cup is one of the oldest rugby competitions in the world.<br />
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Reverend George “Gog” OGILVIE (born 1826 in Wiltshire, England) is credited with introducing rugby to South Africa, following his appointment as Headmaster of the Diocesan College at Rondebosch in 1861. This game was the Winchester football variety, which the Reverend had learnt during his school days at Hampshire School. The first games were often reported in the local newspapers and featured teams such as “Town versus Suburbs” and “Home versus Colonials”.<br />
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It was at a farewell reception for the British Isles rugby team, which was leaving for a tour of South Africa, that Sir Donald CURRIE (17 September 1825 – 13 April 1909), a British ship owner, handed over what was to become the Currie Cup. The reception was held at the Southampton Docks in June 1891. On the 7th July thanks to the sponsorship of Cecil RHODES, the first British Isles rugby team arrived in Cape Town aboard the Dunottar Castle. They were mainly Scottish and English players captained by the Scottish wing William Edward MACLAGAN (5 April 1858 – 10 October 1926). Their first match was against the club Hamiltons which they won 15-1. The only try by the home team was scored by Charles (Hasie) VERSVELD, brother of Loftus VERSVELD. The Cape Times carried reports.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sir Donald Currie</i></td></tr>
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The first international match in which a South African team played was against the British tourists on the 30th July in Port Elizabeth. The South Africans were captained by Herbert Hayton CASTENS. In 1894 he was also the captain of the South African touring cricket team to England. Herbert was born on the 23rd November 1864 in Pearston, Eastern Cape, and died on 18 October 1929 in Fulham, London. The British beat South Africa 4-0 in that first Test. The 1891 British team won all their matches.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Herbert H. Castens</i></td></tr>
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The golden cup given to the British team was given to Griqualand West during the British team’s farewell reception in September aboard the Garth Castle, but there was no team representative present. Griqualand West were deemed the best opposition team by the tourists. In an early show of typical South African rugby rivalry, Western Province supporters were not happy that Griqualand West was awarded the trophy. They claimed that the hard and grass-less playing field in Kimberley gave them an unfair advantage. <br />
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Sir Donald wanted the cup to become a floating trophy for South African inter-provincial champions. Griqualand West later donated the trophy to the Rugby Board, who made it the prize for the Currie Cup competition. The cup was insured for £40 when it was put on display, shortly after its arrival, in a window shop in Adderley Street. The words “South African Football Challenge Cup” were engraved on the cup.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Undated Currie Cup</i></td></tr>
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Although the cup bears Sir Donald’s name, the competition has its roots in an inter-town competition that started in 1884. By the time the South African Rugby Board was founded in 1889, it was decided to organise a national competition. The first tournament was held in Kimberley and was won by Western Province. The winning team received a silver cup donated by the South African Rugby Board. This cup is on display at the South African Rugby Museum in Cape Town. The cup donated by Sir Donald was competed for from 1892 onwards. The 1892 tournament was played in Kimberley from the 12th – 23rd September. It was won by Western Province. The other teams were Natal, Griqualand West, Border and Transvaal. Christiaan BEYERS, who later became a Boer General, was part of the Transvaal team. <br />
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In the early rugby years there were no Cup finals. The team that finished at the top of the log was declared the champion. In the early 1900s, the Currie Cup was not competed for annually. The first Currie Cup final was played in 1939 at Newlands where Transvaal beat Western Province. The format varied and finals were held intermittently up until 1968. In its early days and until 1920, the tournament lasted a week and was played in one town. The competition was also interrupted by the two World Wars. The first annual Currie Cup final was held in 1968 when Northern Transvaal, featuring Frik DU PREEZ, beat Transvaal.<br />
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Politics was already casting its shadow over South African rugby way back then. In 1895, the 15 British soldiers representing Natal in the Currie Cup tournament had to get permission from Paul KRUGER to enter the ZAR in their uniforms. At this tournament’s official dinner, officials and players made toasts to KRUGER and Queen Victoria. During the 1899 tournament, Western Province, Transvaal and the Free State stayed away because of the Anglo-Boer War. The 1908 Currie Cup tournament, held in Port Elizabeth, was the last one held in Sir Donald’s lifetime.<br />
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In the 1898 tournament, the Transvaal team faced tragedy when their fullback David Gill (Davey) COPE was killed in a train accident at Mosterthoek on 16 August 1898 while on his way to the tournament in Cape Town. A week later another Transvaal player, Boy TAIT, died of injuries sustained in the same accident.<br />
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The Currie Cup is such a big part of South African rugby, that it is not well-known that there were other Currie Cups involving other sports. All the cups were donated by Sir Donald.<br />
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On the 5th January 1808, a cricket match between two teams of English officers took place in Cape Town. In 1862, an annual fixture “Mother Country versus Colonial Born” was staged in Cape Town. In March 1889, the English cricket team played in a Test match against South Africa at Port Elizabeth. Sir Donald sponsored the English team’s tour of South Africa. When the team left England, he gave them a cup to be presented to the best South African team that they faced. As with his request for the rugby cup, the trophy was then to be used in domestic competition. The cup was inscribed with “To the Cricket Clubs of South Africa, 1889?. In 1890 the Kimberley cricket team became the first team to be awarded cricket’s Currie Cup. Cricket’s Currie Cup tournament was later renamed the Castle Cup. When the Wanderers Clubhouse caught fire in 2004, the silver Currie Cup was lost in the fire.<br />
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In 1899 he donated a cup for water-polo tournaments. A year later, Western Province won the first water-polo Currie Cup at the first inter-provincial swimming and water-polo tournament.<br />
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Another Currie Cup was given by Sir Donald to the Cape Town Highlanders.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-75734872256039969582013-08-25T01:42:00.002+02:002013-08-25T15:58:19.419+02:00MUSICIAN MIKE RUTHERFORD'S SOUTH AFRICAN ROOTS Mike RUTHERFORD (62), founding member of Genesis and currently of the band Mike and the Mechanics, has some interesting connections to South Africa. Not only does he own a house in Cape Town's Bantry Bay, but some of his ancestral roots are also in the fairest Cape.<br />
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He was born Michael John Cloete Crawford RUTHERFORD on 02 October 1950 in Guildford, Surrey. His father, William Francis Henry Crawford RUTHERFORD, CBE, DSO (1906 Streatham, London - 1986, Surrey) married Annette Jessie Downing WILSON (1908 Cheshire - 1993, Somerset) in 1937 at Westminster, London. He was involved with the sinking of the Bismarck.<br />
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William was the only son of Colonel Nathaniel John Crawford RUTHERFORD, DSO, MB, RAMC (1874 - 1960, Surrey) and Lilla Roberta JACKSON (1883, Wynberg, Cape - 1979, Hampshire). William joined the Royal Navy in 1920 and served until 1956, retiring as a Captain. Nathaniel served in the Royal Army Medical Corps and was the author of two books, Soldiering with a stethoscope, and Memories of an Army Surgeon.<br />
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Lilla Roberta JACKSON was the daughter of Charles Henry JACKSON (1838, Devonshire, England - 1905, Vredenhof, Wynberg, Cape) and Johanna Reneira Catherina CLOETE (1855, Cape - 1895, Wynberg). Charles married Johanna in June 1874 in Cape Town. He served as a Captain in the 86th Regiment of Foot. They are both buried at St. John's Cemetery in Wynberg.<br />
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Charles and Johanna had the following children:<br />
<ol><li>Anna Augusta born in 1875, died in 1949, married Francis William Cubitt CHIAPPINI</li>
<li>Henry born in 1877</li>
<li>Lucy Arabella Bettina born in 1878, married Frank HARVEY</li>
<li>John Sidney born in 1880, died 1927</li>
<li>Lilla Roberta born in 1883, married Nathaniel John Crawford RUTHERFORD</li>
<li>Dirk Cloete van Alphen born in 1885 at Alphen Farm, Constantia, died in 1976 at Silkaatsnek Farm, Brits. Attended Bishop's Shool in Cape Town. He was a member of the Springbok rugby team that toured the UK in 1906-07. He also played cricket for Western Province and Transvaal. Also known as Dirk Cloete JACKSON.</li>
<li>Charles Goss born in 1888</li>
<li>Munton Francis born in 1890</li>
<li>Raneira Catherina</li>
</ol>Some of the children were baptised at St. John's Anglican Church in Wynberg, where family members are buried in the church's cemetery.<br />
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Johanna was the daughter of Dirk CLOETE (1820, Wynberg - 1894, Wynberg) and Johanna Reiniera Catherina VAN OOSTERZEE (circa 1823 - 1891). Her parents married in March 1843 in Cape Town. Dirk was also known as David. The family lived at Alphen Farm in Constantia.<br />
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The history of Alphen dates back to the early 18th century, when 5 morgen and 200 square roods of garden land were granted to Theunis VAN SCHALKWYK. More land was added over the years, until in 1765 it was consolidated into a single property some 16 morgen in extent. In 1850 Johannes Albertus MUNNIK bought the estate, and after his death in 1854, Dirk CLOETE acquired the estate. <br />
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The Cloete family of Alphen can be traced back to Dirk CLOETE who lived on the farm Nooitgedacht and farmed there until his death in 1833. Dirk's son married Anna Gesina BORCHERDS, and their only son married Reiniera Johanna VAN OOSTERZEE after which they moved to Alphen. Their descendants are known as the Alphen Cloetes. <br />
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Alphen has remained in Cloete family hands for over 150 years and today is owned by The Alphen Trust whose trustees administer the estate for the Cloete family.<br />
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a) Jacob CLOETE arrived at the Cape from Cologne, believed to be in 1652, in the service of the Dutch East India Company. Jacob was one of the first free burghers at the Cape, in August 1657, receiving a farm in October 1657, situated on the Liesbeeck River. A free burgher (vryburgher / vrijburgher) was a soldier or employee of the Dutch East India Company who was released from his contractual obligation to the Company and given permission to farm, become a tradesman or work for another employer. In 1671 he returned to the Netherlands, and later returned to the Cape as a Corporal. He was mysteriously murdered on 23 May 1693 by deserters near the Castle. He was married to Fytje (Sophia) RADEROOTJES, who arrived at the Cape in 1658 from Cologne with her brother Peter.<br />
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b4) Coenraad CLOETE (1663 - circa 1703) married Martha VERSCHUUR in 1693 <br />
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c2) Jacobus CLOETE (born 1699) married Sibella PASSMAN <br />
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d2) Hendrik CLOETE (1725 - 1799) married Hester Anna LOURENS in 1753 <br />
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e8) Dirk CLOETE (1767 - 1833) married first to Sophia Margaretha MYBURGH in 1792, and second to Anna Elizabeth VAN DER BYL in 1800 in Stellenbosch. <br />
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f1) Hendrik CLOETE (1793 - 1838) married Anna Gesina BORCHERDS (1794 - 1870, Stellenbosch)in 1813.<br />
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g2) Dirk CLOETE (1820 - 1894) married Johanna Reiniera Catharina VAN OOSTERZEE in March 1843<br />
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h?) Johanna Reneira Catherina CLOETE (1855, Cape - 1895, Wynberg) <br />
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Johanna Reiniera Catherina VAN OOSTERZEE was the daughter of Dr. Johannes Knockers VAN OOSTERZEE (1793, Cape - 1829, Rotterdam, Netherlands) and Augusta Wilhelmina Magdalena THALMAN (born 1804, Batavia). Johannes was a medical doctor in Cape Town and Leiden. He married Augusta in August 1819 in Cape Town. Johannes' father, Willem Johan VAN OOSTERZEE, was born circa 1765 in Sas van Gent, Netherlands. He was in the service of the Dutch East India Company at the Cape, where he was a merchant and bookkeeper. He married Reineira Johanna Catharina KNOCKERS (born 1762) in June 1789 in Cape Town.<br />
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Mike RUTHERFORD received his first guitar at the age of 8. He was a bassist and backing vocalist with Genesis in the early days, and often played rhythm guitar and twelve-string guitar for the band. In 1977 he became their lead guitarist. He wrote the lyrics to many Genesis songs. He formed Mike and The Mechanics in 1985, and in 2010 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<br />
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Furthering his South African connections, he bought a plot of land in Bantry's Bay from a cousin in 1995, and eventually built a house. He has also ridden the Cape Argus Cycle Tour, and is involved in a music education project with Pieter Dirk-Uys in Darling. Last year he recorded a new version of his song, The Living Years, with Cape Town's Isango Ensemble. He lives mostly in Surrey, England, with his wife Angie. They were married in November 1976 and have three children: Kate, Tom and Harry.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-84209331182438857192012-11-01T11:37:00.003+02:002014-09-28T21:56:55.097+02:00SOUTH AFRICAN GHOSTS AND THEIR HAUNTSWhether you believe in ghosts or not, South Africa has many ghost stories and mysterious happenings to share with you.<br />
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<b>SOMERSET EAST</b><br />
The Somerset East Old Parsonage Museum has a few ghosts. A tall man in a black suit has been seen sitting behind the desk in the study. The light bulb over the desk switches on and off when people enter the room. Heavy footsteps have been heard, descending the staircase. Slow, heavy footsteps have been heard in the upstairs rooms. It is believed that this is the ghost of a church minister. People have reported seeing a little boy in Victorian dress standing in a corner, or running, with a very sad expression. There is a grave under the floor of the room where he has been seen, where the infant son of a church minister was buried. A soldier roams the Walter Battis Art Gallery. It was the Officer's Mess, built during the time of Somerset Farm. It is said that on some nights, one can hear the English officers throwing their glasses into the fireplace. On dark nights, passers-by have reported seeing a man standing at the upstairs window.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQU72xwck5MJL-jYZZliBtpGt7UbkZUnjB-f99abgt9fbi9DosOSvwgmUOjg1LH34oNDPZm6AksUgrVlTWLyeS15izOQ02eA1-7dJghPHEbwrrwjxD2eWVxqChXely-fdit2MX4qY-QUc/s1600/SomersetMuseum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Somerset East Old Parsonage Museum" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQU72xwck5MJL-jYZZliBtpGt7UbkZUnjB-f99abgt9fbi9DosOSvwgmUOjg1LH34oNDPZm6AksUgrVlTWLyeS15izOQ02eA1-7dJghPHEbwrrwjxD2eWVxqChXely-fdit2MX4qY-QUc/s400/SomersetMuseum.JPG" height="266" title="Somerset East Old Parsonage Museum" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><i>Somerset East Old Parsonage Museum</i></span></td></tr>
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<b>KIMBERLEY</b><br />
Kimberley is well-known for its many ghosts. It is said there are 158 haunted houses and buildings with over 200 still to be verified by paranormal experts. The Clyde N. Terry Hall of Militaria, a private military museum, is close to the Honoured Dead Memorial which contains the remains of British soldiers killed during the Anglo-Boer War. An old military trunk in the museum rattles on the floor and moves around while no-one is watching. There is a strong smell of herbs. A baby’s cries can be heard as the lid of a tin trunk mysteriously opens and closes.<br />
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Dunluce, a stately home built in 1897 for the diamond buyer Gustav BONAS, was bought in 1903 by John ORR, one of South Africa's early retail barons. Flickering lights and moving figures are often seen after dark. A woman in a pink period dress is often seen walking through closed doors. The house was originally named Gustav Bonas House or Lillianvale, and renamed Dunluce by John ORR, when he bought it with its fittings and furnishings for 6400. He lived there until his death in 1932, after which his eldest daughter and her family moved in until 1975. Dunluce was purchased by Barlow Rand in 1975, restored and donated to the McGregor Museum. It was used as accommodation for Barlow Rand managers until 1985, and was declared a national monument in 1990. The gardens, maintained by Charlie DZENE for more than fifty years, are often used for wedding receptions and garden parties.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRPZttl2ahh18LKCNUJQRlpmfHjNzDVtdFrZ5T_EL4WOmetIyyPutdL1OmLylE6lpAQIf_RR17_MtcHTc6I379qUh_8OIEqFfGXzcZfk4zS9PEIBr-IlrGVTOm4lKG7oY-ohUGRZaMgw/s1600/Dunluce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dunluce" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRPZttl2ahh18LKCNUJQRlpmfHjNzDVtdFrZ5T_EL4WOmetIyyPutdL1OmLylE6lpAQIf_RR17_MtcHTc6I379qUh_8OIEqFfGXzcZfk4zS9PEIBr-IlrGVTOm4lKG7oY-ohUGRZaMgw/s320/Dunluce.jpg" height="279" title="Dunluce, Kimberley, South Africa" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Dunluce</i></td></tr>
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John ORR established a drapery store in 1885 in Jones Street, Kimberley. In 1892 he married Mary Ellen HARPER. They had five children. He served as Mayor of Kimberley from 1909 to 1910 and again from 1916 to 1918. In 1910 he issued Kimberley Souvenir Cups to celebrate the formation of the Union of South Africa. He was a member of the first Management Board of the Alexander McGregor Memorial Museum, and was founder of the Kimberley Horticultural Society. His business went on to establish branches in Durban, Johannesburg, Benoni, Lourenco Marques and Springs. In 1918 he was awarded an MBE. He died in 1932 in Dublin whilst on holiday with his wife and youngest daughter Mollie. His other daughter, Eileen, married Lionel COOPER, a pharmacist. They lived with her mother at Dunluce after John's death. Elaine died in 1973. The portraits in the drawing room are of Eileen’s daughters, Rosemary (1928 - 1990) and June (born 1934), and June’s sons, Craig and Glenn. The house still contains the fittings and furnishings left by the ORR family, as well as some from the BONAS family. The dining room suffered a direct hit by a Long Tom shell during the Siege of Kimberley, and was severely damaged. The swimming pool is believed to have been the first private swimming pool in Kimberley.<br />
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Rudd House was built on Plot 931 during the late 1880s. Known as The Bungalow, it originally had four rooms. In 1888 the property was occupied by William Henry SOLOMON. In 1896 The Bungalow was transferred to Charles Dunell RUDD, and in 1898 to his son Henry Percy. The house was opened to the public in September 1988. Ghosts have been seen tending the plants in the greenhouse. The ghost of the last owner's son, who committed suicide, is said to pace the garden. In the conservatory an apparition of a governess is said to be visible occasionally through the windows as she tidies the room. Behind the house there are outbuildings, including a garage. Many people have taken a photograph through a gap in the garage door, and later found an unexplained image in the photograph. Some people have heard a baby crying at night in the nursery, and others have heard glass breaking in the pantry. A lady dressed in a white dress is sometimes seen in the sun room on the roof, looking very sad. Sometimes she's seen standing at the tree in the garden. Some have even said she joins visitors in their car when they leave.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQGdVdgxwNYF411kLsnwNM_9IanLfbh-ImtB_ftOGJxbMBRjnWEuDxR6JxIDDwum9tj_21kCsUbsNwioNFQpSOwqRuWOOwOKCpMio876HrmJeKmF-pBJh_ANrjnefT86-olv_FOLeecs/s1600/charlesruddfamilykimberley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rudd House Kimberley South Africa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQGdVdgxwNYF411kLsnwNM_9IanLfbh-ImtB_ftOGJxbMBRjnWEuDxR6JxIDDwum9tj_21kCsUbsNwioNFQpSOwqRuWOOwOKCpMio876HrmJeKmF-pBJh_ANrjnefT86-olv_FOLeecs/s400/charlesruddfamilykimberley.jpg" height="246" title="Charles Rudd and family at Rudd House, Kimberley, South Africa" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Charles Rudd and family at Rudd House</i></td></tr>
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Charles Dunell RUDD was born at Hanworth Hall, Norfolk on 22 October 1844 and died on 15 November 1916 in London, England. He was the third son of Henry RUDD and his first wife, Mary STANBRIDGE. Charles was educated at Harrow and Cambridge. Before he could finish his studies, he moved to South Africa in 1865 on medical advice. He hunted in Zululand with John DUNN, and left for Ceylon before returning to England in 1867. Before the year was over, he returned to Cape Town. In the early 1870s, he worked for his brother Thomas' Port Elizabeth-based trading firm. In 1871 Charles went into partnership with Cecil John RHODES, working diamond claims in Kimberley, dealing in diamonds and operating pumping and ice-making machinery. They ordered Kimberley’s first ice-making machine. Between 1873 and 1881, while Cecil attended college in England, Charles managed their interests. In 1880 they formed the De Beers Mining Company. In 1888 Cecil founded the amalgamated De Beers Consolidated Mining Company. In October 1888 Charles secured an agreement to the mineral rights of Matabeleland and Mashonaland from Lobengula, King of Matabeleland. The agreement became known as the Rudd Concession. Charles remained a director of Gold Fields until 1902, after which he retired to Scotland, buying the Ardnamurchan estate in Argyll. Here he built Glenborrodale Castle. He loved salmon fishing on the River Shiel, grouse shooting and deer stalking on the estate. He had a steam yacht called The Mingary, anchored in Glenborrodale Bay. He died in 1916 after an unsuccessful prostate operation in London. His grave at Archaracle Church is marked by a tombstone. He was the anonymous donor of GBP200 000 for the erection of new buildings at the Mount Vernon Hospital. Rudd Drive in the suburb of Ernestville is named after him.<br />
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Charles married Frances Georgina Leighton CHIAPPINI on 05 February 1868 at St George's Anglican Cathedral in Cape Town. She was born circa 1847 in Cape Town, the daughter of Edward Lorenzo CHIAPPINI and Anna Catherine Margaretha GIE. Frances died on 10 September 1896 at Sheildaig Lodge, Gairstock, Scotland. They had four children - Henry Percy born on 05 December 1868, Franklin Martin born in 1870, Charles John Lockhart born on 12 March 1873, and Evelyn Lily born about 1881 who married Sir John Eldon GORST. In 1898 Charles married his second wife, Corrie Maria WALLACE, eldest daughter of R.E. WALLACE of Kimberley. Her father was Charles' partner in the machinery company.<br />
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Henry Percy was baptised on 10 January 1869 at St Paul's Church in Rondebosch. He was known as Percy. In 1898 he owned The Bungalow. He married Mabel BLYTHE, daughter of Captain BLYTH, in 1893. They had two sons and two daughters. Their son, Bevil Gordon D’Urban RUDD, was born in 1894. Bevil was a Rhodes Scholar from St. Andrew’s, Grahamstown, and in 1920 he won the 400m sprint for South Africa at the Antwerp Olympics, and later worked as a sports journalist at The Daily Telegraph. He married Ursula KNIGHT. They lived at The Bungalow until 1930. Their son, Bevil John Blyth RUDD, the eldest of four children, was born in the house on 07 April 1927. He was known as John. Bevil senior died in the house in 1948.<br />
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John died on 31 August 2009 in Worcester, South Africa. John and his younger brother Robin were sent to Eton. After attending Sandhurst, where he won the Sword of Honour, John was commissioned into the Coldstream Guards. He served for two years in Palestine and was injured in the Irgun attack on the King David Hotel in 1946. Invalided out of the Army with osteomyelitis in 1949, he became personal assistant to Sir Ernest OPPENHEIMER. He joined Sailor MALAN's Torch Commando which in 1951-2 opposed the disenfranchising of Coloured voters. John achieved prominence in May 1961, when the South African police raided his home, Mingary, in Bryanston and found him in bed with Dorothy TIYO, a 21-year-old snake dancer in the African musical King Kong. They were arrested under the Immorality Act, which prohibited relationships across the colour line. The magistrate, Mr. GUSH, sentenced them to six months in jail, and John served four months. Afterwards John worked for the De Beers group in London, sent there by Harry OPPENHEIMER. After two years in New York (1966-68) he spent a decade as head of industrial diamonds for Asia-Pacific, based in Japan. He edited De Beers' magazine, Indiaqua. He married Tessa Marie-Louise LAUBSCHER in 1954, but this ended in divorce in 1958. In 1966 he married Anna KLINGLUND, daughter of Swedish diplomat Karl Ake KLINGLUND, with whom he had a son. They divorced in 1977. Back in South Africa and retired from Anglo American, he became director of Benguela Concessions which mined offshore diamonds on the Atlantic coast. He owned a wine farm in Franschhoek and a five-star guest house in the Karoo.<br />
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Percy lived at The Bungalow until 1954, when he moved to St. James in Cape Town. In 1933 he married Emilie Stephanie POOLE, of Evilly, France. She was a former companion to Mabel RUDD. Upon his death at St James on 12 September 1961, Percy left the house to Emilie, who lived there until her death in 1963. She left The Bungalow to her sister and brother in France, who auctioned off the furniture and contents. They were not able to sell the house and it stood empty until 1968, when it was bought by De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd and donated to the McGregor Museum. Today the house has 22 bedrooms. Percy is said to haunt the former sick room. The servants’ quarters have at least six ghosts. Dr. P.K. LE SUEUR, a Scotsman who has studied the house for many years, has noted orbs of light that appear in photos taken in the house. Haunted North America Investigations, which does investigations world-wide, placed Rudd House on 12th spot in a list of the 25 most haunted places.<br />
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The Kimberley Club has a haunted top floor, where an elderly man is sometimes seen moving along the corridor. A ghostly waiter serves in the dining room, and a woman in period dress stands on the staircase. Wealthy philanthropist Joe VAN PRAAGH insisted on building a private bathroom when he resided at the club. His presence is sometimes felt in the reading room on the first floor.<br />
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At the old Main Cemetery many apparitions have been seen at night. In the old De Beers offices, with Rhodes's chair, wheelchair and other items, meetings have been interrupted by windows and doors opening on their own. Lights swing mysteriously as a ghost walks by. On the veranda, a ghost dog is heard howling. A ghost rides the elevator in De Beers House.<br />
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The ghost of the first Librarian, Bertrand DYER, walks around the Africana Library. He drank arsenic in 1908 after he was found doctoring the accounts. Visitors have seen books crashing to the floor, and heard teacups tinkling at 11am and 4pm. The story goes that it took over three days for him to die. He is seen in his Victorian clothing, pacing the halls of his beloved library. Often books are rearranged or moved and the only clue to their mobility is the sound of hastily retreating footsteps. The librarians say that if they ever need to find a book, they ask him and the book will suddenly fall off the shelf. The Library, now the Africana Museum, was built in 1882 and has a wrought-iron gallery, spiral staircase and chandeliers. Bertrand arrived in 1900 from the United Kingdom where he had worked for the Queen's library.<br />
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The McGregor Museum was originally the Kimberley Sanatorium, opened in 1897 as a health resort for people with chest problems. In 1933 it was let to the Sisters of the Holy Family who used it as a convent. The convent closed in 1969, but a ghost of one of the nuns haunts the administration section, roaming the corridors in a flowing white habit.<br />
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<b>MAGERSFONTEIN</b><br />
The Magersfontein Anglo-Boer battlefield has a ghostly Scottish piper and the flickering lanterns of the stretcher-bearers can be seen. A Celtic Cross memorial, dedicated to the dead of the Highland Brigade, sits atop Magersfontein koppie. December 1899 - a British relief column advanced along the Cape railway line and in three earlier clashes, forced the Boer commandos to pull back. The Boers planned to make a stand at Magersfontein, but instead of defending from the heights of the koppie, as the British assumed they would, they dug camouflaged trenches around its base. For two days, the British poured artillery fire on the hill. At dawn on 11 December, the Black Watch advanced in massed ranks. They were 400 metres from the hill when the Boers opened fire. They died while the bagpipers played on. The Highland Brigade commander, Major General A.G. WAUCHOPE, was among the first to die. The Gordon Highlanders were sent, only to suffer a similar fate. All day the wounded lay out in the field and were picked off by snipers. Eventually confused orders led to the troops retreating. Casualties lay on the battlefield all night although stretcher bearers ventured out with lanterns to rescue those they could. A truce was called the next day. The Highland Brigade lost 202 soldiers, and 37 soldiers from the guards and other units were killed. More than 660 British troops were wounded. The Boer forces lost 87 men, including 23 Scandinavian volunteers. Marta VAN SCHALKWYK has run the Bagpipe Lodge and Cafe on the hill for the past 30 years. Her son has seen the ghosts, men with rifles marching forward.<br />
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<b>OVERBERG</b><br />
Henry the ghost has been around Houw Hoek Inn for over 40 years. He is often seen downstairs around reception, in rooms three and four (now used as store rooms) and in the passage on the first floor. In the early days, the sound of footsteps and doors opening were heard coming from the first floor although no one was booked into these rooms. When telephones were installed in the rooms, a call would come in from one of the rooms upstairs or the telephone would ring in the room with no calls going through the switchboard. When televisions were introduced, they would switch on and off on their own. The last person to have seen Henry was Ronnie, a manager between 1988 and 1992, who died about 10 years ago. In the late 1970s, a lady sitting in the lounge started sketching a man standing close to her, but the man vanished before she could finish. When the drawing was shown to the owner's wife, Mrs MCENTYRE, she recognised him as the farmer Henry, a regular who committed suicide on his way home from the inn one night. One of the waiters, Sakhumzi (Sakkie) NDONDO, had a strange experience about six years ago during his first night duty. He locked the back door to the veranda and then sat by the fire in the lounge. He heard a door opening and footsteps on the wooden staircase. Upon investigating, he found the back door wide open. About three months later, he was on duty again when he walked out of reception to the bar next to the staircase. The lights on the staircase and the passage upstairs went off. As the only light-switch was upstairs, he went upstairs to investigate and switched the lights on again. On hearing noises coming from one of the empty rooms he went to look. As he walked down the passage, the lights in the communal bathroom went on and off again. Reaching the room where the noises were coming from, he found the door open and the TV and lights on. He switched off the lights and the TV, and the passage lights went off. That was his last night duty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2mi6eldvsPbVM5ZTkafpRo7f0B80LSiW04ETCs02_J8RFqBZ_Xkvtf6dhQXu6WhfqeGV60Iz0G7Vaj0JNzjsH7wbV-tOFmdJDRxuP4-bUqLInxQimVvNGxRv6Xkgue62CCA3HoNEnR0/s1600/HouwHoekInn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Houw Hoek Inn" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2mi6eldvsPbVM5ZTkafpRo7f0B80LSiW04ETCs02_J8RFqBZ_Xkvtf6dhQXu6WhfqeGV60Iz0G7Vaj0JNzjsH7wbV-tOFmdJDRxuP4-bUqLInxQimVvNGxRv6Xkgue62CCA3HoNEnR0/s320/HouwHoekInn.jpg" height="320" title="Houw Hoek Inn, South Africa" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Houw Hoek Inn, with the old blue gum tree</i></td></tr>
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The Houw Hoek Inn is one of South Africa's oldest country inns. Its history goes back to Lady Anne BARNARD's days. Anne LINDSAY was born in Scotland in December 1750. She moved to London, where she met and married Andrew BARNARD in 1793. He became the Colonial Secretary in Cape Town, and the couple arrived there in March 1797. On 05 May 1798, accompanied by wagons and eight horses, the couple set off on a month's leave. It took five hours over the sandy Cape Flats to reach Meerlust, the farm of Mynheer MYBURGH. Another four hours later, they reached De Bos, the farm of Captain MORKEL, where they spent the night. The next day, after an hour's travel they reached the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Going over the mountains along the tracks left by previous travellers, they reached the site of the Houw Hoek Inn, where a Dutch East Indian Company tollgate had been erected. They spent the night on the farm Arieskraal, belonging to Arie Jacob JOUBERT, where supper consisted of "boiled chicken fit for an emperor." The ground floor was erected in 1779. Over the years, the Houw Hoek Inn remained a popular overnight stop situated on the High Road to Grahamstown. Sir Lowry's Pass was opened in 1830, and Houw Hoek Pass was upgraded. The inn was licensed in 1834, making it the oldest licensed inn in South Africa. The upper level was added in 1860. In 1861 Lady Dulcie Duff GORDON stayed there en-route to the Caledon Spa. The proprietor then, and at least since 1848, was a German former missionary, Mr BEYERS. He had five sons and two daughters. In 1848, a daughter, Maria Gertrude, was born and her father planted a blue gum tree to commemorate the birth. The tree still guards the entrance to the inn. Maria married a Scotsman, Walter MCFARLANE, who became co-owner of the inn. The Houw Hoek Inn remained in MCFAELANE hands until they moved to Hermanus, where Walter and Valentine BEYERS built the Marine Hotel in 1902. Walter was the first Mayor of Hermanus. Walter's grandson, Valentine MCFARLANE, lives in Stanford. There is the story of a young man who was on his way abroad and left a bank note on the ceiling in the bar so that on his return he could buy a drink. The tradition continued and there is a collection behind glass. In 1902, the railway to Caledon was opened. The train stopped briefly at the Houw Hoek Inn and meals were served to the passengers on the platform. In the early 1900s, the inn was owned by Anne KAPLAN and her husband.<br />
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One of the early settlers in the Overberg was Johannes Jacobus TESSELAAR. He was born in 1748, the son of a German cook at the Cape, Johann TESSELAAR and his wife, Johanna Catharina SMUTS. He became a Lieutenant in the Cape Cavalry. For his military service, he received two farms in the Overberg - Hartebeestrivier and Steenboksrivier - from Governor Willem Adriaan VAN DER STEL. In 1783 he was one of the officials involved in salvaging the Nicobar which stranded near Quoin Point. By 1797 he owned five farms, 14 male slaves, four female slaves, 125 horses, 60 cattle and 505 sheep. He married Aaltje (Alida) VAN DER HEYDE in 1774. They did not have any children. He died in 1810 and she died in 1832. His 1804 will stipulated that the farm Hartebeestrivier be left to the BREDNKAMP boys and HEYSENBERG sisters. His 1809 will added the GERTSE brothers and KOERT to this bequest. It is believed that some of the heirs were from his relationship with a woman of mixed race. The nine who inherited were the twins Barend and Jan Frederik BREDENKAMP, Joggom KOERT, Gert and Jan GERTSE, Alida HEYSENBERG, Christina HEYSENBERG, Elizabeth HEYSENBERG, and Aletta HEYSENBERG. The BREDENKAMP brothers and their children were assimilated into the White community. The GERTSE, KOERT and HEYSENBERG people were regarded as Coloureds. Joggom KOERT married Alida HEYSENBERG, and their descendants still live on part of the farm. Genealogical research on these families has been done by the Caledon Museum.<br />
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When he died, Aaltje was left with an estate that included jewellery, 38 servants and 150 horses. She continued farming at Steenboksrivier with wheat and barley. In her last will Aaltje stipulated that the slaves be freed and all those under the age of 15 be educated. Hartebeesrivier was used for sowing and grazing. It was informally exchanged or transferred amongst the families and their descendants. By the early 1900s, a Dutch Reformed Church mission, an Anglican church and a primary school were established on the farm. Hartebeestrivier became Teslaarsdal, said to be the Cape’s most hidden village, among the mountains between Caledon, Napier and Hermanus. The farm eventually became a land claim court case in 1971 with 87 Coloured and 41 White people claiming rights. The case was still on the go in 1982 and as late as 2004. One of the claimants was Clemens REYNOLDS. His maternal grandmother was the granddaughter of the twin Jan Frederik BREDENKAMP. Clemens' mother was Hester REYNOLDS and his father Jan NIGRINI, who was married to Hester's mother and her step-father. Hester was 17 when Clemens was born. She later married Coena VAN DYK.<br />
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After Aaltje's death, Steenboksrivier was passed to Johannes' nephew, also Johannes Jacobus TESSELAAR. He married Cornelia in Stellenbosch. Upon their return to the farm, a feast was held, attended by the bywoners, tenants, neighbours and friends. One of the guests presented the bride with a large bouquet. She smelt the flowers and promptly fainted, and the strange guest disappeared. Once revived, Cornelia refused to speak about the incident. As time went by, the couple received fewer and fewer visitors. Farming became disastrous. The couple were childless. Johannes died in Cape Town in 1869. Dr. James Ross HUTCHINSON, a Scot, bought the farm and renamed it Dunghye Park. The locals called it Donkiespad. The next owner was Thys DE VILLIERS. A crying baby can be heard in the old farm house, the outbuildings and around the yard. Thys decided to dig up the area. A child’s skeleton was found, and after a proper funeral was held, the crying stopped.<br />
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Ratelrivier, originally known as Buffeljagt aan de Ratelrivier, was loaned out to Matthys LOURENS in 1745. A loan farm was land that leased grazing rights to farmers, usually for a year, and was not registered in the farmer's name but remained government property. On 16 June 1831 Hans Jacob SWART, age 45, became the first registered owner of the farm. When he died in 1835, his widow Catharina Elizabeth (maiden name MOOLMAN) continued farming with her sons and slaves. She was a harsh woman, punishing any slave who did wrong by burying hi in sand with only the nose sticking out. One fatal day, she forgot a buried slave for four days. By the time he was pulled from the sand, close to death, he had placed a curse on Ratelrivier. In the late 1860s, Dirk Gysbert van Reenen VAN BREDA bought the farm. He was also a member of the Legislative Council of the Cape Colony’s first elected Parliament and a Cape Town municipal commissioner. His two sons, Dirk Gysbert junior and Pieter Johannes Albertus, were known for their violent tempers, heavy drinking and abusive behaviour towards slaves and their own wives. Barely six months after their father’s death, had they both killed their wives.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><i>Jacoba Alida MORKEL</i></span></td></tr>
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Dirk Gysbert junior was a brewer in Cape Town. His first wife, Ellen, died in 1855 after the birth of their first child. Eighteen months later he married the 15-year old Jacoba Alida MORKEL, daughter of a wealthy butcher, Pieter Loret MORKEL. They had seven children. On 30 July 1865, Dirk Gysbert junior was declared insolvent and his father appointed him manager of Ratelrivier. The farm was profitable and the family had a housekeeper, a governess for the children, a cook and many servants. They often entertained guests at dinner dances and hunting parties. According to one of Dirk Gysbert's daughters, Susanna Petronella Hendrina, her parents were not on good terms at the time of her mother’s death. Eight days before her death there was a party at which there were Scotchmen. Her mother danced with a Mr. MCMILLAN. During the party Dirk Gysbert junior went outside and returned with a razor, looking for his wife. She tried to evade<br />
him, but got hold of her and assaulted her in front of Susanna. On 21 March 1871 while having supper, her father continued his quarrel with his wife about her dance. He grabbed a revolver and in the ensuing struggle a shot went off. The children called the farm manager, Jurie GERMISHUIS, and Dr. ALBERTYN from Bredasdorp was sent for. Jurie helped his employer get rid of the revolver. Jacoba died early on the morning of 22 March before the doctor arrived. Legend has it that the dying Jacoba left a bloody handprint on the passage wall, which subsequent farm owners could not erase. The doctor did not do an autopsy, believing her death to be an accident. The Cape Supreme Court dismissed the death as an accident. Three years later, Dirk Gysbert junior attacked a servant, who then filed a complaint against him. His wife's case was re-opened and Susanna was called as a witness. On 06 May 1874 Dirk Gysbert junior pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, but was found guilty of culpable homicide. He was sentenced to five years hard labour. He died in 1901, a poor man. Seventeen days after Jacoba's death, Dirk Gysbert junior's brother, Pieter Johannes Albertus, a doctor in Fort Beaufort, stabbed his wife to death.<br />
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Baardskeerdersbos used to belong to the Stanford Congregation. The land was donated by one of the congregation members, Aunt Luitjie, on the condition that it would only be used for services. The building was completed in 191. Soon afterwards the young people organised a meeting of the Young Men and Women’s Christian Association in the hall one evening. Aunt Luitjie was not pleased and predicted that, like Jericho, the walls would come tumbling down. Three years later, after heavy rainfall, the roof and walls of the cursed building collapsed. The church hall was later rebuilt. Aunt Luitjie passed away. One night the church bells suddenly started to ring at midnight. The residents came out but saw no one. Every fourteen nights thereafter, the bell rang at midnight for months. Then it suddenly stopped. Years later a retired farmer and a Colonel were sitting in front of a local shop one day. Having found jobs elsewhere, before they left they had a party and later decided to go ring the church bell. Before they could do so, the bell started to ring. Instantly sober, they hid away. Up in the ridge of the roof above them, the bell kept ringing, without a rope.<br />
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<b>POTCHEFSTROOM</b><br />
Flickering lights, knocking at the door, the ice machine switching on and off, condiments from all the tables mysteriously all landing up on one table only, and a tap on the shoulder are some of the strange happenings that waiters have experienced since the Longhorn opened its doors on the corner of Lombard Street and Mooirivier Drive in 1988. It is said that Jurie SCHOEMAN’s ghost is responsible for the closure of six restaurants near his grave. Six restaurants have come and gone on the River Walk corner, even though the site is perfectly situated to attract passing trade from the N12 Treasure Route. According to Rob SCHOEMAN, his father, Jurie, owned the site where River Walk Shopping Centre now stands. He bought it in 1951 for 10000 pounds. When Jurie died in 1982 his ashes were buried on the same corner. His granddaughter, Kay’s ashes were added alongside his in 1988. In 1979 the family built the Checkers Centre. The adjacent restaurant premises were built in 1988 and occupied by Longhorn. In 1989 it burned down under mysterious circumstances. The restaurant was rebuilt as Mike's Kitchen. It did well until it was sold after 1995. It eventually closed after the new owners were liquidated. Shortly after the Checkers Centre was sold in 1995, Mike’s Kitchen became Food Construction Company. The owner sold to his brother, and went on to own four Spar franchises in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Towards the end of 1999, the restaurant became a MacRib franchise, and was sold within three years. It was followed by Saddles, until that was liquidated in 2009. A Keg and Mulligan was opened, closing down in 2011. Rob SCHOEMAN recalls that as a young child in the early 1950s, his grandparents owned the old Potchefstroom Cheese Factory where Toyota is now.<br />
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<b>CAPE TOWN</b><br />
The Western Cape Premier's official residence, Leeuwenhof, has its own ghosts. Sometimes the lights mysteriously go on after they were switched off. There are also the sounds of someone walking in the corridors. One of the stories is about a young woman who committed suicide after she had a child with someone who did not have her parents' approval. Those who have seen her on the teak stairs, say she will give you the baby if she likes you. She is dressed in white, has brown hair and blue eyes. An older woman is said to haunt the ground floor sitting room.<br />
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The Castle of Good Hope is the country's oldest building, built between 1666 and 1679. It was already occupied in 1674. The Castle is said to be one of the 100 most haunted places in the world. It has many apparitions, of which Governor Pieter Gysbert VAN NOODT is one of the most infamous. During his time as the Governor of the Cape in the 1720s, he enforced strict discipline and ruthless punishments for soldiers who disobeyed him. After the execution of seven soldiers who had tried to escape in 1729, he was found dead in his chair in his room with a look of horror on his face. The chair is in the Koopmans-De Wet Museum. No cause of death was found, a heart attack was suspected. He is said to still haunt the Castle. The soldiers were unjustly condemned to death, after the Governor overturned the Council's more lenient sentence. He also haunts Rust-en-Vreugd in Buitenkant Street. It is said to be linked to the Castle by a secret passage. The ghost of a woman appears at an upstairs window, next to a ghostly cot, watching for the return of a seafaring lover. A floating woman in a long dress has been seen on the ground floor, and an invisible hand taps people on the shoulder. Mysterious footsteps are heard. The house, now a museum, was built in 1777.<br />
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The Donker Gat is a windowless dungeon that also served as a torture chamber. During winter rains, the water rose three feet in there, drowning some of the convicts who were chained to the dungeon walls. The Zulu King Cetewayo was imprisoned in the Castle, along with some of his wives. In 1915, an unidentified two-metre tall figure was seen on the Castle's battlements. It was seen again in 1947 over a period of weeks. It walked between the Leerdam and Oranje bastions. This may be the same ghost who rings the Castle bell from time to time, since a guard hanged himself with the bell rope hundreds of years ago. A large black dog also haunts the Castle, leaping at visitors but vanishing at the last moment. In the Buren bastion, lights are switched on and off by themselves. Near the guard room, the voices of an unseen man and woman have been heard arguing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvjCa1bc-N4p60RJbMZukJ3Tss-Nt_20nW5gcjHQWf35gjkq1TQb2gy2d4BXG27ZS8eOAzaSErcQlnerX3ohWn56fQaAZRCEe11Mu398RK08-RzPBnWRnjjj5B-TRc9y1bpt70P_4GDw/s1600/LadyAnneBarnard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lady Anne Barnard" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvjCa1bc-N4p60RJbMZukJ3Tss-Nt_20nW5gcjHQWf35gjkq1TQb2gy2d4BXG27ZS8eOAzaSErcQlnerX3ohWn56fQaAZRCEe11Mu398RK08-RzPBnWRnjjj5B-TRc9y1bpt70P_4GDw/s320/LadyAnneBarnard.jpg" height="320" title="Lady Anne Barnard" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><i>Lady Anne Barnard</i></span></td></tr>
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Lady Anne BARNARD sometimes appears at parties in the Castle. In the late 18th century, she lived at the Castle as the colony's First Lady. The Governor, Lord Macartney, had left his wife in Britain, and he lived outside the Castle, leaving the Colonial Secretary and his wife to do the entertaining. She made the large hall of the Kat residence into a ballroom, which was used for that purpose until the South African Army vacated the Castle in recent years. Her curly-haired ghost appears at parties held in honour of important visitors. Lady Anne's drawing room in the Castle has, above the fireplace, a cursed painting. Anyone who moves it will die, or so it is said. It is a picture of peacocks in a garden. Peacocks are symbols of Juno, wife of Jupiter. The Trojans found it dangerous to offend Juno. During World War II, the painting was covered with a canvas. Some have said that a treasure of the Dutch East India Company is hidden behind the painting. Others have said that it hides a secret passage leading to Government House (now called Tuynhuys). Lady Anne's ghost also appears at the Dolphin Pool, where she bathed. She also haunts the bird bath at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The pool was built after she left the Cape. It is said that she bathed at the spring where the pool is located. Lady Anne was in her forties when she arrived at the Cape. She was very pretty, and her husband, whom she had married four years before arriving at the Cape, was 12 years younger than her. She had travelled to the colony's interior. After her the Castle, she moved to the cottage Paradise, in Newlands. The foundations of the cottage can be seen in Newlands Forest. Later she moved to the house Vineyard, also in Newlands. This is now the Vineyard Hotel, and has a fine display of Lady Anne's illustrations.<br />
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A lady in grey haunts both the Castle and Tuynhuys. At the Castle she was seen weeping with her hands covering her face. She may be connected with a woman's skeleton which was unearthed near one of the Castle's old sally gates. During the Royal Tour of 1947, the Royal Family stayed in Tuynhuys, and Princess Elizabeth celebrated her 21st birthday there. During the Royal stay, the ghost was seen by several people. By 1949 the ghost had not been seen since the skeleton was discovered. Also at Tuynhuys is a portrait of Governor Lord Charles Somerset, which causes dogs to bristle and snarl.<br />
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Verlatenbosch on Table Mountain has the ghost of a Governor's son who was maliciously infected with leprosy and forced to live and die alone in a cabin on the mountain. A vengeful citizen who held a grudge against the Governor, tempted the boy into using a flute that had been used by an old leper. When evening falls, the haunting sounds of this flute can be heard.<br />
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In 1641 the Flying Dutchman, a Dutch ship, was getting close to rounding the Cape of Good Hope after a difficult voyage to the East. The crew were desperate to get home. No one took note of the slightly stronger wind and ominous clouds. Before the lookout could shout a warning, the ship had sailed into an intense storm. The crew begged Captain Hendrik VAN DER DECKEN to turn back, but he refused, uttering a blasphemous curse he vowed to round the Cape even if he had to keep sailing until Doomsday. The terrified crew caused mutiny on board, and the Captain killed the instigator, throwing his body overboard. As the body hit the water, a ghostly figure appeared on the deck and condemned the Captain's stubbornness before being shot by the Captain. The figure cursed the Captain and his crew to sail the oceans for all eternity, enduring hardship and bringing death to all those who cross their path. Ever since, ships have reported sightings of a ghostly ship and some have been led astray to be crushed against unseen rocks.<br />
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The most famous Royal Navy sighting of the Flying Dutchman was recorded by King George V, who in 1881 was a midshipman on HMS Bacchante. In his diary of 11 July, he wrote "At four a.m., the Flying Dutchman crossed our bows." The lookout on the forecastle, and the officer of the watch, also saw the ghost ship off the port bow. Prince George described "a strange red light, as of a phantom ship, all aglow in the midst of which light the mast, spars and sails of a brig two hundred yards distant stood out in strong relief as she came up." The ghost ship was sighted from other ships in the squadron, the Cleopatra and the Tourmaline. Thirteen crewmen reported seeing the ship. The squadron was commanded by Prince Louis of Battenberg, great uncle of the present Prince Philip. The seaman who first reported the ghost ship died from a fall, seven hours afterwards. Prince George published his account as The Cruise Of H.M.S. Bacchante.<br />
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Keepers of the Cape Point lighthouse often reported seeing her during storms. In 1835, Robert Montgomery MARTIN, South Africa's first statistician, described a personal encounter with the ship. In 1879, the steamer SS Pretoria changed course, after the passengers and crew saw lights which they thought to be a distress signal. A strange sailing ship was seen, but it vanished when the steamer approached it. In 1959, the crew of the freighter Straat Magelhaen reported a near collision with the Flying Dutchman.<br />
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Another ghost Dutch East Indiaman that haunts the Cape is the Libera Nos. Captain Bernard FOKKE and his crew are often mistaken for the Flying Dutchman.<br />
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Many South African children remember the saying: "Be good or Antjie Somers will get you". Antjie Somers was said to be a slave who worked herself to death and came back to avenge her hard life. She tormented those who did her wrong. She is also often described as a man in women's clothes, with a hare lip and really bad teeth. At night, when husbands are away, Antjie plunders a house and kills the children. Pretending to be a woman in need of a lift, it attacks and robs travellers. Apparently there were two outlaws in the early nineteenth century, one known as Antjie Somers and the other as Antjie Winters. The legend of Antjie Somers began in Tuinstraat (now Queen Victoria Street) in central Cape Town. Near the top of the street was a dark area with many trees, where the Dutch colony's last executioner hanged himself. The executioner was paid a fixed amount for hanging the bodies of suicides on the gallows. His livelihood was ruined when the new British Governor banned torture and cruel punishments. In the 1840s the same area became the haunt of a ghostly man in women's clothing. It became known as Annetjie, and as it appeared mostly in warm weather, the surname Somers was added.<br />
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Bellevue in the grounds of St. John's Hostel near Upper Kloof Street has a kitchen where some children were said to have been hidden to save them from slaves trying to harm them.<br />
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Waterhof in Hof Street, Gardens has a ghost dog that searches the ground for buried treasure. The ghost of a bearded old man roams the house at night, and the story of children hidden in an oven, to escape murderous slaves, has also been associated with this house.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Tokai Manor</i></td></tr>
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Tokai Manor was completed in 1796 and in the early 1800s was owned by Hendrik Oswald EKSTEEN. Hendrik and his son were both fond of entertaining and New Year's Eve was an especially big night at Tokai Manor. The house's high veranda and its twin flights of steep steps would overflow with guests. One night, Hendrik's son, Frederick or Petrus Michiel who was prone to bragging, was deep into describing what a fine rider he was when someone urged him to prove it. The dare required him to ride his horse up the steep steps, onto the veranda and into the dining room. Petrus completed the task without too much difficulty, but as he began to celebrate, the horse bolted, slipping on the steep steps and they plunged to their deaths. News Year's Eve remains a frightening time to be in Tokai Manor. Drunken laughter and the neighing of horses can often be heard. Some even claim to have heard the sounds of thundering horse hooves and a sudden, high-pitched whinny before the air falls silent. The only tangible evidence left of Petrus and his horse is one solitary hoof print ingrained in the dining room floor.<br />
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Hiddingh House in Newlands Avenue has lights that turn on and off by themselves. A young lady has been seen here. It had been the officer's mess of a cavalry regiment, in the time of Lord Somerset. At different times, the South African artists Gregoire BOONZAAIER and Frank SPEARS lived here. Somebody is said to have been walled up in the house, but another explanation of the haunting is that a maid fell down the stairs, during a drunken party with the officers.<br />
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Groot Constantia has Simon VAN DER STEL strolling to the ornamental swimming pool on summer mornings. He was a well-loved Governor, and wasn't White, a fact that was not known for many years. He was the son of a Dutch official and his East Indian wife, and was the first commander of the settlement to be given the title Governor. He retired to Groot Constantia, but his wife, Johanna SIX lived in Holland. His older son, Willem, succeeded him as Governor. Willem's administration was marred by corruption and incompetence, and he and his brother Frans were banished from the Cape in 1708. Their father continued to live at the Cape until he died in 1712. Shortly before his death, he freed the slave Christina van Canarie. In 1713 she bought the house and estate of Stellenberg, from Simon's exiled son Frans. Stellenberg still stands in Stellenberg Avenue, Kenilworth.<br />
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99 Milner Road in Rondebosch was used by a cult in the 1970s. An old man wanders around and doors open of their own accord.<br />
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At 71 Bree Street, an 18th century house demolished in 1950, was haunted by an elderly woman in a long dress. She was seen by many people, even by the contractor who demolished the house. A séance revealed that she was Martha CILLIERS, whose child Henrietta had been buried in the garden.<br />
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Westoe House in Mowbray had a Chinese room, which had so many manifestations that it was locked for many years before finally being demolished. The house dates from the 17th century and with 18th century additions. A bedroom with a four-poster bed is haunted by an old man in 18th century clothes. An old man haunts a four-poster bed. Klein Schuur in Mowbray became the official residence of South Africa's Minister of Justice. A room in the basement, where slaves were housed, is haunted. Mowbray was once called Driekoppen because the heads of executed slaves had been placed on spikes here.<br />
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At Kronendal in Hout Bay, the ghost of Elsa CLOETE haunts the house that is now a restaurant. She fell in love with a British soldier, but they could not marry. He was so distressed that he hanged himself from a tree in Oak Avenue. Elsa died of a broken heart, and is now often seen at a window. A table is set each evening for the couple in the restaurant. Her father, Abraham Josias CLOETE, owned the farm from 1835 to about 1849.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWpEO8AgUbBKcySLKUEfr2fs1b_rxxcVqF1envfuJO15RW3vuKYnfRZbocCEI4n5uo09oZnC7yda5gBA61Sx8OWAjycCnF8XnAB7kXBEb87ms9YAfwsHQbzhHPJvhapyTxW0fbRhoJzI/s1600/MountNelsonHotel1899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town 1899" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWpEO8AgUbBKcySLKUEfr2fs1b_rxxcVqF1envfuJO15RW3vuKYnfRZbocCEI4n5uo09oZnC7yda5gBA61Sx8OWAjycCnF8XnAB7kXBEb87ms9YAfwsHQbzhHPJvhapyTxW0fbRhoJzI/s400/MountNelsonHotel1899.jpg" height="276" title="Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town 1899" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">The Mount Nelson Hotel in 1899</i></td></tr>
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The Mount Nelson Hotel has its fair share of ghosts. Sir Arthur Conan DOYLE used to hold séances in his room when he stayed there in 1928. Fondly known as The Nellie, it was opened on 06 March 1899 to cater to the wealthy escaping northern winters. It was the first hotel in South Africa to have hot and cold running water. In the Castle Shipping Line's first print advertising brochure, the hotel was advertised as "a piece of London in South Africa." It was the idea of Sir Donald CURRIE, the shipping magnet who owned Castle Shipping Line. He competed with the Union Line, which owned the Grand Hotel in Strand Street, opened in 1894. It was considered the most luxurious hotel in the southern hemisphere, having a dining room for 250 guests, wall-to-wall carpets on all four floors, electrical light, an elevator and a French chef. The Grand was rebuilt a few times and eventually demolished in 1972 to make space for a retail chain store. With the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War on 12 October 1899, Britain used the Mount Nelson as military operations headquarters. The young war correspondent, Winston CHURCHILL, was a guest there after escaping from the Boers. Lord KITCHENER spent most of the war at the hotel. He wasn't popular with the officers, who were used in the servant quarters on the fourth floor, until he banned them and sent them off to Stellenbosch by goods train. The fourth floor is haunted by an old lady wandering around. It used to be an area were slaves lived. Room 68 or 69 in the new wing sometimes doesn't let anyone in the room, shutting the door firmly. An old lady in a white night gown and long grey hair has been seen barefoot in the new wing, looking at photos of the Union-Castle Line.<br />
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The cloud that covers the top of Table Mountain in summer when the south-easter wind blows, is believed to be the ghost of the retired Dutch pirate, Jan VAN HUNKS. He lived on the slopes of Devil’s Peak with his sharp-tongued wife. To stay out of her way, he spent his days on the mountain smoking his pipe. One day a stranger showed up and challenged him to a smoking contest. It went on for days until he finally beat the stranger. The stranger turned out to be the devil himself, and upon being beaten, struck Jan with thunder, leaving a scorched dry patch where he sat. The tobacco smoke from the contest turned into the table-cloth over Table Mountain. Whenever it appears, Jan and the devil are smoking again.<br />
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The Cape Argus building is haunted during storms by Wilberforce, a hanged pirate. He rattles windows and apparently once left a poem.<br />
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Green Point Lighthouse dates back to 1824 and it is believed that it is haunted by a one-legged lighthouse-keeper, known as Daddy West. This is most likely W.S. WEST who became keeper in September 1901 and retired in 1912.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdgJHA1PYt-C98XAliAsN7YKpwYD_UJvXJKIlEu8qYA5LKAN_3w5x9RVhYEvinAZtF_NX1nD_919HYn-vYcajBF9BAzEEuyisfz5P-IPSz9ut9Rm1D1ONkisWMPBbCTaYVJXGTj49JuI/s1600/DoctorJamesBarry2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Dr James Barry" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdgJHA1PYt-C98XAliAsN7YKpwYD_UJvXJKIlEu8qYA5LKAN_3w5x9RVhYEvinAZtF_NX1nD_919HYn-vYcajBF9BAzEEuyisfz5P-IPSz9ut9Rm1D1ONkisWMPBbCTaYVJXGTj49JuI/s320/DoctorJamesBarry2.jpg" height="320" title="Dr James Barry, Cape Town" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Dr. James Barry</i></td></tr>
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Beneath Lion's Head and the Twelve Apostles, lies Camp's Bay. Above Camp's Bay, in The Glen on Kloof Road, is the Round House. Dating from the early 19th century, it was the shooting box of the Lord Charles SOMERSET. There were leopards as recently as the 1930s, and in the 1830s, the astronomer Sir John HERSCHEL recorded hippos near his observatory in Claremont. The Round House is now a small restaurant. This is where the ghost of Dr. James BARRY has been seen on many occasions. Dr. Barry also roams the surrounding mountains, in British military uniform. He arrived at the Cape in 1815 or 1817. Red-haired, he wore three-inch soles on his shoes, and his shoulders seemed to be padded, so that the Malay people called him the Kapok Doctor. He studied at Edinburgh University, sponsored by the Earl of Buchan. Graduating at the age of 18, he served in Spain, Belgium and India, before being posted to the Cape. Dr. Barry would ride about in dress uniform and cocked hat, carrying a parasol, and accompanied by a black manservant. He carried a large cavalry sword. Though privately commenting on his effeminacy, the officers were wary of his bad temper. At the house Alphen, Dr. Barry fought a pistol duel with Josias CLOETE, with the latter being banished to the garrison on Tristan da Cunha. He was later knighted, and the family bought the Alphen estate, which today is the Alphen Hotel, haunted by ghostly revellers. James escaped punishment, probably because of protection from the Earl of Buchan, believed by some to have been his father or grandfather. James was promoted to Medical Inspector, only weeks after his arrival, thought to have been helped by saving the life of one of Lord Somerset's daughters. His bad temper sometimes led to being sent home under arrest. He performed the first Caesarean section in the English-speaking world in 1826, on on Mrs. Wilhelmina MUNNIK. The baby was named James Barry MUNNIK. This child became godfather to James Barry Munnik HERTZOG, later Prime Minister of South Africa. The grateful Munnik family commissioned the only known portrait of Dr. Barry, which is in the Alphen Hotel. Barry also traced the cause of Cape Town's impure water supply, and arranged for a better system. He was a vegetarian, and took a goat everywhere for its milk. He advised patients to bathe in wine, as he believed that the alcohol reduced the risk of infections. Barry did not handle cases which he considered to be beneath his skill as a surgeon. When a clergyman sent a message asking Barry to pull a tooth, Barry sent him a farrier. He denounced the cruelty and negligence of the officials regarding the care of prisoners, lepers and lunatics. This led to accusations of defamation, but he tore up the summons and refused to answer questions. The Fiscal sentenced him to imprisonment, but Lord Somerset set aside the punishment. The matter may have led to him losing his position as Medical Inspector, and sent back to Britain in 1828. Postings followed in Mauritius, Trinidad and Saint Helena. From Saint Helena, he returned to England without official leave. Next he served in Malta, Corfu, the Crimea, Jamaica and Canada. He reached the rank of Inspector General, HM Army Hospitals. He retired in 1864 and returned to England, still with John, his black manservant and a poodle called Psyche. He died in July 1865. A doctor signed the death certificate without realising that Dr. Barry was a woman. A charwoman, Sophia BISHOP, who laid out the body was more observant. Dr. Barry was buried in Kensal Rise Cemetery, London. Friends of Dr. Barry arranged John's passage to Jamaica. Some believe that Dr. Barry went to South Africa to follow a surgeon with whom she was in love. Lawrence Green believed that this was Andrew SMITH, founder of the South African Museum and later knighted, but there was no proof. Her real name was Margaret Ann BULKLEY, born to Jeremiah BULKLEY and his wife Mary-Ann. Mary-Ann was the sister of Irish artist and professor of painting at the Royal
Academy in London, James Barry. Jeremiah was a grocer from Cork. The story was finally discovered Dr, Hercules Michael DU PREEZ, a Cape Town urologist. He wrote an article about his discovery in the South African Medical Journal of January 2008.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Dr. James Barry, John the manservant and Psyche the dog</i></td></tr>
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The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve has a homestead, Buffelshoek, which became a tea room. A ghostly woman in white has been seen in the building. It has also been seen outside, under a cypress. Screaming and wailing has been heard at night. She may be the wife of a man who killed himself, after learning that she was pregnant by another man. Near an old cemetery in the reserve was another house, at which the manifestations were so frightening that the house was demolished. There is also Skaife House, on the west of the reserve. Here a man used gas to kill himself, and his ghost still wanders there, At Klaasjagersberg, there is a group of cottages in which the reserve's rangers live with their families. The lounge of the oldest cottage is a rondavel, where a suicidal man is seen hanging from the rafters.<br />
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Along the famous Chapman's Peak scenic drive, a procession of ghostly monks has been seen. The origin of this haunting is unknown.<br />
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<b>SIMON'S TOWN</b><br />
In the days of Dutch rule, Simon's Town was the Cape's winter harbour. The main road, St. George's Street, is also known as the historic mile. The town was also the South Atlantic base of the Royal Navy for many years, and is still used by the South African Navy.<br />
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Simon's Town Museum has a haunted portrait of a young lady. If you try to take a photo of it, the photo comes out blurry or not at all. Ibeka House, a private residence, apparently has three ghosts. The rectory in Cornwall Street has ghostly footsteps and banging of doors. Admiralty House has Naval officers and a woman in a grey dress. At the Palace Barracks there is an old sea captain and an elderly woman.<br />
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The Residency, now housing the Simon's Town Museum, was originally built as a residence for Dutch Governors on their occasional visits to the port. When the Royal Navy occupied Simon's Town in 1814, it became the seat of the Government Resident or Magistrate, and remained so until 1980. Some of the doors in the Residency were once cabin doors on sailing ships. There are stocks where prisoners were restrained as punishment, and cells where men were chained. In one cell, there are bloodstains and, sometimes two ghost prisoners are seen. An old sailor, unjustly flogged to death, has been seen in the building, as has the ghost of a warder's wife, who in life had abused female prisoners. Photos of a mural in the Residency are often, for no apparent reason, blurred or blank. The bar room, originally for visiting sailors, has a portrait of a young gentlewoman. She is sometimes called the Lavender or Lilac Lady. She was often seen by the wives of Magistrates. One magistrate, Duncan NEETHLING saw her following his wife around the kitchen. She has also been seen since the Residency became a museum. It was thought she was the teenaged Eleanor MACARTNEY, daughter of the first British Governor. Others believe she was a young woman who loved Horatio NELSON. In 1776, he came ashore from his ship, The Dolphin, to be nursed through an illness. This was long before the Cape was British. In 1776, the building had already been used by the Cape's Governors for five years, and it was the year in which the building ceased to be used for that purpose. It was sold to Gideon ROUSSEAU, a wealthy businessman with 12 children. The ghost might be one of Gideon's daughters who drowned herself when her lover had to leave the Cape.<br />
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The building now called Admiralty House has been standing since at least 1740, with alterations through the years, especially after it was damaged by a storm in 1853. During the American Civil War, the house was visited by the Captain of the Confederate raider Alabama. This visit inspired the song, Daar Kom Die Alabama, sung by Cape Town's Muslim community. In 1947, the Royal Family attended a garden party here. In the 1950s Lady CAMPBELL, wife of Vice-Admiral Sir Ian CAMPBELL, saw the ghosts of men in naval uniform on the stairs. In the 1970s Mrs. JOHNSON, wife of Vice-Admiral J.V. JOHNSON, saw a ghostly gentleman who opened a door for her, and closed it behind her. Admiralty House is also haunted by a woman with brown hair, who wears a long, grey dress. It is thought she might be the same woman who haunts the Residency. Another naval building, Ibeka, is also haunted by her. The three buildings are apparently linked by tunnels. The Ibeka might be linked to a governess who hanged herself on the attic landing. Ibeka also has a ghostly old man, who is seen sitting on the toilet.<br />
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The Palace Barracks was once linked to the seashore by a cable car. It is haunted by an old sea Captain, who disturbs officers in their billets. The sounds of drinking and billiard playing are heard from the billiard room. Upstairs, the ghost of an elderly woman is seen making beds. Another ghost at Palace Barracks is that of Mary KINGSLEY, the famous explorer of West Africa. In 1900, Mary, age 37, volunteered to nurse Boer prisoners during an outbreak of enteric fever. She contracted the illness herself, and her ghost wanders around the building.<br />
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In Black's Lane there was a group of three houses known as Mafeking Terrace. House No. 3 was haunted by a tall, dark man, nicknamed Wilbur by the family that lived there. He was Robert MartinCOUPAR, who, while a boarder at the house shortly after the Anglo-Boer War, strangled his seamstress girlfriend's baby and threw it in the sea. The court hearings in Cape Town in 1906 were packed, due to his good looks. He was sentenced to death, and a public outcry followed with a petition gathering 10 000 signatures. He was hanged at Roeland Street jail in 1907. Mafeking Terrace was abandoned in 1992.<br />
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St. George's Church, also known as the Sail Loft Church, is on the upper floor of 18th century stone building where sail makers once worked. The building has a clock tower, a gable decorated with an anchor, stinkwood entrance doors, and yellowwood floors. There is a mural by the South African artist Joy COLLIER, who has heard ghostly footsteps in the church. The former rectory of the Anglican Church, next to the Simon's Town Museum, is a stone-built residence, where ghostly footsteps and banging doors have been heard. In 1949 Mrs. MARTIN, the wife of the Anglican minister, wrote a letter to the Cape Times about the haunting. She also mentioned a ghost called the White Lady, which haunted a house a few doors down in the same street.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpJRaY8q_yjZ5vOUDuEWakq1jZxb5ARHiQwQnAmOYWGCbZulBtLddN3jxcg8PjkndGSR7zPmjOATf4pJ2cNW1pwhDWJO_HdwhpnRQejiTQ-eQZIKIJK20A_Kge9yDg9ptoTSLvXiKIvs/s1600/GrahamstownOldGaol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Old Gaol in Grahamstown" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpJRaY8q_yjZ5vOUDuEWakq1jZxb5ARHiQwQnAmOYWGCbZulBtLddN3jxcg8PjkndGSR7zPmjOATf4pJ2cNW1pwhDWJO_HdwhpnRQejiTQ-eQZIKIJK20A_Kge9yDg9ptoTSLvXiKIvs/s400/GrahamstownOldGaol.jpg" height="400" title="Old Gaol in Grahamstown" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">The Old Gaol in Grahamstown</i></td></tr>
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<b>GRAHAMSTOWN</b><br />
Grahamstown started life as a military outpost. By 1830 it had libraries, newspapers, courts and museums. The Old Gaol on Somerset Street was most recently a backpackers' lodge, but it is famous for being one of Grahamstown's most haunted spots. The ghost of Henry NICHOLLS doing the dead man's walk from gaol to gallows (between the Old Gaol and Drostdy Arch) is often heard. He was the last person to be publicly hanged in the town in 1862 on charges of rape. He was not offered final words or last prayers, and many say his spirit cannot rest. He pleaded guilty and spent four months hoping to escape execution (rape was not a capital punishment in English law). He was a military man and fell under military law in which rape fell under capital punishment. On 19 February 1862 a large crowd witnessed his execution. Rhodes University's Journalism Department is occasionally visited by a man and girl in period dress.<br />
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St Andrews College is one of the oldest schools in South Africa. The founding headmaster, Arthur (Foxy) KNOWLING, died from a heart attack shortly after retiring. He still makes his presence known in Mullins and Holland Houses.<br />
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<b>PORT ELIZABETH</b><br />
The city's architecture lends a wonderful backdrop to its wandering spirits. Haunted places include the Public Library where an unhappy policeman wanders; a row of terraced houses where a nun, woman and child have been seen walking through walls; and a murder house in Walmer.<br />
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The Cleghorn, Harris and Stephen's building, next to where the present Port Elizabeth Public Library was later built, burnt down on 06 May 1896. Police Constable MAXWELL was killed when stone coping fell onto him while firemen tried to put out the fire. A remembrance stone was placed on a low wall in what was to become the Library grounds. When construction of the Library started, the stone was moved to the Library gardens. From then on, his ghost haunted Room 700 until the stone was returned to its original place, after which no more sightings were reported. Another Library ghost is caretaker Robert THOMAS, who died on 06 February 1943. He was a bachelor and started looking after the Library in 1912 until his death. Staff say doors open and shut of their own accord, books are removed from shelves and stacked on the floor, and books fall for no reason. Others feel his presence, including one man who hid in the building in the 1980s at night on a dare and had to call the police to let him out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwpBZn8kJIyVoqv7X_29TKoQ2PwAQ2PGfKyPJzY7gPfI3FaZMu9aNL2cjAfnfNjz-Jmv1VgOv3ZpawU_FCJo7XzRmB4WoSg_KEv0neA5ZawqztVX89ujQOaN_4t7kzyCz-vcZyrjmD5w/s1600/PortElizabethLibrary2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Port Elizabeth Public Library" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwpBZn8kJIyVoqv7X_29TKoQ2PwAQ2PGfKyPJzY7gPfI3FaZMu9aNL2cjAfnfNjz-Jmv1VgOv3ZpawU_FCJo7XzRmB4WoSg_KEv0neA5ZawqztVX89ujQOaN_4t7kzyCz-vcZyrjmD5w/s400/PortElizabethLibrary2.jpg" height="267" title="Port Elizabeth Public Library, South Africa" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"> Port Elizabeth Public Library</i></td></tr>
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Richly House is said to be the most haunted house in Port Elizabeth. Built by William James WILLS in 1906, it has been a general nursing home to a World War II brothel and a post-war boarding house. A nun is accompanied by an unseen baby's cries. A woman and child in period clothing are often passed in the hallway. A grumpy man in a grey coat storms through the dining room to the kitchen where he rattles pots and pans. One ghost appears in the servants' quarters and tries to strangle people.<br />
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Cradock Place is haunted by a young slave girl who was murdered by her jealous lover. He threw her into the large oven in the kitchen, locked the door and built a fire. She had been employed in the house, and the drawing room was her favourite. She took great care dusting the piano. After her death, soft music was often heard in the empty room.<br />
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In the 1880s, the British and Irish were at loggerheads. A group known as The Invincibles decided to protect Irish interests. When Lord Frederick CAVENDISH was chosen as Chief Secretary to Ireland, the group was enraged and he was assassinated. Dublin-based James CAREY turned State witness against the assassins and sent five Invincible leaders to their deaths. In exchange, he was granted a new name and life in South Africa. When he boarded the Melrose Castle bound for Durban, he was followed by an Invincible assassin, who shot him when a passing fishing boat caused a distraction. The assassin was arrested, and John's body was eventually buried in a pauper's grave in Port Elizabeth. Shortly after his burial, the cemetery was moved to make way for a new power station. An employee tasked with the moving the remains from the cemetery took a liking to John's skull and used it for many years as an ashtray and candle holder. The ghost of John refuses to leave the boiler room or the site where the cemetery once was.<br />
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<b>PRINCE ALBERT</b><br />
In 1845 Queen Victoria agreed that a village in the Karoo could be named after her consort, Prince Albert. Ailsa THUDHOPE is an expert on the village ghosts, including the doomed bride killed in a cart accident on the eve of her wedding and is seen in the parlour of the Fransie Pienaar Museum. An elderly gentleman greets pretty ladies from the veranda of a house in Mark Street. When new owners took over the house and filled the veranda with bookshelves, he threw books on the floor. When the owners asked him to stop, he did so. The house of Dr. MEARNS is haunted. The doctor treated Boer Commando Gideon SCHEEPERS in 1901 after he was wounded by a British bullet during the Anglo-Boer War. A young lady in a white night gown with lace at her throat and tiny buttons down her front, bounces on the bed of Mearns House.<br />
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<b>JOHANNESBURG</b><br />
One of Johannesburg's ghosts is known as Mr Chips, a worker at the potato sheds in Newton, who was killed by a falling sack of potatoes. He is said to haunt Museum Africa’s costume collection section, where he is heard ruffling the clothes and re-arranging shelves. The potato shed buildings were built in 1912 as part of the original Indian market between Carr Street and Museum Africa. The Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market relocated from the city centre to Newtown in 1913. In 1974 the market was relocated to larger premises in City Deep.<br />
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The old Florence Nightingale Nursing Home has a blonde Afrikaans nurse with maroon epaulettes. She would speak to patients and change their drips correctly. She still roams the building at the corner of Constitution Hill.<br />
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The Breytenbach Theatre in Gerhard Moerdyk Street started out as a German club. The building was later used by Emily HOBHOUSE for a weaving and crafts school. During the flu epidemic of 1918, it was a temporary hospital. It was later used as a film and artists' studio before staging its first production in 1958. The cellar below the stage once housed the bodies of those who died in 1918, including that of a nurse named Heather. She was in charge of the children admitted in 1918 and eventually caught the disease herself. After her death, she never left her post, patiently waiting to care for any sick child that needs her.<br />
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Daisy de Melker was the first serial killer to be convicted in South Africa. In the 1920s, she killed two husbands and a son, for insurance money. She poisoned them with arsenic or strychnine. She was hanged in 1932. Her home in Club Street, Turffontein is still standing and sometimes she can be seen there, peering out the upstairs window. Passers-by have noticed the curtain moving and a ghostly hand appearing at about 6pm. The Supreme Court's Court 3 is also haunted by her, where she was sentenced.<br />
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The View, a Parktown Ridge mansion, was once the home of Sir Thomas and Lady Annie CULLINAN. She is often seen at the top of the stairs in a beautiful dress and the sounds of footsteps have been heard on the first floor. The sound of someone climbing a staircase can also be heard, but the staircase has long since been removed.<br />
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Aurora in Central Avenue, Houghton, is haunted by Bubbles SCHROEDER. She was popular with high society. She was found dead in a blue gum plantation near Wanderers Sports Club in August 1949. Her ghost can be heard walking around the building and howling.<br />
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Foxwood House is an historic boutique hotel in Houghton. Built in 1924, it was one of the first houses in the area. It is filled with antique family heirlooms, such as the radio gramophone which has been in the same spot since 1936. Apart from mysterious footsteps, several guests claim to have seen a lady with a child on the balcony and some have sworn they’ve seen Paul KRUGER.<br />
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<b>SOWETO</b><br />
On 16 June 1976, school children assembled in school grounds in Soweto, singing Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica before starting their protest march against Afrikaans at Orlando Stadium. During the march, Hastings Ndlovu and schoolboy Hector Peterson were killed by police bullets. The ghost of Hector is often seen by some as a schoolboy with his hand clenched in the Black Power salute, at the foot of the rocky knoll after dark. The faint sound of gunfire can be heard by some.<br />
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<b>PRETORIA</b><br />
Sammy MARKS was a successful industrialist at the turn of the 19th century. His home, Zwartkoppies Hall (now the Sammy Marks Museum) and apparently still lives there, his icy presence felt along with doors that open and close on their own. Some have heard a baby crying in what was the nursery, which could be the ghost of one of his children who died there in 1890. It is the only Victorian mansion in the country whose interior is authentic and intact. The mansion’s 48 rooms include a Scottish ghost. Employed as the children’s tutor, he died in the mansion and now pinches the bottoms of ladies.<br />
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The former home of General Jan SMUTS in Irene is said to be haunted by a little grey man and a Royal Hussar who committed suicide on the premises. The grey man has a Kruger-style moustache. He is reported to be the keeper of a secret regarding the whereabouts of Boer treasure buried on the property.<br />
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A home in Silverton has a ghost who enters the sitting room in the evening, sits down in a particular chair wearing a red jacket and reads a newspaper.<br />
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An English soldier from the Anglo-Boer War, whose remains were stashed in the Uncollected Goods section of the Pretoria Railway Station, before being moved to Lost Goods, is seen wandering about the station late at night.<br />
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Victoria Hotel was opened in 1880 and was then known as Hollandia. One of its ghosts is Alfie, who turns taps on and off. He is also seen in the kitchen. An old, grey lady haunts the majestic staircase just after 10pm.<br />
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There are a few ghosts who are said to roam the old State Museum. Once a military hospital, the groans of soldiers are said to be heard at night, while two angry ghosts haunt the corridors. Some claim to have been confronted by the ghost of a woman in a nurse’s uniform brandishing a scalpel.<br />
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Erasmus Castle is now a National Monument, said to be haunted by the ERASMUS family who were the original owners. Staff have heard footsteps and claim taps are turned on and lights switched off. Apparently two or three of the children, who contracted leprosy and were confined in a room under the main tower until their death, have been seen roaming the staircase and corridors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3w0g3p0miIdwUT0gDGyvL4z6F26DRPlbLmm9FJTLeCgvG-Q9aa0AXpGK-KpcllK-2y8ZdcaroxQW2HRMSe8kdIYNxFaKixYzgBCWzAja5z1U33JoHEEq0M13wQqIRr5biOT0PuBK4Z8/s1600/ErasmusCastlePretoria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Erasmus Castle in Pretoria" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3w0g3p0miIdwUT0gDGyvL4z6F26DRPlbLmm9FJTLeCgvG-Q9aa0AXpGK-KpcllK-2y8ZdcaroxQW2HRMSe8kdIYNxFaKixYzgBCWzAja5z1U33JoHEEq0M13wQqIRr5biOT0PuBK4Z8/s400/ErasmusCastlePretoria.jpg" height="267" title="Erasmus Castle in Pretoria" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"> Erasmus Castle in Pretoria</i></td></tr>
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<b>KWAZULU-NATAL MIDLANDS</b><br />
The Nottingham Road Hotel has a sad ghost. Charlotte, a turn-of-the-century prostitute, fell in love with a British Army officer who didn't feel the same way about her. She committed suicide because of her broken heart, but some believe she was murdered. She died after she fell or was thrown over the balcony of her favourite room in the hotel - Room 10. She hangs around the hotel until this day, and can often be found re-arranging flower arrangements, moving mirrors around, and ringing the service bell in the non-existent Room 22. Some who have slept in Room 10, have woken up to neatly folded clothes and Charlotte having a long conversation with an unseen friend.<br />
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Doc ROBINSON and his wife ran a convalescent home at the beginning of the 20th century. They had a young daughter that they nicknamed Tiny Pie. She died in 1905 and Doc never recovered, dying of a broken heart. Shortly after his death in 1906, he appeared at his home's front gate. He was seen often. When St Winifred's School for Girls took over the premises in 1910, his ghost made girls feel uneasy as he appeared as they were getting dressed. The building became Kings School in 1922 and he still appears every 14 August.<br />
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<b>MATJIESFONTEIN</b><br />
James Douglas LOGAN built the Hotel Milner in 1899, which still stands today. His ghost still appears in the lounges at the back of the hotel. Kate is the most poignant ghosts there, and can often be seen staring out of the window of the top turret, her white dress flowing in the breeze. The young woman worked as a nurse in the hotel's earlier days. She loved to play cards with the patients and was popular. At 19 years of age, she died suddenly without cause or reason. At the top of the second floor, a steep staircase leads to a tiny room, known only as Kate's Card Room. Here the noises of cards being shuffled and soft crying can often be heard. She sometimes comes out of her room and can be seen floating around one of the lower passages, always in her nurse's uniform. Another ghost, known as Lucy, floats around the passages and stairs in a negligee.<br />
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Johnnie is the resident entertainer and will tell you the story of the ghost in the photo. He had the picture taken with the two little girls and the one asked "Who's the lady?" No-one else could see the lady, but she was there when the photo was developed and posted to Johnnie by the family. It may be the ghost of Olive SCHREINER, who lived in Matjiesfontein and wrote The Story of An African Farm there. Her house is near The Lairds Arms.<br />
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<b>KEMPTON PARK</b><br />
The old Kempton Park Hospital, now named Khayalami Hospital, was closed down on 26 December 1996 after the then MEC for Health, Amos MASONDO, declared it "underutilized and in an inappropriate location" as reported in the Mail and Guardian newspaper. The hospital is still abandoned with its operating theatres, beds, confidential files and equipment. The equipment has been estimated to be worth R10 million. Security costs R1 million per year. A team from Supernatural Phenomena Investigation Team of SA (SPITSA) investigated the hospital. They specialise in paranormal investigations on request, using sophisticated equipment and scientific methods to record, document and analyse findings to reach conclusive decisions on what is happening on a specific site. They uses thermal imaging cameras, digital recorders, night vision, infrared cameras, digital voice recorders, electromagnetic field detectors, digital thermometers, and other equipment.<br />
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Ronald HART was born at this hospital in 1991. He found his birth records there, showing the theatre he was born in. He runs a Facebook group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kemptonhospital.co.za?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">A true history of the untold – Kempton Park Hospital</a>, where people share stories of the hospital and upload pictures of their visits there. As long as you have R40, keep your torch down when you are near a window and don’t make too much noise, the security guards fade away with the ghosts.<br />
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In early 2012, a family of six moved out of a rented house in Craig Street, Birchleigh North, after several strange experiences. While their 12 year old daughter was watching TV in the main bedroom, the water started flowing in the shower. This happened four more times. The family also claimed hearing footsteps in the wooden floor passage while they were all in the dining room. Doors also slammed open and close, even after they had been locked.<br />
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<b>VICTORIA BAY</b><br />
Twenty minutes from George Airport there is Land's End, the closest guest house to the sea in Africa, according to owners Rod and Shanell HOSSACK. Many years ago, the property was owned by Mr. MARAIS and his wife Daphne, where they had retired. Daphne died in the house. A clairvoyant who stayed at the house saw an elderly woman sitting at the breakfast table. Her description fitted Daphne's appearance. Ever since, the owners have set a place for her.<br />
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<b>PILGRIM'S REST</b><br />
Alanglade was the home of Richard Allan BARRY, general manager of Transvaal Gold Mining Estates, and his wife Gladys Isabel VAN DER BYL, until 1930. Built between 1915 and 1917, it is now a museum. Richard was born on 20 October 1874 in Barkley, Eastern Cape, the son of Jacob Dirk BARRY and Charlotte MERRIMAN. His uncle was John X. MERRIMAN, the last Premier of the Cape Colony. Richard married Gladys on 06 February 1902 in Cape Town. Her family were Anglicised Afrikaners, who had owned the land which is today Woodstock - from De Waal Drive to Salt River beach. She grew up in Roodebloem Manor. From 1900 to 1952, Gladys kept a daily diary, listing the day's activities and whom she had corresponded with that day. The original diary is part of the Africana collection of the National Library in Cape Town. The diary consists of 53 note books. She started the diary when she was 18 years old, while living with her parents in Cape Town. Richard also kept a diary, with an entry each month, including family events such as births, deaths, triumphs and trials, his work and financial situation. The couple had seven children - Erica Agnes born 1903, Mary Gladys born 1907, Margery, Adrian Michael, Richard Vincent, Nathaniel John, and Barbara Deidre born 09 December 1922. Richard Allan died on 07 October 1949, and Gladys in 1954.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NeWMU4px3H0yX9ouHrAJho_6VPhknDw4eCrmSw1NgEuHqaoeOVV2oUjoWomdLGHHH_y_7E453bIPNDnBbTHDuGM-hrArfsUsENL06N20bvh51W7KWcVDxAvKdjgqAoL1H2DGEjbpAqk/s1600/AlangladeHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NeWMU4px3H0yX9ouHrAJho_6VPhknDw4eCrmSw1NgEuHqaoeOVV2oUjoWomdLGHHH_y_7E453bIPNDnBbTHDuGM-hrArfsUsENL06N20bvh51W7KWcVDxAvKdjgqAoL1H2DGEjbpAqk/s400/AlangladeHouse.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Alanglade House </i></td></tr>
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The family fortunes changed with the collapse of Wall Street in October 1929. The mines were no longer financially stable and Richard was retrenched in June 1930, while he was alone at Alanglade, Gladys and the children being in England for Mary's wedding. The family were given until the end of August to leave the house. The family moved back to the Cape, to a cottage on Keerweder, the fruit farm in Franschhoek previously purchased by Richard and co-owned by another family, the EGLINGTONs. In 1940 Richard sold Keerweder to Mr. BURTON. Richard was a hunter and the cottage was full of hunting trophies and memorabilia. The dining suite, made from tambuti wood, was made in Pilgrim's Rest.<br />
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Margery died at Roedean School from meningitis at the age of 13 years. The family dog, Jock, and his favourite chair was next to Margery’s bed, with a dent in its cushion. Sometimes photographers are unable to focus on it, as if there is something moving there. One photographer's camera shattered inexplicably as he left the house. Some cameras only work in certain rooms and steam up in others. Margery’s room is much colder than the others. Sometimes there is a strong smell of cologne or talcum powder. Sometimes Margery slams her bedroom door and nobody can get in until the next day. Toys are often moved, a pram mysteriously goes from the playroom to the governess's room. Margery’s brothers also have a tragic ending. Richard Vincent died in a mountaineering accident in 1938. Adrian, a surgeon, died in 1942 when HMS King George V crashed into HMS Punjabi. In October 1940 Nathaniel was shot down and killed in the Battle of Britain. Barbara married Marthinus VERSFELD in 1942, a Doctor of Philosophy at Cape Town University. She was an active member of the Black Sash.<br />
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At the cemetery, Naboompi is sometimes seen standing next to visitors. He had his legs sawn off below the knee because he didn't fit in his coffin. Mrs. STOPFORTH had 11 children before her husband left her for another woman. She sometimes walks around the cemetery shaking hands with all its inhabitants.<br />
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<b>VICTORIA WEST</b><br />
The house in which rugby legend Mannetjies ROUX grew up is known by the locals as the Ghost House or Spookhuis. His parents lived on a farm when he was born in the local hospital. After his father's death, when Mannetjies was two years old, his mother moved to the town with her children. They lived in the house, which is actually named Rotsvas. This is where he got his nickname - the veranda is quite high, and the children's nanny would warn him in Afrikaans: "Mannetjie, you will fall off." The name stuck, and many years later his wife added the extra s. The house has been empty for many years. After the ROUX family, it was inhabited by Jack CLOETE, a lawyer, and his wife Paddy. They had three children - John, Garth and Barry. Next, the Co-op manager, Hennie SPANGENBERG, lived there. The PRETORIUS family were the next residents, staying for many years. Mannetjies owns the antique shop in town. The building was previously used as a library, cinema, synagogue and Methodist church. He doesn't know why the locals call it a ghost house, but believes that it is because it has been empty for so long.<br />
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<b>UNIONDALE</b><br />
At the Barandas turnoff 19 kms before Uniondale, you'll find the most famous South African ghost, the Uniondale hitchhiker Maria ROUX, who died in 1962. She was asleep on the back seat of the car her fiancé, G.M. PRETORIUS, lost control of. She was killed and he survived. The first reported sighting was in 1976, when she hitchhiked on the same road. Anton LE GRANGE noticed a young woman hitchhiking on the side of the road, so he pulled over and offered her a lift. A few minutes later, he realised that he didn't know where she wanted to go, he turned to ask her but she was gone. He reported the incident to the police. Sceptical, they were finally convinced to go with him to check the area where she disappeared. As they were driving there, the police officer noticed the back door of the car opening and closing by itself. Back at the police station, Anton identified his mysterious passenger from an old photograph of Maria. In 1978, Army Corporal VAN JAARSVELD had a similar experience. He stopped his motorcycle and offered a lift to a young woman with long dark hair and dark clothing. She climbed on, putting his spare helmet on her head and wrapping her arms around his waist. A few miles down the road, he felt a small jolt and turned to see that she was gone. He turned around to go and look for her, only to notice a few minutes later the spare helmet fastened to his luggage rack.<br />
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<b>STANDERTON</b><br />
On the road to Standerton, about 24 kms outside town on the Balfour road, a ghost car is sometimes seen. Marita MCKECHNIE was a 20 year old student at Pretoria University when her mother and younger sister picked her up in the mid-1960s to spend the April holidays in Newcastle, where the family lived. They left Pretoria in a Ford Zephyr at dusk, with Marita driving. Shortly before Standerton they noticed a car without lights on and going in the same direction as them. As they went over a hill, the car was standing in the middle of the road. She swerved right to avoid hitting the car, and at that moment the car disappeared. There were no people in the car, which looked like an old black Buick. Years later her brother-in-law told her his uncle lived in Standerton and he used to tell the story of the ghost car. The car was used as a hearse and it stops on the spot of an accident which took the life of a young girl. Frans SWANEPOEL of Ruimsig said he often heard the story in the 1950s.<br />
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<b>FISH HOEK</b><br />
Fish Hoek Farm dates from 1818 and was the sixth farm to be granted in the valley, after Slangkop (Imhoff’s Gift), Poespaskraal and De Goede Hoop in 1743; Brakkloof in the late 1700s, followed by Groot Zilvermijn in 1813. The farm consisted of three sections - Lot A (The Great Whalery - Sunnycove to Fish Hoek Beach corner), Lot B (The Harring Fishery - from the shoreline towards Sun Valley / Ou Kaapse Weg) and Lot C (Kleintuin - known as Clovelly now). On 05 October 1883, the farm was bought by Hester DE KOCK, a former school mistress. She was already 69 years old when she married Jacob Isaak DE VILLIERS of Noordhoek in 1901. By 1916 they had both died and were buried on the family plot next to the Dutch Reformed Church on Kommetjie Road. The farm was sold off as plots. Hester and Isaak pioneered holidaying in Fish Hoek, offering the first beach front accommodation. The farm house later became the Homestead Hotel, which once stood where the Naval Mess SAS Southern Floe stands today. There are at least six ghosts on the old farm.<br />
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Originally the Glencairn Hotel, the Glen Lodge and Pub between Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town, has two ghostly residents. Some claim to have seen a woman and a little boy on the stairs of the hotel and their presence is occasionally felt when furniture is moved around.<br />
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<b>MACHADODORP</b><br />
Uitkomst farm south of Machadodorp was the scene of a tragedy at the waterfall. No one is sure of the date, stories range from the 1960s to "many years ago". A honeymoon couple were captivated by the beauty of the waterfall and spent many hours there. The bride posed on the edge for a photograph. As she turned to smile at her husband, she slipped on the wet rocks and plunged to her death. A year later, her husband returned and in his grief, threw himself off the rocks in the same spot. People who go to the waterfall on moonlit nights are never alone. The reunited couple are sitting hand-in-hand at the top of the waterfall.<br />
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<b>SEWEWEEKSPOORT</b><br />
Seweweekspoort is in a mountain ravine and used as one of the three major gateways linking the Central and Little Karoo. The 17 km winding route is quite distracting. It was known as Smuggler's Route in days gone by, being the main route for brandy smugglers, runaways, slaves and outlaws. To stop these people, a toll-house was built. The ruins can still be seen at the northern entrance to the Poort, along with the ghost of the first toll-keeper. He runs frantically into the road on cloudy nights, waving his lantern to warn of a threatening storm or raging river up ahead. He sometimes flags down motorists to take their toll fee, but vanishes when the car comes to a stop.<br />
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<b>PIETERMARITZBURG</b><br />
One of Africa's leading independent girls' schools, The Wykeham Collegiate, in Clarendon, is still visited by the ghost of Mary MOORE. She was the headmistress of Wykeham Girls' School from 1905 until 1919, and was feared by the girls that she taught. Her broad-brimmed hat and stern demeanour made her the epitome of a headmistress. In 1990 the school amalgamated to become The Wykeham Collegiate. The Wykeham building was sold and everything was packed up and moved. Awakened by the move, Mary now keeps an eye on the girls from the end of Geekie Hall, alongside her portrait and desk. Her eyes in the portrait match the stern look she had in life.<br />
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Miranda was the 19 year old daughter of a high-ranking official at Government House. She fell in love with a lowly stable boy and they tried to elope, getting as far as the Star and Garter Inn before they caught on the road to Durban. He lost his job and Miranda was locked in her room where she eventually died of a broken heart. Today, she still roams Government House at the head of Longmarket Street (now Langalibalele), which became the old Natal Training College.<br />
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On Howick Road there is a house called Ketelfontein. It was built in 1862 and was a hostel where the transport riders could change horses or rest overnight before continuing on their journey to Durban from Johannesburg. One stormy evening a traveller arrived with a horse so exhausted that it was unable to continue to Durban. The stables had no fresh horses left to exchange, so the man had to spend the night. He was being pursued by the police for being in possession of stolen diamonds. During the night the police arrived and a gun-battle ensued. The traveller was shot dead. His body, horse and possessions were searched and no diamonds were found. The diamonds have never been found by the traveller, who comes back often to look for them.<br />
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A mystery lady in white inhabits Macrorie House. She was the wife of the head warder of the jail in Burger Street, but was having an affair with someone at Government House. There was a reputed tunnel that ran from Government House to Fort Napier, built as an escape route for the Governor. This is where the lovers met. One night her husband followed her. He used his bunch of keys, killing them both directly beneath Macrorie House.<br />
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Sergeant BOSCH is known as the Polo Tavern Ghost. He died in 1919 by crashing his Harley-Davidson motorbike with side car into a lamppost outside the Polo Tavern, which he frequented often. After his body was removed, a local newspaper photographer took a photo of the accident site. In the photo the fuzzy figure of a man can be seen climbing the steps to the tavern, even though onlookers, pictured in the photo, swore that no one entered it while the photo was being taken. Over the years patrons and owners have said he still frequents the pub, leaving an empty beer bottle and glass on the bar counter, which is found by staff the next morning after the bar has been thoroughly cleaned and locked up the night before.<br />
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The Alexandra Park cricketers appear on summer afternoons when the thick fog rolls up from the Duzi and shrouds the cricket pavilion. The voice of the umpire echoes round the field. Other men's voices join in, shouting "run!" or "stay!". In the grandstand, a single pair of feminine hands can be heard and a lovely voice cries "Bravo! Well done!" The mist lifts and there's no one there. The Pavilion is empty and the pitch bare.<br />
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The old Forsythe’s Jewellers in Church Street was a theatre in former years. A lovesick actor hanged himself there when his advances were spurned by an actress. He was known to haunt the shop.<br />
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In the Great Gale of 31 August 1902, 21 boats either sank or were blown onto North End Beach. Forty-one crew and rescuers died this disaster and many were buried in the South End Cemetery. Some of their ghosts are said to wander through this graveyard.<br />
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<b>DULLSTROOM</b><br />
During the Anglo-Boer War a young British soldier, Sergeant LARLEY was injured. He was cared for by a young Afrikaans girl, Magda. They fell in love, but her family accused her of treachery and locked her away. The soldier was heart-broken and, he soon died. Not knowing what happened to him, Magda sat at the log fire in the Dullstroom Inn for many years, waiting for him to come and fetch her. If you stand on the corner outside the Dullstroom Inn, just after the sun sets, you might hear the sound of thundering hooves as he comes to rescue her. Those who are see him are said to be forever lucky in love.<br />
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<b>DURBAN</b><br />
The Old Fort is set in beautiful gardens and was once the headquarters of the Durban Light Infantry. Brigadier-General G. MOLYNEUX haunts the gardens named in his honour. The Warrior’s Gate building is home to the ghost of a soldier who likes to re-arrange furniture and displays.<br />
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53 Hospital Road on the corner of Point Road was the office of Rosie DRY, a famous madam in the 1940s who had a string of brothels. The building is said to be haunted by the ghost of a soldier whom she had killed in 1944. She dumped his body in a barrow and wheeled it to a nearby dance floor.<br />
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<b>BULWER</b><br />
The Mountain Park Holiday Resort Hotel is a manor house with creaking floors and Tudor-style accommodation. It has seven ghosts. Two ghostly drunkards reside in the pub. Three men reside on the third floor. There's the childminder Ruth, seven-year-old Matilda and Wisp, a ghost dog.<br />
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<b>STELLENBOSCH</b><br />
The Zorgvliet Country Lodge is one of the Cape’s oldest wine farms. Travellers once feared to here as the dense forest was inhabited by gangs, escaped slaves and wild animals. The mischievous ghosts today only open and close doors or play with light switches in the tasting room.<br />
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<b>WATERVAL-ONDER</b><br />
The Wayside Inn is a 19th century coach inn. There is a peppercorn tree in the grounds, under which a nurse and an officer of the Inniskilling Dragoons used to meet. They were killed in an attack during the Anglo-Boer war. Their ghosts continued to meet there, until the tree blew over in the 1960s and the officer's grave was moved to Barberton. Also in the grounds, is the Krugerhof, where President Paul KRUGER stayed before his exile in Europe. Before he left, he and his Cabinet met in a railway carriage, and it was from here that they are said to have disposed of the gold of the South African Republic, known as the Kruger Millions.<br />
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<b>KAAPSEHOOP</b><br />
Wild horses roam the area, descendants of animals left behind by British forces during the Anglo-Boer War. The area was once called Duiwel's Kantoor. One of the village's ghosts is an old woman, said to have been an alcoholic who murdered her husband with an axe. Another elderly woman haunts the veranda of the Green Venus, now a pub but once a trading store. The screams of a child crying for help have also been heard in the pub. A mother and child burned to death there in the 1940s. Children can also be heard laughing outside, among the nearby rocks. Breaking crockery has been heard when loud music is played. The mining commissioner's house was built in 1884.<br />
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Reinette VAN NIEKERK looks out for the welfare of the wild horses. She moved to Kaapsehoop in 2004 to work with horses. After owning the local backpackers’ lodge for a few years, she became the Horse Lady. She also acts as booking agent for all the accommodation in Kaapsehoop, and is a tour guide.<br />
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One of the outside buildings that was previously used as a hospital by the only doctor in town is thought to be haunted. Many miners died from malaria and TB. The buildings have been used as servants’ quarters. Many have seen a big White man with a beard who threatens them with a whip if they dare lie down and sleep. He swears at them in their native tongue, and makes them stand up. Kaapsehoop's graveyard dates back to the 1800s. The local pub, the Salvador Bistro, is believed to be haunted.<br />
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<b>NOORD-KAAP</b><br />
In the gardens of the Bougainvillea Hotel, there is Hanging Tree, where horse thieves and claim jumpers are said to have been hanged by lynch mobs. Sometimes, when there is no breeze, the tree shakes violently.<br />
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<b>BARBERTON</b><br />
The Barberton Provincial Hospital was haunted by Sister BROWN, who nursed in the early 20th century. During a break from her work, she was taken on a hunting expedition, where she was mauled by a lion. She is said to wear an old-fashioned grey uniform and her feet are invisible. The hospital was renovated since her death, and the floor raised.<br />
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<b>GERMISTON</b><br />
The Old as Gold Guest House in Primrose was said to have been haunted by the ghosts of Chinese mine workers. The building dates from about 1880, and was built as the home of a Cornish mine manager. There were three underground rooms that once housed Chinese mine workers. A secret staircase leads to the rooms, which may have been used to hide unregistered workers. Smugglers, known as black birders, traded in people. Joff VAN REENEN, an auctioneer who researched the history of the house, believes that three tunnels, now sealed off, once led from the rooms to the gold mines in the area.<br />
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<b>GHOST TOURS</b><br />
Mark Rose-Christie owns the Mystery Ghost Bus Tours. Tours are available in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban. Each tour includes haunted sites, the history and science of the paranormal, and an historical cemetery at midnight.<br />
<a href="http://www.mysteryghostbus.co.za/" target="_blank">www.mysteryghostbus.co.za</a><br />
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Kimberley Ghost Tours by Steve Lunderstedt<br />
Tel: +27 (0) 83 732 3189<br />
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Prince Albert Ghost Walk by Ailsa Tudhope<br />
<a href="http://www.storyweaver.co.za/" target="_blank">www.storyweaver.co.za</a><br />
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<b>INVESTIGATIONS</b><br />
Supernatural Phenomena Investigation Team of SA (SPITSA)<br />
<a href="http://www.spitsa.co.za/" target="_blank">www.spitsa.co.za</a><br />
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<b>BOOKS</b><br />
Ghosts of Pretoria, by Eric Bolsmann, published by My Guest Publishers, Pretoria, 1997<br />
An Historical Meander through the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, by Bill Bizley and Pat McKenzie, published by the Midlands Meander Association.<br />
Haunted Corners, by Margaret Williamson<br />
Ghosts of South Africa, by Pat HopkinsEditorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-38738302449174792652012-10-20T22:00:00.000+02:002012-10-21T22:16:37.878+02:00LINDFIELD HOUSE - A VICTORIAN HOUSE IN JOHANNESBURGKatherine LOVE is the owner of Lindfield House in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. The house museum, at 72 Richmond Avenue, is furnished in the Victorian era style, and was recently declared a Provincial Heritage Building. It was designed by Sir Herbert BAKER and built circa 1910 on half an acre of land. The Victorian era covers the period from the late 1830s to 1900. It was built for Dr. ST. John STANWELL and his wife Alice. St. John was born in 1870, the son of Willaim STANWELL and Fanny, who lived in Yorkshire Street, Wardleworth, Rochdale, Lancashire, according to the 1871 England Census. William was also a surgeon. By 1881 the family was living at The Elms, Yorkshire St, Wardleworth. St. John married Alice EVANS in 1898 in Stamford district, Lincolnshire. They left Southampton on the Kildonan Castle on 07 December 1901 for the Cape, along with Mr and Mrs STANWELL. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1893, and was registered as a doctor in South Africa in 1903. In 1913-1915 his office was at 40 Wolmarans Street, Johannesburg. Dr. STANWELL died in 1931 in Natal. Alice travelled between South Africa and England a number of times. On 17 April 1913 she arrived in Southampton on the German from Natal. On 04 October 1913 she left Southampton on the Durham Castle for the Cape. On 04 November 1922 she left Glasgow on the Ulysses for the Cape. On 04 August 1926 she arrived in London on the Dunluce Castle from Port Elizabeth. On 28 November 1928 she left London on the Gloucester Castle for Port Elizabeth.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lindfield House</i></td></tr>
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Through the years the house has been altered and extended. In 1924, A.J. MARSHALL, Sir BAKER's partner, made some changes. In 1933, Nellie EDWARDS, the city's first female architect, added more rooms. Nellie EDWARDS was born 02 August 1897 in Britain, where she did her training. When she registered with the Institute of South African Architects in 1927 she was resident at 86 Marathon Street in Kensington, Johannesburg. By 1933 she had been in practice on her own for nine years and had designed apartments, schools, churches and was at the time designing two blocks of hostels for government schools, a handiwork block and laboratories for another school. She was appointed an arbitrator in about 1933, giving her age as "thirty-six years old on 2 August 1933." By 1947 she had had offices at 111 - 112 London House in Loveday Street. She retired in 1951, resigning from the Institute of South African Architects in 1963.<br />
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When Katherine and her mother, Katharine McGill LOVE (maiden name VILJOEN), bought the 22-room house 43 years ago, the shingle roof and two tall chimneys were removed. Katherine was born a block away. The Apostolic Church offered to buy her parents' house and demolish it to build a church. She and her mother saved the fireplaces, doors and windows, and used them at Lindfield. Katherine's father, Aubrey Clarence LOVE, died in 1968. When her mother passed away in 2005, Katherine turned the house into a Victorian museum and about 10 years ago she started giving tours. She also conducts walking tours of Auckland Park. She has never married and has no heirs. During tours of the 22-roomed house, of which 18 are open to the public, Katherine wears the uniform of a Victorian parlour maid. The entrance fees are the only income she receives. Her family has lived there for two generations, building up a collection of 19th and early 20th century furniture, art, decorative and utilitarian objects representative of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Katherine also gives talks and presentations on the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The by-appointment house tour lasts approximately an hour and a half, and is followed by afternoon tea. Call Katherine on Tel: 011 726 2932 to arrange a tour.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Katherine Love (Photo credit: Beeld newspaper)</i></td></tr>
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The suburb of Auckland Park was laid out in 1888. It was named for New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, by New Zealander John LANDAU, who bought J.J. LINDEQUE's farm on the present site of the Johannesburg Country Club. The area reminded John of a valley near his home in Auckland. He turned the farmhouse into the Auckland Park Hotel, to compete against the nearby Sans Souci Hotel. He constructed a lake filled with water flowing from the Braamfontein Spruit held concerts in the grounds and started a half-hourly bus service from Commissioner Street. In 1906, the hotel became the country club and the lake disappeared. The Standard newspaper carried the first advert for the sale of stands in the suburb. By 1905, an employee of the Auckland Park Real Estate company, Horace COLLINS, renamed the streets after places in the Thames Valley in London and streets associated with the London office of the company. The area was always known for its bluegums, planted by J.H. HARDY in 1888 when he built the first house. At the turn of the 20th century, Auckland Park was in the country relative to the Johannesburg city centre. In Richmond Avenue there is a large oak tree, planted from an acorn by Bill WILSON, whose father brought back the seed from service in WW1. Julius JEPPE built a grand house in Molesey Avenue. When the Prince of Wales, later the Duke of Windsor, visited South Africa in 1925, he stayed at 1 and 2 Greenlands Road.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-23972703743767426122012-09-25T14:22:00.000+02:002012-09-25T14:22:17.910+02:00SELMA AMY VALENTINE - WHO WAS SHE?In genealogical research, you often get side-tracked down unrelated, but fascinating paths. For the researcher with more than a fair share of curiosity, it proves too much to not take those paths. This story is one such case, where I could not resist - and today I cannot even recall what or who I was researching when I came across Selma Amy VALENTINE and her connection to South Africa.<br />
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She served during World War I in the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), a voluntary organisation providing field nursing services. Following the end of the Anglo-Boer War, the British War Office was concerned that in the event of another war the medical and nursing services wouldn’t be able to cope sufficiently. In August 1909 the War Office started its Scheme for the Organisation of Voluntary Aid in England and Wales, which set up both male and female Voluntary Aid Detachments to fill gaps in the Territorial medical services, with a similar scheme for Scotland following in December 1909. By early 1914, 1757 female detachments and 519 male detachments had been registered with the War Office.<br />
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Selma was awarded the Military Medal and is listed in the World War I Medal Index. She also served with the Women's Royal Naval Service (known as the Wrens), where she was a clerk and interpreter. Later she was part of Lady Muriel PAGETS's Mission (Crimea Unit), which saw former Wrens doing relief work in Eastern Europe. Her interesting life led her to South Africa during World War II.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Selma Amy VALENTINE during her fund-raising tours of South Africa</i></td></tr>
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Selma was born in Russia on 17 July 1893. She was of French-Ulster descent on her father's side, and of Swedish-Russian descent on her mother's side. Her father, George F. VALENTINE, according to family stories, was the grandson of a French aristocrat who had fled the French Revolution (1789-1799) and was wrecked on the Irish coast as a child, later marrying the Honorable Miss BROWNE of Sligo.<br />
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The 1793 Aliens Act was passed in England, stipulating that arriving immigrants had to be recorded at the port of entry. The Act was created to log and monitor the large numbers of non-British nationals arriving in the late 18th century, and in particular the thousands of French fleeing the French Revolution. Their arrival prompted government concern that the social unrest being witnessed on the continent might spread to England. Thirty-two thousand French citizens arrived in England during this period, many of whom were clergy and aristocracy fleeing the Revolution. The UK Aliens' Entry Books 1794-1921 record these people.<br />
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George F. VALENTINE married the eldest daughter of the Acting Governor of the Baltic States (Lithuania and Estonia). Selma's mother had been a pupil at the Imperial School (Smolny Institute) in St Petersburg, a school for aristocratic ladies where they were taught etiquette, dances, sewing, cooking, history and languages. The Smolny was Russia's first educational establishment for women and continued to function under the personal patronage of the Russian Empress until just before the 1917 revolution. In 1917, the school building was chosen by Lenin as Bolshevik headquarters during the October Revolution. George was educated in Belfast (Rugby and Oxford). He lived at The Moat, Strandtown, Belfast.<br />
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Selma spoke four languages - Russian, English, French and German. She studied at Wordsworth College in London, where she obtained a Diploma in Physical Culture, and a Certificate in Speech Training. In December 1916 she returned to Russia, where she spent a year living in Petrograd (St Petersburg). Here she attended speeches given by Lenin, Trotsky and the Tsar, before moving to Shenkursk to teach and help her now-destitute parents. She was taken hostage when the British attacked in 1918, but managed to escape and joined the British forces. During the summer months she served as a Wren, interpreting for the Royal Navy at Archangel in North Russia, and was made a Petty Officer on the H.M.S. Attentive. During the winter months she returned to Shenkursk with the British Expeditionary Force as a VAD to nurse the wounded. It was here that she earned her Military Medal, which she received in May 1919 from King George V. She was also interviewed by Queen Alexandra. The British Journal of Nursing, dated 2nd August 1919, carried the following report:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
HONOURS FOR V.A.D.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
MILITARY MEDAL</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The King has approved the award of the Military Medal to Miss S. A. VALENTINE, V.A.D. The medal is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on October 10th and 14th, 1918, tending wounded under heavy fire on ship and shore while attached to the hospital river steamer Vologjanin. On several occasions her conduct under fire had a marked effect on the morale of jaded troops.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknPYcwd5sifDVSS_4DKD4vrCpRW51eoX8oKVhv6pZCwA8JKamvmnH8KHdAeS6Z4cQ8mkNu5CAj5693pTeYfUJaG_YF_JBwhnO0OgzhUEsPTKZC9bETp76Ls8vNTBRzAp47Ng4fQKdUaU/s1600/Military-Medal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknPYcwd5sifDVSS_4DKD4vrCpRW51eoX8oKVhv6pZCwA8JKamvmnH8KHdAeS6Z4cQ8mkNu5CAj5693pTeYfUJaG_YF_JBwhnO0OgzhUEsPTKZC9bETp76Ls8vNTBRzAp47Ng4fQKdUaU/s1600/Military-Medal.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Military Medal</i></td></tr>
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After the Anglo-Boer War, the British War Minister, Richard HALDANE, created the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), in case it was necessary to take part in a foreign war. By August 1914, there were about 120 000 soldiers in the BEF.<br />
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Selma is mentioned in the book, The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki — Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919, "Shenkursk... This was where Miss Valentine, the English girl who had been teaching school for several years in Russia, came on to nurse the Russians during the flu and later became very friendly with the Americans, and was accused of being a Bolshevik sympathizer, which story is wound all around by a thread of romance clean and pretty."<br />
<br />
In 1919, Selma was evacuated with the British Fleet from Archangel. Shortly afterwards she returned to Russia voluntarily as secretary, interpreter and Matron to Lady Muriel PAGETS's Mission. She was evacuated through the Crimea and Constantinople in the final retreat of the White Army. The book, Reminiscent Sketches 1914 to 1919 - by members of Her Majesty Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, published in 1922, describes life in Archangel.<br />
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Selma next made her way to Africa. Miss S.A. VALENTINE, age 24, departed from Southampton on-board the Saxon (Union-Castle Mail) on 06 August 1921, bound for Durban. She worked in Lourenco Marques (now Maputo in Mozambique) and Johannesburg (South Africa) teaching elocution, physical culture and ballet. In 1925-1926 she returned to England, and worked as a lecturer for the British Government and toured the country as part of electioneering campaigns. Refusing offers of permanent government employment, she next set off for India. Here she was friends with Sir William BIRDWOOD (Commander-in-Chief of the Army in India) and his wife Lady Birdwood. Other friends include Lord and Lady IRWIN, Sir David PETRIE (Director of the C.I.D. In India) and his wife Lady Petrie, Sir Lancelot GRAHAM and his wife Lady Graham, Colonel Wilson JOHNSON (Political Agent at Noba), and Miss WARBERTON (daughter of a C.I.D. policeman). Selma lived with Colonel BATTYE and his wife for two years. Once a week she taught physical culture at Viceregal Lodge in Delhi and Simla. She lectured on Russian and world affairs, from Benares to Bombay, in Kashmir and Quetta. She visited Tibet twice during this time.<br />
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From 1928 to 1938, she nursed a friend and cousin through illness. They travelled to various European cities such as Rome, Carlsbad and Vichy for treatment. In 1932 she met Hitler in Weimer. During the Italian visit she met Mussolini. She was in Austria when the Nazis entered, and fled to Switzerland by car. In 1938 she became ill and went to Italy and Switzerland for treatment. Just before war broke out, she left Italy for France, staying with Dr. Benes' sister-in-law at Versailles. Here she met many European diplomats and military figures. Selma's sister, Elizabeth, was married to a French inventor, politician and diplomat to China. Selma's work in Paris involved detection of Fifth Column activities, interpreting and nursing. When the Nazis entered Paris, she escaped by walking to Poitiers. From there she went to Bordeaux and Bayonne. At the end of June 1940, she found passage on a Dutch ship. After a period of illness in London, she left for South Africa again, leaving Liverpool for Cape Town on 27 July 1940 on-board the Cape Town Castle (Union-Castle Mail).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SKXSX_QqpTG2QBZ4JGIFWysuMK8oOwsMyiUetRSW2jJe_tNIDy12yN1aSXIoi5zzraHGQ6jz5CZ_Tl1oqGRb4sbeTtTJXUx_CbDDshnsMBlBr1FEYz6-k9p4NheNWgAmkQoCiitFc7Q/s1600/Letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SKXSX_QqpTG2QBZ4JGIFWysuMK8oOwsMyiUetRSW2jJe_tNIDy12yN1aSXIoi5zzraHGQ6jz5CZ_Tl1oqGRb4sbeTtTJXUx_CbDDshnsMBlBr1FEYz6-k9p4NheNWgAmkQoCiitFc7Q/s400/Letters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Letters of Introduction given to Selma</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3acYGm5xPPfa15L54Oyjw5t1JsDF7s5TsXnxCnk9K94xWofSdMFkPUkg3JTTOnFucLgDEIt_oVNK0rhFqVRsBhR_bNAlrPEnlO7stcjUgpOgt8c2wQmHY9VGs88mkn_5M4sHGEzLZfmQ/s1600/SelmaValentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3acYGm5xPPfa15L54Oyjw5t1JsDF7s5TsXnxCnk9K94xWofSdMFkPUkg3JTTOnFucLgDEIt_oVNK0rhFqVRsBhR_bNAlrPEnlO7stcjUgpOgt8c2wQmHY9VGs88mkn_5M4sHGEzLZfmQ/s320/SelmaValentine.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Selma's booklet</i></td></tr>
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During August-December 1940, she helped raise funds for the South African Women's Auxiliary Services (SAWAS) in the Cape, for provision of ambulances, and for the Methodist Church's Canteen Work. In 1941 she raised funds for the blitzed cities of Britain and providing mobile kitchens. She handed over four spinning wheels at the opening of the Navy War Funds Depot in Somerset West. In August 1941 she was advised by doctors to take a year of complete rest. At that time the Cape Argus, dated 18th August 1941, listed the funds she deposited at the Standard Bank in Adderley Street. She still managed to raise funds in that year, speaking in the East Rand, Eastern Transvaal and Swaziland. This was followed by visits to Bechuanaland and Basotuland. Her talks were often organised by SAWAS, the Navy War Funds, Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH) and Memorable Order of Tin Hats Women's Auxiliary (MOTHWA). In Pretoria, she spoke under the patronage of General SMUTS. She spoke at various Rotary Clubs. More talks followed at military camps across the country, raising money for the Fighting French. She was given the Croix de la Reine for this and other services to France. Selma spoke at so many places in southern Africa that a booklet was written about her fundraising efforts. It was published by The Times in Uitenhage, with a copy at the National Archives in Cape Town.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S6r7hSZwRgewNrvPMmY-lhptjpjIuohBajcfTMOjoUtww5KtpJhkecpISd-AE09WzEGc818OUExXn8UddWUkqUcy3lolq3W_zvUsBq4OicZ4VcYOe0-Ka4xB-fvpS0J9nkQP2UTwAtE/s1600/SAWAS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S6r7hSZwRgewNrvPMmY-lhptjpjIuohBajcfTMOjoUtww5KtpJhkecpISd-AE09WzEGc818OUExXn8UddWUkqUcy3lolq3W_zvUsBq4OicZ4VcYOe0-Ka4xB-fvpS0J9nkQP2UTwAtE/s200/SAWAS.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
SAWAS was the largest uniformed women’s organisation supporting the war effort, but not part of the Union Defence Force. SAWAS consisted of 408 branches with almost 65 000 members, each under command of a Provincial Commandant. Working voluntarily, SAWAS ran institutions that included soldiers' clubs, junior clubs, canteens, after-care homes, creches and hostels, that totalled 213 by December 1943. One of SAWAS’ most widespread schemes was its hospitality scheme, under which its officers arranged private hospitality for servicemen on leave, including thousands of men from overseas who spent time ashore as convoys passed the Cape. By 1943, 25 000 officers and men had stayed in private homes around Cape Town. SAWAS became synonymous with service to men in the Forces and their dependants. In the countryside, SAWAS drivers used their own cars to save servicemen train travelling time.<br />
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From October 1943 to February 1944, Selma was forced to rest, owing to heart strain, although she still managed to fit in talks in Natal and East Griqualand. During her tours she paid for her travel, accommodation and related expenses out of her own money. Sometimes she paid for hall rentals and advertisements as well. She kept accounting record of all funds raised. Often she bought food parcels for friends and strangers. Her fundraising work was reported in many newspapers across the country. Selma always spoke as a freelancer, to avoid any accusation of being used for propaganda purposes.<br />
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She left Durban on-board the Arundel Castle (Union-Castle Mail) on 20 April 1951, for Southampton. On 19 September 1952 she left Southampton on-board the Dominion Monarch (Shaw Savill) for Cape Town. On 24 July 1959 she left Durban on-board the Pretoria Castle (Union-Castle Mail) for Southampton. She returned to South Africa some time after (voyage details not found), as she passed away in Graaff-Reinet on 06 November 1968.<br />
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Her estate file at the National Archives in Pretoria (MHG 11245/68) lists her as a spinster, retired lecturer, and then living at 36 Kinross Road, Parkview, Johannesburg (Lot No. 285 situated in Kinross Road and Tyrone Avenue). Selma bought this property in 1949. Her parents are listed as deceased, G.F. and E. VALENTINE. Her death certificate lists her as Thelma Amy, age 75. The death notice lists her as Selma Amy. Cause of death was "cerebral anoxia, status asthmaticus". Her sister Elizabeth is listed as next-of-kin, divorced and living at 7 Rue Mechain XIV, Paris, France.<br />
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Selma's Will, dated May 1950, left much to Miss Frances BANKS, with whom she was friends. The Will established a Trust in order that Frances could carry on writing books. She was granted the lifetime exclusive use without payment of Selma's house at 41 Tyrone Avenue, Parkview, Johannesburg, and all its contents. All the utility and tax accounts, including one servant's wages, were to be taken care of by the Trust. An undated handwritten note on the Will by Selma, listed Frances' address as 28 Stow Park Circle, Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. After Selma's death, the sole heiress was her sister Elizabeth. The house was sold at public auction on 18 September 1969 to a Trustee for a Company, Kinross Investments (Pty) Ltd. Selma also had two freehold stands in Roodepoort, bought in 1950, as well as shares.<br />
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<b>Is this Selma's family?</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrqlSZu1t8wqcGUEiT0yjplG3X8KVFAQxnx7YnmoT_4jXaywn6EDnTIljfRR3Ckj6sge8xenydhxJ84IBm_fnN7-a-JOkT4QXIWPPcpPk4OKvB18lyBjBF1mMmeKGWuHDvm8hmd0ZqyU/s1600/valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrqlSZu1t8wqcGUEiT0yjplG3X8KVFAQxnx7YnmoT_4jXaywn6EDnTIljfRR3Ckj6sge8xenydhxJ84IBm_fnN7-a-JOkT4QXIWPPcpPk4OKvB18lyBjBF1mMmeKGWuHDvm8hmd0ZqyU/s400/valentine.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>William VALENTINE of Belfast</i></td></tr>
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Thomas VALENTINE married Elizabeth Harriet PURDON in 1852 in Belfast.<br />
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George Frederick VALENTINE was born in 1858 in County Antrim. His father was Thomas.<br />
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A List of Subscribers to the Historic Memorials <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/95728512/First-Presbyter-Ian-Church-Belfast" target="_blank">First Presbyterian Church of Belfast</a> published in 1887 lists Thos. VALENTINE, J.P. (Justice of the Peace) at The Moat, Strandtown, and William VALENTINE, J.P. at Glenavna, Whiteabbey.<br />
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Moate House / The Moat, in the parish of Holywood, was a house and land of 5 acres in Ballymaghan townland, Holywood Rd, Strandtown. It was leased by John L. BELL in 1863 from Thomas McCLURE. It was the residence of Thomas VALENTINE in 1886 and Francis WORKMAN in 1902.<br />
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Thomas VALENTINE of Strandtown owned 87 acres of land in County Down, Ireland, in the late 1870s.<br />
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St Mark's Church Dundela lists Thomas VALENTINE as a church warden in 1879 and 1881.<br />
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The 1880 Belfast / Ulster Street Directory lists Thomas VALENTINE, J.P. at The Moat, Strandtown. It also lists William VALENTINE, J.P. at Glenavna, Whiteabbey.<br />
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Bassett's County Down Guide and Directory 1886 lists Thomas VALENTINE of The Moat, Strandtown, Belfast as a Magistrate in Down County.<br />
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Thomas VALENTINE, of the parish Holywood, lived at The Moat, Strandtown, and was a Magistrate in 1886.<br />
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Thomas VALENTINE, J.P. of the parish Knockbreda, was a mill owner; appointed a Magistrate on 06 May 1870; rector's church warden at St Columba's Church of Ireland in 1896 and 1898; died in October 1898 (Return of the Names of Persons Holding the Commission of Peace in Ireland; and the book St. Columba's Parish Church 1896-1996, Knockbreda, by Betty Rainsford)<br />
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Thomas VALENTINE, J.P. died in 1898 in County Down.<br />
His grandsons were Capt. T.V.P. MCCAMMON, R.M. GAGE, Cecil F.K. EWART.<br />
Sons-in-law were Col. T.A. M'CAMMON and F.W. EWART.<br />
Nephews were James W. VALENTINE, Louis A. PLUNKETT, Valentine GRAINGER, Henry PURDON and Frank PLUNKETT.<br />
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James VALENTINE lived at The Moat, Strandtown, Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland. A daughter, Ina, died on 11 September 1944. She married Lloyd CAMPBELL in August 1895.<br />
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Thomas VALENTINE lived at The Moat, Strandtown. A daughter, Mary Anne Elizabeth, died on 31 December 1922. She married Frederick William EWART on 14 June 1883.<br />
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David GRAINGER, Esq., of Liverpool, merchant, married Mary in 1860, only daughter of William VALENTINE Esq. of Whiteabbey, Belfast.<br />
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In 1888 William Valentine GRAINGER, only son of David GRAINGER, Esq., of Stanacres, Cheshire, married Sarah Georgina STIRLING.<br />
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17 April 1865 at Carnmoney Church, James W. VALENTINE, Whiteabbey, married Edith Mary, daughter of the late Joseph HILL, and step-daughter of John SHELLY, Esq., H.M. Customs, Belfast.<br />
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In 1892 Ethel VALENTINE, daughter of James W. VALENTINE of Whiteabbey, married Ralph Erskine LANGLANDS.<br />
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Marianne, wife of William VALENTINE, died in 1888.<br />
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In 1894 William VALENTINE died aged 82 at Glenavna, Whiteabbey. He was Manager of Messrs Richardson Bros., Director and Chairman of Northern Bank. Survived by a daughter and two sons, James and Louis VALENTINE.<br />
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In 1860 at York Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Matilda CARUTH married William VALENTINE, storekeeper. William was the son of Thomas VALENTINE, labourer. Children of this marriage included James, William, Alexander and Agnes.<br />
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William VALENTINE in the 1860s was a Justice of the Peace (J.P.), chairman of the Belfast Steamship Company, Director of the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway, Director of the Belfast and County Down Railway, Northern Bank, and William Renshaw & Co. He may be the man in the photograph above, which was taken some time between 1865-1880s. His <a href="http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/WillsSearchImage.aspx?id=209240" target="_blank">Last Will</a> shows that William VALENTINE, late of Glenavna, Whiteabbey, County Antrim, Esquire J.P. Bank Director, died 24 January 1894 at same place. The Will was proved at Belfast by James Wetherald VALENTINE of Colleen Jordanstown, Merchant, David GRAINGER of 5 Chapel Street Liverpool, Ship Owner, and Thomas VALENTINE of Sandhurst Knock County Down Esquire J.P.<br />
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The 1861 directory of Belfast and the Province of Ulster lists William VALENTINE at Avonmore.<br />
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The Ireland Civil Registration Births Index 1864-1958 lists George Fairfield VALENTINE's birth registered in 1870 in Belfast. The Ireland Births and Baptisms 1620-1911 lists his date of birth as 17 November 1870, born at Castlereagh No 1, Antrim, Ireland. His parents are listed as George VALENTINE and Letitia WARDLOW.<br />
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The Ireland Civil Registration Marriages Index 1845-1958 lists Letitia Jane WARDLOW and George VALENTINE's marriage registered in Belfast in 1866. The Ireland Marriages 1619-1898 lists date of marriage as 26 July 1866 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. Her father was Hamilton WARDLOW.<br />
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George and Letitia had the following children:<br />
daughter born 30 Jun 1867 in Belfast<br />
son born 03 May 1869 in Belfast<br />
George Fairfield born 17 Nov 1870<br />
Mary Alice Emma born 17 Nov 1870<br />
Eliza Thompson born 16 Jul 1872 in Belfast<br />
Thomas Hartley born 16 Jul 1872 in Belfast<br />
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The Witness newspaper dated 04 September 1874 listed a birth: VALLENTINE - August 31, at 23 Bruce Street, Belfast, the wife of George Valentine, of a daughter.<br />
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Thomas VALLENTINE of the parish Magheralin, was the son of George VALLENTINE. He was aged 28 when he married Jane SHAW on 16 January 1851.<br />
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There are numerous VALENTINE families in the <a href="http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/" target="_blank">Census of Ireland 1901/1911</a><br />
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There are many unanswered questions. Who was the Honorable Miss BROWNE of Sligo who married a VALENTINE? How and where did George F. VALENTINE meet a Swedish-Russian woman who attended a school for the Russian aristocracy? Was he living in Russia when Selma was born there in 1893. When did he return to Belfast? How did Selma's parents become destitute? Who was the Acting Governor of the Baltic States?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDnUWFSOFWSPuRSjI98QP6mrueqrTpmhZ_MRDFX8PNapRThe4kvO2mJMNtGWxZGTrPZf1cXUe8aQ3dZYOlnLAa4LVHR3wN5KI0sgC05fBmV-s-CYDrfISPRJyE24XImnlBYHwZ-AB-oo/s1600/Sr.FrancesMary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDnUWFSOFWSPuRSjI98QP6mrueqrTpmhZ_MRDFX8PNapRThe4kvO2mJMNtGWxZGTrPZf1cXUe8aQ3dZYOlnLAa4LVHR3wN5KI0sgC05fBmV-s-CYDrfISPRJyE24XImnlBYHwZ-AB-oo/s320/Sr.FrancesMary.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sister Frances Mary</i></td></tr>
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The Miss Frances BANKS mentioned in Selma's Will was a spiritual person. She spent 25 years as Sister Frances Mary of the Community of the Resurrection, in Grahamstown, an Anglican community. She was also Principal of the Grahamstown Training School, and taught Psychology, English and Art. Eventually she left the community and, during the last eight years of her life, she concentrated on her spiritual work. She returned to England, and became a tutor at Maidstone Prison and from this experience wrote her first book, Teach then to live. Frances died in 1962 at the age of 72, from cancer. Her last book, Frontiers of Revelation, was published in 1962 by Max Parrish (London) just before her death. It was an account of her research into psychic and mystical phenomena.<br />
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<a href="http://gttc.co.za/" target="_blank">Grahamstown Training School</a> was founded in 1893 by the Sisters of the Community of the Resurrection, with the help of a Government grant. The College trained female teachers, and played a valuable role in the development of education in southern Africa. Cecile ISHERWOOD was not yet 21 years old when she answered a plea from the then Bishop of Grahamstown, Allan Beecher WEBB, and set sail from London for South Africa on 04 October 1883. Together with a small group of women, she began working among the local community. In 1884 the Community of the Resurrection was founded and Cecile was clothed as a novice in the chapel at Bishopsbourne. She became one of the great educational pioneers of the Eastern Province, touring the country for weeks to find girls for the first classes of teacher training. In1894 Dr. MUIR, Superintendent of Education at the Cape, spoke in Grahamstown about the need for establishing a Training School for elementary teachers in the Eastern Cape. Sister Cecile put forward her plan, and three weeks later the Grahamstown Training School started with eight student teachers and four teachers. From 1894-1896 there were 40 teachers, many only 14 or 15 years old, and from farm schools. They studied up to Std 6 and taught as student teachers in schools under the care of the Sisters. In 1895 there were seven second year and six first year students. In 1903 the Training School became a Training College. In 1931 Sister Frances Mary became Principal. She had been on the staff for eight years, and had recently returned from study leave overseas where she had gained a Masters Degree in Psychology. She retired in 1946. During this time she had also written and published books of her own. The Training College closed at the end of 1975, having trained over 8000 teachers.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-71681555058576936612012-08-11T23:01:00.002+02:002012-08-26T14:52:22.826+02:00BUBBLES SCHROEDER - UNSOLVED MURDER MYSTERY<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSA6q5nrC-pQt8J_PDaHzdt4FJH73vLr3YgtiiL6QE1HIyytA2Dvk7VknLBxbPav6_MA5YD1UEI1T8pJ1neGU3lMSQ_v8pnkjM9ExX1NCcXN5B_0WGYullWLfpuHqz874TGMMqjw1Yb6k/s1600/BubblesSchroeder+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSA6q5nrC-pQt8J_PDaHzdt4FJH73vLr3YgtiiL6QE1HIyytA2Dvk7VknLBxbPav6_MA5YD1UEI1T8pJ1neGU3lMSQ_v8pnkjM9ExX1NCcXN5B_0WGYullWLfpuHqz874TGMMqjw1Yb6k/s1600/BubblesSchroeder+(2).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bubbles Schroeder</i></td></tr>
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Jacoba (Bubbles) SCHROEDER was 18 years old when she was found murdered on 12 August 1949 in Birdhaven, Johannesburg. Her killer or killers, have never been found. She is buried in grave number 519 at Benoni Cemetery.<br />
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She was born in Lichtenburg. Her maternal grandfather, Carl Friedrich Wilhelm HASELAU was born in Lower Saxony on 26 August 1851. He worked as a mercantile clerk in Brandenburg, when he decided to immigrate to the Cape. At the age of 27, Carl and his wife, Justina Sobina LANGE (21), left on 10 October 1877 aboard the Caroline Behn, from Hamburg to Cape Town. The ship’s passenger list shows Carl and Justina from Neu-Meichow (Brandenburg) and that Carl was an labourer (arbeiter). He worked for a Mr. CROSSMAN, who employed him to manage the farm Buck Kraal, near Peddie. Most of the couple's children were born there, and educated by Miss Pinkie HARTLEY. Carl bought some land at Mngquesha near the Pirie Forest in the King William's Town area, where he started a timber business and farmed. He built a school and re-built a church that had been destroyed during the 1876 Frontier War. A grandson, Otto HASELAU, later still lived at Mngqesha. Carl died on 29 December 1918 and Justina on 01 October 1928.<br />
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One of Carl's daughters, Louise Ella HASELAU, married Ernst SCHROEDER. They were the parents of Jacoba, who was born on 08 June 1931. When she was four years old, her mother had to go out to work, and she was cared for by a cousin in Vereeniging until she was 13. In early 1948, she worked for a coal company in Vereeniging but moved to Johannesburg two months later. She got her nickname from Philip STEIN, a 52 year old Jewish bookmaker, that she met at a dance in Orange Grove and then lived with him. He found her to be sweet, except when she was drunk. Early in June 1949, after coming home drunk, he asked her to move out. Shortly afterwards, she moved to Dorchester Mansions in Rissik Street, where she shared an apartment with a friend, Mrs. GRIFFIN, who was a hostess. Bubbles never had a regular job in all the time she lived in Johannesburg. It is believed she entertained men, probably as a dancer or hostess. According to Mrs. GRIFFIN, she spent her days at the beauty parlour and her nights at night clubs.<br />
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On Thursday 11 August 1949, Morris BILCHIK visited Bubbles' apartment and made a date with her for the following Saturday evening. After the date, they went back to his home and she spent the night there. The following Monday, Morris told his friend, David POLLIACK (21), about his date. The two visited Bubbles that afternoon, and they tried to arrange for one of Bubble's friends, Penny, to go out with them that night. Penny was nowhere to be found, so the three decided to go out later. After Morris and David left Bubbles, she went to visit Philip, where she spent the rest of the afternoon having a few glasses of brandy, before returning home at 6 p.m. Morris and David were already waiting for her. She changed into a green dress and refreshed her make-up. The three left at about 7.30 p.m. for David's house, Hlatikulu, in Illovo, as his mother was in Durban at the time. Bubbles went in David's car, while Morris took his own car. Upon reaching the house, David's cousin, Hyman Balfour LEIBMAN (20), was leaving for Houghton to pick up his date. David and Morris invited him to bring his date back to the house to join the party, but Hyman declined as he was taking her to the cinema.<br />
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David asked Irene MIYA, his family's cook, to prepare some food, and at about 9.30 p.m. they sat down to a meal of asparagus soup, chops with chips, and a dessert of tinned peaches. Bubbles also drank a few glasses of brandy and snacked on peanuts. At about 11.15 p.m. Morris left. Bubbles and David listened to records in his room. Not long after he had left, Morris phoned and spoke to Bubbles, and then David. At about midnight Hyman returned from his cinema date. Although he lived in Brits, he often stayed at Hlatikulu when Mrs POLLIACK was away. David told him Bubbles was drunk and he wanted to take her home. Hyman later said he went upstairs to the room and saw that she had been drinking, but was not drunk. She insisted on having another drink. He gave her a brandy. At about 12.30 a.m., Bubbles decided to go home. Her mother was staying with her, she said, and expected her back by 1.00 a.m. At about 1.30 a.m., the three of them walked out onto the driveway. David wanted to take her home, but she got into Hyman's car and wouldn't get out. Hyman drove her home, but before getting there, she wanted to drive. Hyman wouldn't let her, and about twenty minutes after leaving the house, he arrived back at the house alone. He told David she made him stop and let her out, when he refused to let her drive. David got in his car and went looking for her. About an hour later, he returned home, without having found her.<br />
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"Don’t be surprised if you read about my corpse in the morning papers" were the last words Bubbles apparently said to Hyman, as she got out of his car and began the long walk home from the corner of Oxford Road and Corlett Drive in Illovo, to Rissik Street in downtown Johannesburg.<br />
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The next day, Morris phoned David at work. Morris had gone to Dorchester Mansions to see Bubbles, but was told by her mother that she hadn't returned home from her night out. David went to see Mrs. SCHROEDER. Morris, David and Mrs. SCHROEDER drove to Rosebank Police Station to report that Bubbles was missing. Her body was discovered, 30 hours after her death, at Birdhaven by Samuel Ngibisa MOBELA. The plantation was less than a kilometre from the spot where Hyman claimed to have dropped her off. She was lying on her back among burnt-out grass about 30 metres from the road. There were some scratch marks and bruising on her neck. Her handbag, coat and shoes were missing. Dr. J. FRIEDMAN, the Johannesburg District Surgeon who arrived on the scene, noticed the position of the body - it appeared that she had been carefully placed on the ground, suggesting that she had been murdered nearby and then carried into the plantation. Although her shoes were missing, there was neither grass nor soil on the soles of her feet. The bodice of the green dress she wore was slightly ripped and one button was missing. The lower right leg of her stocking was snagged in a number of places. Her panties were torn on the right side, but her black petticoat and black bra were intact.<br />
<br />
The post-mortem revealed that she had not been sexually assaulted, that she was a virgin. In her mouth were some pieces of a hard, clay-like material. Although some of the bits lay deep in her throat, there were no particles in her lungs. Dr. FRIEDMAN examined the contents of her stomach, and this agreed with David and Morris' subsequent account of events on the night of her death. The post-mortem revealed that she was suffering from a condition of the thymus gland which would have caused her to fall unconscious very quickly from slight pressure around the neck. The bruising on her neck indicated that she had been strangled from behind, probably by a scarf, and had scratched herself in an effort to tear it away. Dr. FRIEDMAN concluded that cause of death was asphyxia and inhibition due to the pressure on her throat and the impaction of a hard clay-like substance (similar to that in a heap of builder's lime a couple of metres away) in her hypopharynx. He estimated the time of death as around two o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, 16 August.<br />
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The police launched a large-scale search in the area around Birdhaven, but without success. On 13 October, Hyman and David were arrested in connection with the murder. They appeared in court the following day and were remanded in custody. They were later granted bail of £5 000 and £500 respectively. Their trial began a few days later at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court. The evidence presented by the police was almost entirely circumstantial. The prosecution based its case upon the fact that the men had been with her late on the night of her death. There was no direct evidence to suggest that either of the two men were connected in any way to her murder. They were were acquitted. Their lawyer was Israel (Isie) Aaron MAISELS. He passed away in 1994. One of the police investigators was Colonel Ulf BOBERG.<br />
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The murder made newspaper headlines for more than a year. Benjamin BENNETT, a crime writer for The Argus at the time, suggested that Bubbles probably tried to hitch a lift home and was picked up by a passing motorist. It is still one of South Africa's unsolved murders. Bubbles' father was in Johannesburg after the murder, and in the 1950s the police contacted her mother. Nothing further is known about them since the murder.<br />
<br />
In May 1961, Pierre BOTHA released the Afrikaans film, Die Bubbles Schroeder Storie. It had been turned down for public viewing in South Africa by the Censorship Board in 1960. In 1961 the Board allowed screening only to White audiences over the age of 18 years. By 19 June 1961, it was drawing full houses at all seven drive-in theatres on the Rand.<br />
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E. Bilchik and Co. was established in 1932 in Johannesburg by Efraim BILCHIK. He died in August 1985 and the company was run by his son Morris BILCHIK. In March 1999, Morris BILCHIK (69), owner of an interior decorating company, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court. He was called to testify in the inquiry into the death of Lawrence Keith BENGIS (50) in May 1994. Lawrence worked for the company as an accountant. He was found with five gun shot wounds in his car near the Oriental Plaza Fordsburg, a few days after he had told his wife that he had discovered evidence of fraud at the company. He was rushed to the Garden City Clinic but later died. The investigation into his murder had been dormant, until Peter SOLLER, a Johannesburg lawyer, asked for an inquiry in December 1998.<br />
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In October 2002, David POLLIACK (74), a multi-millionaire, was in the High Court in Pretoria in connection with maintenance payments. He was ordered to pay R30 000 per month to Jenny POLLIACK (43). The couple were married in 1995 and had a son a year later. She was his third wife. David was then a director of at least 12 companies, including United City, POLLIACK Investments, Sandown Mews and Realco. David died in December 2006 in Johannesburg, and was buried at West Park Cemetery.<br />
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In 2012, Rahla XENOPOULOS wrote a fictional account - <a href="http://etrader.kalahari.com/referral.asp?linkid=5&partnerid=12323&sku=44698133" target="_blank">Bubbles</a> tells the story of Bubbles' childhood in Lichtenburg and later life in Johannesburg. Born in the poorer part of Lichtenburg, Bubbles grows up with a bitter mother who takes in laundry to make ends meet and a dull-witted aunt. She has never known her father. Bubbles dreams of a better life for herself and at 16 she moves to Vereeniging to work in a coal agency and is befriended by the sophisticated Winifred Walker. Winnie teaches Bubbles some social graces. Bubbles soon moves to Johannesburg where she is taken under the wing of a middle-aged bookie, Barry. He introduces her to wealthy young men who find her captivating. She is convinced that the perfect beau is about to swoop in and take her away to a grand home and a life of fun and luxury. Bubbles finds that the world to which she aspires turns menacing and, ultimately, fatal. The film rights have been bought by Lisa Bryer, co-producer of The Last King of Scotland.<br />
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Kathryn SMITH is a forensic artist. Her latest exhibition, <a href="http://galleryaop.com/view.asp?ItemID=22&tname=tblComponent3&oname=News&pg=front" target="_blank">Incident Room</a>, was recently on show at the AOP Art Gallery in Johannesburg. She used photos of the location where Bubbles was found, her grave, the suspects, the death certificate, letters, and newspaper reports. She first heard about Bubbles, when she read a book in high school.<br />
<br />
Sources:<br />
For Men Must Work, by E.L.G. Schnell, 1954<br />
Deutsche Wanderung Nach Sudafrika in 19 Jahrhundent, by Werner Schmidt, Pretoria<br />
The evil that men do, by Benjamin Bennett<br />
Loon van die sonde, by Chris Vermaak, Pretoria, 1990<br />
The Boberg Story, by Ulf Boberg<br />
A life at law: the memoirs of I.A. Maisels, QC<br />
Benjamin Bennett Collection 1904-1985, University of Cape Town<br />
Beeld newspaper archivesEditorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-58345321014331737992012-08-08T00:13:00.004+02:002023-07-11T08:25:56.898+02:00A HISTORY OF SNOW IN SOUTH AFRICA 1853 - 1990<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW61bNL0BFXJeDbrGpDymtIPv-C1eE02TgaeoP1JftbEaUaFyeiiCMetNqfI2bJ4ivy9oaKsdTEcZzvwgBdjavz25B8-sQkMCtSTAhwkOL3S1LL6P1u09Hkb9Tghn7iIo70UvWiSBADzY/s1600/snow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW61bNL0BFXJeDbrGpDymtIPv-C1eE02TgaeoP1JftbEaUaFyeiiCMetNqfI2bJ4ivy9oaKsdTEcZzvwgBdjavz25B8-sQkMCtSTAhwkOL3S1LL6P1u09Hkb9Tghn7iIo70UvWiSBADzY/s16000/snow.jpg" /></a></div><div>It snowed over all the provinces of South Africa on Tuesday, 07 August 2012. The people, and the media, went crazy. Not much work was achieved around the country on this day, what with office staff running outside to catch snowflakes and take photos. Some said it was the first time all provinces received snowfalls on the same day - but history tells us otherwise. It doesn't snow often in South Africa, or does it?</div>
<br /><b>03 September 1853</b><br />
A snowstorm occurred in the Eastern Cape. Hundreds of people froze to death in the districts of Graaff-Reinet, Burgersdorp and Somerset East.<br />
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<b>25 June 1876</b><br />
Heavy snowfalls in Kimberley.<br />
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<b>11-14 July 1886</b><br />
Snow fell from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday morning in the Eastern Cape. At Graaff-Reinet the snow was lying 30cm deep, residents who had been living there for more than 60 years had never seen anything like it. At Molteno the snow was 60 cm deep, and there were many stock losses, mainly on the night of the 12th.<br />
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<b>10-12 June 1902</b><br />
The most severe snowstorm to hit the country swept over a large portion of the interior. On the 9th it also snowed on the Palmiet River flats at Caledon. During the next three days snow fell unceasingly in the Karoo, Eastern and North-Eastern Cape, the Free State and Natal. Strong winds accompanied the snowstorm and there were great stock losses. In the North-Eastern Cape, where the snow lay 60 cm deep, tens of thousands of small stock perished. In East Griqualand, the snow lay 1,5 metres deep, and more than 13 000 sheep froze to death. This snowstorm was known as the Peace Snow, as the Anglo-Boer War ended in May 1902.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4JIWByNhqi3irltTsRDcfNu47kAI0gczkU9mO92lz73IxHcTC-_fFxnaCD44Q_DbvuUYwfYOtPXRIbQl12jUHTqaKA4-bYSVDojSrhHq8IEoeD7HSDHm9CbYOwCR8Mo-RyW5XR1AfqY/s1600/Springfontein+Camp+after+heavy+storm+(snow).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4JIWByNhqi3irltTsRDcfNu47kAI0gczkU9mO92lz73IxHcTC-_fFxnaCD44Q_DbvuUYwfYOtPXRIbQl12jUHTqaKA4-bYSVDojSrhHq8IEoeD7HSDHm9CbYOwCR8Mo-RyW5XR1AfqY/s400/Springfontein+Camp+after+heavy+storm+(snow).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Snowball fight at Springfontein Concentration Camp (Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902), Orange Free State<br />Photo contributed by Garth Benneyworth </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>08 August 1906</b><br />
Heavy snowfalls fell over the South-Western Cape. In Upper Roeland Street snowballs were being thrown early that morning. Heavy snowfalls were also reported in Worcester, Touws River and the Langkloof. For the first time in living memory, it also snowed for half an hour in George.<br />
<br />
<b>16-17 August 1909</b><br />
The heaviest snowfall yet was recorded in Johannesburg. It started snowing on the evening of the 16th and carried on through the next day. Snow lay 30-40 cm deep. On the 17th the temperature remained below freezing point all day.<br />
<br />
<b>29-30 September 1913</b><br />
Heavy snow fell on Monday evening and on Tuesday at Venterstad, Lady Grey and Elliot where it lay 30 cm deep in town. Heavy stock losses were suffered. Snow also fell at Kimberley for the first time in 30 years.<br />
<br />
<b>24 August 1914</b><br />
Snow started falling at 10 a.m. that Monday in Great Drakenstein valley and continued until 12:30. The depth of snow varied from about 4 cm in the valley to nearly 8 cm higher up.<br />
<br />
<b>18 July 1915</b><br />
Snow fell in Johannesburg and lay 5 to 7 cm deep. Light falls were reported the next day.<br />
<br />
<b>08-10 August 1917</b><br />
Snow fell intermittently but was washed away by rain.<br />
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<b>07-09 September 1921</b><br />
Heavy snow fell over the eastern interior. At Kokstad it started snowing early on Wednesday morning (the 7th) and continued for 15 hours. On Thursday morning snow fell for many hours at Ladysmith and most of the Natal interior. In the Midlands it was lying 35 to 40 cm deep (Greytown vicinity). At Newcastle the depth was 10 cm. Snow fell at Volksrust and Harrismith. Between Harrismith and Van Reenen snow lay up to 60 cm deep on the rail tracks. More snow fell on Friday (the 9th) over the south-eastern Transvaal and that morning also in Johannesburg.<br />
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<b>15-20 May 1922</b><br />
Heavy snowfalls fell over the interior, in places up to a metre deep. Natal was cut off from the rest of the country for six days. There was also snow in some parts of the Free State.<br />
<br />
<b>11 July 1926</b><br />
Snow started falling in the Witwatersrand early in the afternoon and continued for about three hours. At places in Johannesburg city centre snow lay up to 7 cm deep and telephone wires broke under the weight of snow. Snow fell at Brakpan, Germiston and Krugersdorp where it was measured at 12 cm deep. The eastern Highveld saw light snow falls.<br />
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<b>03-04 September 1926</b><br />
Heavy snowfalls over the south-eastern Transvaal that Friday and Saturday. In Volksrust it lay 20 cm deep. The Wakkerstroom area was covered in a white blanket and large stock losses were suffered. Light snow fell at Klerksdorp. The eastern Free State, Reitz, Bethlehem and Memel also had heavy snowfalls.<br />
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<b>08-10 July 1929</b><br />
On the 4th and again from the 8th to the 10th snow fell over an extensive area of the southern Cape, from Laingsburg / Fraserburg to as far as Middelburg / Cradock, and also at George. At Paardekraal in the Beaufort West district the average snow depth was 60 cm.<br />
<br />
<b>22-24 June 1933</b><br />
Fairly heavy snowfalls were reported on the Hex River mountains and in the central and south-eastern Cape.<br />
<br />
<b>28-29 August 1933</b><br />
Heavy snow fell over the southern and Eastern Cape. In the Eastern Cape farmers lost 50 000 head of small stock.<br />
<br />
<b>26 May 1935</b><br />
Snow fell in the evening in Bloemfontein and over the southern Free State.<br />
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<b>10-11 September 1936</b><br />
Heavy snow, accompanied by strong south-westerly winds, fell over the Eastern Cape, Natal, the eastern Free State, the Highveld, and as far north as Pietersburg. There were heavy stock losses and several people froze to death. On the 11th it snowed all day in Johannesburg.<br />
<br />
<b>24-25 September 1939</b><br />
Heavy snowfalls were experienced in the north-eastern Cape.<br />
<br />
<b>05 May 1940</b><br />
A severe snowstorm, accompanied in many places by heavy rainfall, caused extensive damage in the Eastern Cape, Natal, the Free State and the Highveld. Main line trains between Natal and the Transvaal were delayed for hours. Snow fell at Standerton, Breyten, Ermelo, Piet Retief, Volksrust and other towns in the area.<br />
<br />
<b>10-15 July 1947</b><br />
Rain, snow and gale-force winds were experienced over the southern Cape. The mountains around Ceres were white with snow. A piecing wind blew over the snow-capped hills of the Karoo. On the 14th and 15th it snowed at Uniondale, and at Adelaide it was the heaviest snowfalls seen in living memory, with sheep deep in snow up to their bellies. Heavy snow also fell at Hogsback.<br />
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<b>25 July 1947</b><br />
The mountains at Worcester and the Hottentots-Holland Mountains were already snow-covered early that morning. It also snowed that morning at Noupoort, Coligny and Mafikeng. The heaviest snowfall was over the north-eastern Cape, the southern and north-eastern Free State, the Drakensberg area, the eastern Transvaal and the Natal Midlands.<br />
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<b>06-07 December 1950</b><br />
Yes, it is the height of the South African summer, but snow fell on the Wintershoek Mountains near Tulbagh on the 6th. The next day it snowed in the districts of Murraysburg, Aberdeen and Tarkastad. In Cradock, where it started falling in the morning, the snow was 20 cm deep by 13:00.<br />
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<b>24-25 July 1951</b><br />
Heavy snow fell in the Boland. It snowed on Table Mountain, Devil's Peak, Stellenboschberg and the mountains at Great Drakenstein. The higher mountains towards the interior received the heaviest snowfalls in many years. Loeriesfontein also saw heavy snowfalls, as well as in the Karoo and the Eastern Cape. In Cradock the snow lay 30 cm deep. At Palingskloof in the district snow completely covered fences on some farms.<br />
<br />
<b>29 July 1953</b><br />
Snow fell at Springbok for the first time since 1927.<br />
<br />
<b>13-14 September 1953</b><br />
Large parts of the country were covered by a snow blanket. Several mountain passes were closed. At Sutherland the snow lay 20 cm deep on some farms. De Aar and Venterstad also saw snow. Molteno had the heaviest snowfall in 25 years. At Mount Frere it lay up to a metre deep on the mountains. Heavy snow fell in Natal, as well as the eastern Transvaal. From Bethal to beyond Ermelo it lay 30 cm deep in places. Immense stock losses were suffered. At Dordrecht snow lay 2,5 metres deep, causing road closures.<br />
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<b>01-03 July 1957</b><br />
Heavy snowfalls and rain over northern Natal and the eastern Highveld.<br />
<br />
<b>31 August 1959</b><br />
Heavy snow fell over East Griqualand and the Natal interior. For the first time in 30 years, it snowed in the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg. The Boland and southern Cape mountains were covered in snow. Volksrust also reported heavy snowfalls.<br />
<br />
<b>12-13 September 1959</b><br />
Heavy snow fell on the 12th on the Boland mountains, and later over the areas to the east. In the Eastern Cape cars had to be towed out by tractors, whilst in Volksrust cars were stuck in 60 cm deep snow. On the 13th Bethal experienced its heaviest snowfall, whilst it snowed that afternoon in Johannesburg, Boksburg and the West Rand. That evening snow fell at Voortrekkerhoogte.<br />
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<b>26-28 August 1962</b><br />
After heavy snowfalls on 05-06 May and again on 13-14 June, this rough Cape winter was hit hard on Sunday, 26 August. At Matroosberg, heavy snowfall was accompanied by heavy rain and gale-force winds. The heavy snowfalls spread eastwards over most of the country on the 27th and covered the Karoo, Natal, the Free State and the south-eastern Transvaal. Johannesburg saw its heaviest snowfall since 1936. The Magaliesberg mountains also received snow. Natal saw its heaviest snowfalls in 20 years.<br />
<br />
<b>02 July 1963</b><br />
Heavy rain fell in the Namib region, with snow on the 1st t Aus and on the sand dunes between Aus and Luderitz. Snowfalls up to 60 cm deep were experienced in the eastern interior of South Africa, with the heaviest falls at Standerton, Bethal, Ermelo, Volksrust and Majuba. Snow also fell at Louis Trichardt, Johannesburg and Lyttleton on the 3rd. Wakkerstroom was cut off from the outside world for several days.<br />
<br />
<b>18-19 June 1964</b><br />
The Free State, Eastern Cape, Natal and southern Transvaal saw heavy snowfalls. Several places were isolated, with Bloemfontein hardest hit with snow lying 60 cm deep. The snowfall in Pretoria on the 18th was the heaviest in 30 years. After heavy snowfalls in Johannesburg on the 18th, light snow fell the next day. In the north-eastern Cape there was snow up to the 25th and helicopters were used to bring relief to people and animals isolated for several days. Further snowfalls were experienced during the rest of the winter and as late as the beginning of October.<br />
<br />
<b>31 May 1965</b><br />
Heavy snow fell in the Eastern Cape and Natal. Several farms were isolated. At Dordrecht cars were stuck in snow, and school was closed the next day. The south-eastern Highveld also saw some snow.<br />
<br />
<b>16-18 June 1965</b><br />
Heavy snow again fell in the Eastern Cape and Natal, with several towns being isolated. Middelburg, Cradock, Dordrecht, Barkly East and Maclear saw heavy snowfalls. There were heavy stock losses. The Free State also saw heavy snowfalls.<br />
<br />
<b>18 October 1965</b><br />
Heavy snowfalls caused large-scale disruptions and heavy stock losses in the eastern interior. The Natal-Transvaal border areas had snow more than a metre deep. The Reef also had some snow.<br />
<br />
<b>12-14 July 1967</b><br />
Heavy snow started falling on the evening of the 12th, mostly in the Eastern Cape. Train services were disrupted, mountain passes were impassable and farmers were isolated on their farms. Snow lay up to two metres deep on the mountains. The snow weather advanced eastwards to Natal and also the eastern Transvaal. Johannesburg had light snowfalls on the 14th. South-eastern Transvaal roads were closed.<br />
<br />
<b>03 June 1968</b><br />
Snow fell over many parts of the country during the preceding weekend. On that Monday morning heavy snow fell on the Wolkenberg near Tzaneen, the first time since September 1936.<br />
<br />
<b>11-12 June 1968</b><br />
Snow fell at many places. At Jansenville it was the first snowfall since 1886. Several mountain passes were closed and trains delayed. The Witwatersrand and some parts of Pretoria had snow on the 12th.<br />
<br />
<b>26-27 August 1970</b><br />
The Eastern Cape saw heavy snowfalls, with Queenstown by hardest hit.<br />
<br />
<b>06-07 December 1970</b><br />
Another summer snowfall. Heavy snow fell on Sunday the 6th on the Cape mountains. Several mountain passes were closed such as the Swartberg Pass, Loostberg Pass and the road across Wapadsberg. The eastern Free State and Natal saw unprecedented heavy snowfalls.<br />
<br />
<b>11 August 1972</b><br />
The southern Cape saw record snowfalls. It snowed in George for the first time in many years that Friday afternoon, with streets and gardens covered by 7 cm of snow. The Knysna forests had heavy falls, as did the Langkloof where snow lay 45 cm deep. Table Mountain was covered in 50 cm deep snow. Widespread snowfalls had occurred earlier that winter. <i>On 30 April it snowed in all four provinces</i> and on 25 June snow fell near Knysna. Heavy snow fell on 30-31 July over many areas, including Zululand where it had not snowed for 50 years.<br />
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<b>19 August 1973</b><br />
Widespread heavy snowfalls at Graaff-Reinet, Middelburg and Queenstown. For the first time in this century, it snowed at Bedford, Adelaide and Seymour.<br />
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<b>20 June 1976</b><br />
Following snowfalls on Table Mountain and Boland mountains, heavy snow fell that Sunday over large parts of the Eastern Cape. For the first time in living memory it snowed early that morning in Grahamstown, where the snow lay 17,5 cm deep.<br />
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<b>10-11 August 1976</b><br />
The Koue Bokkeveld saw some of its heaviest snowfalls for many years. Two of the three mountain passes leading to Ceres were closed. At Sutherland, the only things visible above the snow-covered ground were patches of Namaqualand daisies.<br />
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<b>23 August 1977</b><br />
The eastern Highveld received heavy snowfalls that Tuesday evening, as far north as Sabie. The Long Tom Pass was closed.<br />
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<b>07-08 July 1981</b><br />
The Cape experienced heavy snowfalls. Porterville and Ladismith were hit. At Pearston the snow lay 15 cm deep.<br />
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<b>28-29 August 1981</b><br />
Again heavy snowfalls over large parts of the Cape. De Aar saw its heaviest snowfall on Saturday the 29th. Aberdeen and Beaufort West received their heaviest snowfalls in 50 years. At Van Wyksvlei snow lay 30 cm deep. Pofadder, Upington, Kenhardt, Keimoes and Kanoneiland also received snow. Several mountain passes in the Eastern Cape were closed.<br />
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<b>10 September 1981</b><br />
Large parts of the interior received heavy snowfalls on that Thursday, including the Long Tom Pass, Amersfoort, Bethal, Witbank, Standerton, Ermelo, Springs, Delmas and Vanderbijlpark. In Johannesburg, where it snowed all day, it lay 15-20 cm deep. Pretoria also had some snow in the morning. Trains were delayed, hospitals had to use emergency power, and flights to and from Jan Smut International Airport were cancelled. Hundreds of telephone poles between Harrismith and Warden bent under the weight of snow.<br />
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<b>01-02 July 1982</b><br />
The Eastern Cape and parts of the Free State had heavy snowfalls. Several mountain passes were closed. Light snow fell at Johannesburg on the morning of Friday the 2nd.<br />
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<b>13-14 June 1984</b><br />
The Eastern Cape had heavy snowfalls on the 13th, with several mountain passes closed. The Natal Midlands were covered in a thick layer of snow. On the 14th it snowed at Volksrust, Memel, Vrede, Bethlehem and Kestell.<br />
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<b>11-12 July 1985</b><br />
The southern and eastern Cape was hit with heavy snowfalls. In Sutherland the streets were covered in a 5 cm deep layer. The snowy weather spread on the Friday to Natal, the Free State and the Highveld. Snow fell at Volksrust, Standerton, Bethal and Wakkerstroom. Mountain passes on the main routes between Natal and the Transvaal were closed.<br />
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<b>17-18 June 1987</b><br />
The Eastern Cape received heavy snowfalls. Several mountain passes were closed. In the Cradock district snow lay 30 cm deep. On the 25th snow fell in the eastern Free State and Drakensberg mountains.<br />
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<b>19-20 July 1987</b><br />
Heavy snow fell in the Boland on the 19th. At Sarelskop near Tulbagh it had not snowed for many years. Table Mountain was lightly covered in snow. On the 20th it snowed in the Karoo, Eastern Cape, the eastern Free State, Natal and the south-eastern Transvaal. The Oliviershoek and Naudeshoek Passes were closed. Snow also fell at Long Toms Pass. Harrismith saw its heaviest snowfall in many years. Zastron had last seen such heavy snowfall in 1954. Light snow fell in the evening of the 21st in the Johannesburg vicinity.<br />
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<b>25-26 August 1987</b><br />
After heavy snowfalls in the Natal interior and on the Maluti and Drakensberg mountains on the 15th and 16th August, heavy snow fell again in the eastern Free State and the Natal interior. The roads leading to Memel were closed and farmers had to shovel snow off their roofs to prevent damage. About 32 cm was measured at Van Reenen. Matatiele and Cedarville also received heavy snowfalls. In Fochville it snowed for the first time since 1967.<br />
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<b>26-28 September 1987</b><br />
After snow fell on the night of Saturday the 26th in the north-eastern Cape, Sterkstroom, Dordrecht, Elliot, Molteno, Barkly East and Ugie were cut off from the outside world for several days. Dordrecht had snow lying up to a metre deep by Monday and suffered large stock losses. A passenger train was trapped in the Eastern Cape, several mountain passes were closed and towns isolated. Hikers were trapped in the Drakensberg and were rescued days later by helicopter. In Lesotho, helicopters had to ferry fresh water to isolated villages.<br />
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<b>28 May 1988</b><br />
The north-eastern Cape received heavy snowfalls. At Dordrecht, where it snowed all day, the noon temperature was still 0°C. At Elliot the snow lay 10 cm deep.<br />
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<b>08 June 1988</b><br />
The southern and eastern Cape mountains had heavy snowfalls. In the Swartberg Pass snow lay 1,5 metres deep.<br />
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<b>12 June 1988</b><br />
It snowed on the Naudesberg east of Graaff-Reinet, and the mountains of Cradock as well as the Kouga mountains in the Langkloof.<br />
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<b>27-28 June 1988</b><br />
It snowed at Bloemspruit and on the smallholdings east of Bloemfontein, in the eastern Free State and the south-eastern Transvaal. The border posts to Lesotho were closed.<br />
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<b>09-10 July 1988</b><br />
Heavy snow fell on Saturday the 9th, on the Boland mountains, the Swartberg and the Outeniqua mountains. It also snowed on the Hantamberg at Calvinia, the Kamiesberge at Leliesfontein and the mountain peaks near Springbok. Heavy snow fell that evening at Somerset East, Pearston, Cradock and Dordrecht. From early on the Sunday morning heavy snow started falling over Natal, from Kokstad to Newcastle. At Bulwer it lay so deep that windows were covered in snow. Underberg and Himeville were isolated. At Nottingham Road the snow lay 30 cm deep. Ladysmith received its heaviest snowfall since 1922. The N3 and all mountain passes in the Drakensberg were closed. It snowed all day at Wakkerstroom. Volksrust had a layer 15 cm deep. More than 500 000 people in the mountainous areas of Lesotho were cut off and the South African government assisted with air transport of emergency supplies. Numerous mountain climbers were rescued by the South African Air Force.<br />
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<b>16-18 July 1989</b><br />
A cold front, accompanied by heavy snow in places, moved across the sub-continent. Snow fell as far north as the Karonnaberg mountains, north of the Olifantshoek in the northern Cape. Snow also fell over Namaqualand, Bushmanland up to Prieska, Kimberley and Bloemfontein. Many mountain passes were impassable and many schools were closed.<br />
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<b>04-05 September 1989</b><br />
The Koue Bokkeveld saw its heaviest snowfalls in 20 years. The Du Toitskloof Pass and Mitchell's Pass were closed.<br />
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<b>August 1990</b><br />
Heavy snowfalls occurred over the month in the eastern and north-eastern Cape, Natal, the Drakensberg, and the south-eastern and eastern Transvaal. The Lootsberg and Wapadsberg Passes were closed. On the 29th heavy snow fell in the Underberg, Himeville, Matatiele, Jamestown, Dordrecht, Indwe and Elliot.<br />
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<b>15-18 October 1990</b><br />
Snow fell on the mountains at Uniondale, Middelburg and Graaff-Reinet on the 15th. On the 18th it snowed at Graaff-Reinet, Middelburg, Cradock and Dordrecht, spreading to parts of Natal and the eastern Free State. Van Reenens Pass was closed to heavy vehicles. Peach and apricot crops in low-lying orchards in the eastern Free State were damaged by the cold.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-65663390387560605812012-08-07T19:59:00.000+02:002012-08-07T19:59:37.092+02:00CHAD LE CLOS, SOUTH AFRICA AND MAURITIUSAlong with his winning son, Chad Guy Bertrand LE CLOS, Bert made headlines all over the world during the 2012 London Olympics. A BBC-TV interview with Bert straight after Chad won his gold medal, went viral on the Internet within hours. A new word was coined for Olympic parents - MADS (Mums and Dads). Bert, his wife Geraldine, and younger son Jordan, were pool-side for Chad's winning performances in the 200m butterly (gold) and 100m butterfly (silver).<br />
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Marie Joseph Bertrand (Bert) was born in Curepipe, Mauritius, one of 10 children born to Guy LE CLOS and his wife, Claude Giblot DUCRAY. Guy and Claude were married in Curepipe, Mauritius. The family moved to Durban, South Africa, after Bert's fifth birthday in the 1950s. Claude was the daughter of Marie Guy Felix Giblot DUCRAY (1893 - 17 Nov 1972 in Plaines Wilhems, Mauritius) and Therese Simone BARBEAU (died 16 Mar 1989 in Curepipe). Claude was the sister of Paul Giblot DUCRAY, a former bodybuilder and public figure in Curepipe. Guy was a former Secretary-General of the Mauritius Sports Association. Chad's great-uncle, Henry LE CLOS, was the Mauritian national shotput champion for many years. Some of the LE CLOS families left Mauritius for Australia.<br />
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Chad was born on 12 April 1992 in Durban. He attended Penzance Primary School and Westville Boys' High School, matriculating in 2010. He started competitive swimming at the age of 10. He also enjoys surfing, and was a speedy left-winger in school soccer. He’s the second-youngest of Bert's four children - Bianca, Justin (28), Chad and Jordan (14). Bert and his first wife, Corinne, had a daughter, Bianca (now 34). She is married to Pedro MATOS and they have a son, Rocco. After the divorce, she lived with her mother in Pretoria and later Port Elizabeth. Bert owned a butchery, Bert's Meat Market.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-64056490417055931382012-08-07T01:36:00.000+02:002012-10-28T02:43:55.732+02:00COEDMORE CASTLE, THE STAINBANK FAMILY AND WAR EVACUEESWhen you think of a castle, you probably think of England or Europe. South Africa has a few too, although not connected to Royalty. <a href="http://amazon2.co.za/index.html" target="_blank">Coedmore Castle</a> is today situated in the Stainbank Nature Reserve in Yellowwood Park. It was built in 1882 by Dering Lee Warner STAINBANK, who arrived in Durban from England on 24 July 1857 onboard The Lady of the Lake. The ship was owned by his father and grandfather, along with the Lady Franklin. His brother, Henry Ellerton STAINBANK, had gone to Natal in 1855. After scouting a site for a home, Dering chose a spot on the south bank of the Umhlatuzana River. He used two Scottish stone masons from Aberdeen to build the house, using stone quarried on-site. Three years later, the castle, with tower and battlements, was completed. The castle remains unchanged, except for the installation of electricity and running water. The rooms have steel-pressed ceilings and carved panelling. A circular iron staircase leads to the tower room above the battlements. The original furnishings and household contents are still used. Coedmore Castle has remained in the family for four generations.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Coedmore Castle</i></td></tr>
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Dering was born on 03 March 1841 in Elm Grove, Peckham, Surrey. His parents were Richard Henry STAINBANK (born circa 1808 in Boston, Lincs; died 15 July 1882 in Brighton) and Mary ESSEX (born 01 November 1806 in Pancras, London; died March 1882 in Brighton). Dering died on 13 July 1907 at Coedmore. He married Ethel LYNE (born 1869/70 in Pietermaritzburg) on 08 October 1889 and the couple had seven children. The boys attended St David's School in Greytown and Michaelhouse. The girls went to St. Anne's Diocesan College in Hilton. The children were:<br />
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1) 2nd Lieutenant William Dering STAINBANK was born on 18 September 1891. He died on 08 April 1916 during service with the Royal Field Artillery. He was buried at St John the Baptist Churchyard, Broughton, Lancashire. William had also served in German South West Africa.<br />
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2) 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Reeve STAINBANK was born circa 1894. He died on 20 July 1917, age 23, during service with the Royal Field Artillery. He was buried at Ypres, Belgium. He served in the German South West Africa War, after which he went to England and was gazetted to the Royal Field Artillery.<br />
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3) Kenneth Lyne STAINBANK born circa 1895<br />
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4) Christopher STAINBANK was born on 03 April 1897. He died on 10 June 1938. On 29 November 1921, he married Kathleen Edith SPEIRS (born 09 June 1902, died 30 October 1980)<br />
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5) Mary Agnes STAINBACK was born in 1899, eldest daughter. She died in 1966.<br />
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6) Edith STAINBANK<br />
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7) Edward STAINBANK<br />
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Upon his mother's death in 1942, Kenneth Lyne, the third son, inherited the castle. His two elder brothers were killed in World War I. Kenneth's daughter, Elizabeth KEITH, lives at Coedmore.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mary Agnes Stainbank</i></td></tr>
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Many of the castle's rooms contain sculptures by Mary Agnes STAINBANK, Dering and Ethel's daughter born in 1899 at Coedmore. In 1922 she enrolled at the Royal College of Art in London, obtaining her diploma in 1925. She also attended a school of engineering in London to study bronze foundry work. Mary returned to Natal in 1926, and had a studio at Coedmore where, between 1926 and 1940, she produced many sculptures. During Word War II she worked in a military drawing office. After the War, she lectured at the Durban School of Art until she retired in 1957. She died in 1966 in Durban.<br />
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In the early 1940s Kenneth decided to establish a nature reserve for the people of Natal, and his offer of land was accepted by the Administrator of Natal in 1946. In 1949, during the African-Indian Riots in Durban, more than 2000 Indian men, women and children took refuge at Coedmore, before being put into refugee camps. Kenneth created the township of Yellowwood Park where the first houses were built in 1960. The adjoining 253ha was proclaimed the Stainbank Nature Reserve in 1963. Today it has 13km of walking trails, a 10km biking trail and a picnic site. Coedmore Castle is open to the public, and tours are conducted by appointment for groups of 10 or more, which include tea and scones in the Grand Dining Room. The grounds are often used for weddings and functions.<br />
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Henry Ellerton STAINBANK was born on 21 February 1836 in Peckham, Surrey. He died on 15 July 1915 in Pietermaritzburg. After his arrival in Natal in 1855, he spent a short time in business in Durban, before moving to Coedmore where he cultivated coffee. He did this for 13 years and was known as Natal's Coffee King. He was also manager of the Natal Coffee Works in the Umgeni Valley for 12 years. He retired in 1883, living in Durban. In 1886 he was elected to represent the Durban constituency in the Natal Legislative Council. In 1892 he was elected Speaker, serving until 1897. He married Eliza MUNRO in 1858 and they had four daughters and three sons. Henry is buried in the Anglican Section of Commercial Road Cemetery, Pietermaritzburg. Eliza died on 19 February 1912 and is also buried there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Coedmore Dairy</i></td></tr>
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In 1940 Roy UWINS (10) and his brother Gordon (12) were put on the Children's Overseas Reception Board by their parents. This Board was set up by the British government to evacuate children abroad during World War II. They said farewell to their parents and two siblings on 19 August 1940 at East Croydon railway station. The children were equipped with gas masks and name labels, and set off for Holt School in Liverpool, before boarding the Llanstephan Castle on 24 August 1940. The four week voyage saw the 308 children divided into groups, each with an escort. The two boys' escort was Vera CROCKER. They sailed in in a large convoy for four days. The ship stopped at Freetown to refuel, spending two days there. It docked in Cape Town on 20 September 1940, and the children were taken to the Governor-General's residence for a welcoming ceremony and photographs. Some of the children were placed with families in the Cape Town area. The two boys were part of a group taken to the Cape Jewish Orphanage until arrangements could be made for them to go to other families around South Africa. During their two week stay, the children were taken on trips to Hout Bay, Muizenberg and Paarl. They travelled by train to Johannesburg via Kimberley. Most of the group got off in Johannesburg, and about 20 continued on to Durban. The two boys were placed with Ethel STAINBANK at Coedmore, where they spent the next five years. At that time, the farm was run mainly as a dairy farm, with two STAINBANK sons and their families living on the farm with Ethel. After Ethel's death in 1942, the unmarried Edith STAINBANK became the two boys' surrogate mother. The family kept up with the war's progress by radio and newspapers, and were also involved in fundraising for the War Effort. The boys received letters from home, and were allowed three radio broadcasts to their family, as well as sending airgraphs (single sheet letters that were microfilmed and sent by air). When the war ended in 1945, the two boys left Coedmore in August 1945. They boarded the Mauretania in Durban, but the ship's doctor noticed Roy's health records mentioned an unknown tropical disease and he refused to let the boys sail. They were returned to Coedmore for another six months where Roy recovered fully, and in January 1946 they boarded the Caernavon Castle, arriving in Southampton. They took a train to Waterloo station where their parents met them. The Board, which began in May 1940, was cancelled after the City of Benares was torpedoed on 17 September 1940 with the loss of 71 child evacuees to Canada. The Children's Overseas Reception Board evacuated 2664 children, 1532 to Canada, 576 to Australia, 353 to South Africa and 203 to New Zealand. It was known as Operation Pied Piper. It is believed that another 15000 children went by private arrangement, over 6000 to Canada and the remainder to the United States. A history and detailed account of the Board is documented in the book, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1857765567/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1857765567&linkCode=as2&tag=sugampspiampa-20%22%3EThe%20Absurd%20and%20the%20Brave:%20Corb%20-%20The%20True%20Account%20of%20the%20British%20Government%27s%20World%20War%20II%20Evacuation%20of%20Children%20Overseas%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sugampspiampa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1857765567%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">The Absurd and the Brave</a>, by Michael Fethney.<br />
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If a child was evacuated via Operation Pied Piper, the billeting officer's register for their original home area would be at the County Record Office or public library. It lists the child's name, date of birth, home address, parents' names, foster parents' names and address as well as the date of departure. In 2009, a commemorative service was held at London's St Paul's Cathedral to mark the 70th anniversary of the evacuation. The Evacuees Reunion Association organised the event, which was attended by 2000 people. About 3.5m people, mainly children, were evacuated from 1939 to 1945. Of the 1.5m citizens evacuated as part of Operation Pied Piper, 750 000 were children on their own.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-57487739122950495722012-07-22T20:06:00.001+02:002015-03-06T22:09:20.240+02:00DANIEL RADCLIFFE'S SOUTH AFRICAN FAMILY CONNECTIONThe British actor, Daniel RADCLIFFE, star of the Harry Potter movies, has some South African roots, as well as Polish, Russian, Jewish and Northern Irish roots. Daniel's maternal grandfather was South African, and his mother was born in South Africa. According to Daniel, his grandfather was not a pleasant man, and his grandmother fled with their 2-year-old daughter to England on a South African Airways flight in 1960.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Daniel and his mother.<br />
Image from fanpop.com</i></td></tr>
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Daniel Jacob RADCLIFFE was born on 23 July 1989 at Queen Charlotte's Hospital, London, the only child of Alan George RADCLIFFE (literary agent, and originally from Northern Ireland) and Marcia Gresham JACOBSON (casting agent). They were married in 1984 in London. Alan is the son of Teddy RADCLIFFE and Elsie May. Marcia was born in 1958 in South Africa, and was raised in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. She used the GRESHAM surname instead of JACOBSON. She was a talented ballerina, having won 10 trophies and several medals by the age of 11. Her parents, Wilfred JACOBSON and Muriel Jean Patricia GRESHAM, were married in 1956 in Paddington, London. Muriel was born on 10 May 1922 in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, the daughter of Samuel GERSHON and Raie Diana JACOBS. Wilfred was the son of S.H. JACOBSON. Muriel sailed to South Africa from London on 05 March 1957 onboard the "City of Durban". Her address in the ship's passenger list was given as 2 Milton Court, Station Rd, Westcliff, England. Wilfred and Muriel divorced in South Africa in 1958. She uses the name Patricia and lives in Essex, where she is an artist. There is a Wilfred JACOBSON who was born 18 Sept 1919 and died in 1994 in South Africa, divorced, but I have not yet confirmed that it is the same person as Daniel's grandfather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/bg/Daniel+Dashes+yLCIkxkRNVOl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/bg/Daniel+Dashes+yLCIkxkRNVOl.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Daniel and his father</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was a Wilfred JACOBSON, age 20, who sailed from Durban on the "Pretoria Castle", arriving in Southampton on 18 Jan 1952. Other passenger lists show Isaac Wilfred JACOBSON, age 42, sailed on the "Stirling Castle" from Durban, arriving in Southampton on 06 May 1938. He sailed agin, age 52, from Durban on the "Cape Town Castle", arriving in Southampton on 19 Mar 1948. He sailed again from Durban on the same ship, arriving in Southampton on 25 Apr 1952.<br />
<br />
But impossible to know the ancestors of his father at the moment, apart from the famous "Great Uncle Ernie" killed in action during the Battle of Loos in France and his grandmother Elsie May Radcliffe (wife of the late Teddy Radcliffe), died in 2008.<br />
<br />
Daniel's paternal grandmother was Elsie May, born in Banbridge. She lived in Cline Walk and died on 02 October 2008 at Craigavon Hospital, after taking ill at a church concert. Some of her family live in the Dromore area. Elsie is survived by her daughter Linda MCWILLIAMS (Dromore, married to Drew), son Alan (married to Marcia), three grandchildren Daniel, Stephen and Philip, and two sisters Jean WYLIE (Banbridge) and Eileen REID (Tandragee). Alan was a former pupil of Banbridge High School.<br />
<br />
Daniel's great-uncle, Ernie, on his father's side, died at the Battle of Loos in France during World War I. Daniel played the role of Jack KIPLING, the 18-year-old son of writer Rudyard KIPLING, killed in the same battle. This was the ITV1 drama My Boy Jack.<br />
<br />
Samuel GERSHON was a jeweller, born in 1894 in Hackney, London to Louis GERSHON and Jessie LIPMAN. Louis and Jessie married circa 1886, and emigrated from Eastern Europe to England, via Cape Town. Their children, John, Annie and Julia were born in South Africa. Louis was born in 1861 in the town of Wreschen by Posen, Germany, and died in 1919 in Hackney, London. Jessie was born in 1864 in Lurig, Poland, and died in 1941 in Hendon, Middlesex.<br />
<br />
1901 England Census<br />
Street Address: 93 Downs Road, Hackney<br />
Lewis GERSHON, age 42, born circa 1859 in Germany, dealer in jewellery<br />
Jessy GERSHON, age 36, born circa 1865 in Russia<br />
John GERSHON, age 14, born circa 1887 in Cape Town, South Africa<br />
Annie GERSHON, age 12, born circa 1889 in Kimberley, South Africa<br />
Julia GERSHON, age 10, born circa 1891 in the Orange Free State, South Africa<br />
Samuel GERSHON, age 7, born circa 1894 in Hackney, London<br />
Alfred GERSHON, age 5, born circa 1896 in Hackney, London<br />
Marie GERSHON, age 3, born circa 1898 in Hackney, London<br />
David GERSHON, age 4 months, born circa 1900 in Hackney, London<br />
Lizzie HANNON, age 26, born circa 1875 in Southampton, domestic servant<br />
Lily GREEN, age 22, born circa 1879 in Hackney, London, domestic servant<br />
<br />
1911 England Census<br />
Street Address: 138 Clapton Common, Hackney<br />
Louis GERSHON, age 50, born circa 1861 in Germany, diamond merchant.<br />
Jessie GERSHON, age 47, born circa 1864 in Russia<br />
Annie GERSHON, age 22, born circa 1889 in Kimberley, South Africa<br />
Julia GERSHON, age 20, born circa 1891<br />
Samuel GERSHON, age 17, born circa 1894, jewellers's apprentice<br />
Alfred GERSHON, age 15, born circa 1896 in London, jeweller's apprentice<br />
Marie GERSHON, age 13, born circa 1898 in London, scholar<br />
Edward GERSHON, age 11, born circa 1900 in London, scholar<br />
Gladys GERSHON, age 7, born circa 1904 in London, scholar<br />
Harry GERSHON, infant, born circa 1911 in London<br />
Gertie STREETER, age 15, born circa 1896 in London, domestic servant<br />
Caroline TAYLOR, age 29, born circa 1882 in Walthamstow, domestic servant<br />
<br />
Samuel GERSHON married Raie Diana JACOBS in 1921 in Rochford, Essex. She was born on 14 Sept 1895, the daughter of Emmanuel JACOBS, a fruit salesman. Samuel died in 1936 in Hertfordshire. Raie died in 1977 at Southend-on-Sea. Emmanuel was born 1867/8, the son of Charles Abraham JACOBS, a greengrocer, and his wife Miriam. Emmanuel married Julia JACOBS, the daughter of Frederick JACOBS, a fruiterer of Brixton, and his wife Sarah. Emmanuel died in 1937 in Essex.<br />
<br />
1901 England Census<br />
Street Address: 22 Tavistock Place, St Giles<br />
Emanuel JACOBS, age 33, born circa 1868 in Strand, London, fruit salesman<br />
Julia JACOBS, age 28, born circa 1873 in Strand, London<br />
Maire JACOBS, age 6, born circa 1895 in Strand, London<br />
Sadie JACOBS, age 5, born circa 1896 in Strand, London<br />
Raie JACOBS, age 3, born circa 1898 in Strand, London<br />
Charles JACOBS, age 5 weeks, born circa 1901 in St Pancras, London<br />
<br />
1881 England Census<br />
Street Address: 60A Atlantic Road with 1 and 2 Vining Street<br />
Frederick JACOBS, age 34, born circa 1847 in St Giles, Middlesex, Fruiterer (Master, employing 2 men and 1 boy)<br />
Sarah JACOBS, age 36, born circa 1845 in Covent Garden, Middlesex<br />
Julia JACOBS, age 9, born circa 1872 in Covent Garden, Middlesex, Scholar<br />
Hannah JACOBS, age 7, born circa 1874 in Covent Garden, Middlesex, Scholar<br />
Louisa JACOBS, age 4, born circa 1877 in Covent Garden, Middlesex<br />
Adelaide JACOBS, age 2, born circa 1879 in Covent Garden, Middlesex<br />
Annie YOUNG, age 22, born circa 1859 in Windsor, Berkshire, Nurse Domestic Servant<br />
Eliza EDWARDS, age 20, born circa 1861 in Scotland, General Servant<br />
Sophia PHILLIPS, age 18, born circa 1863 in Middlesex City, Middlesex, Visitor<br />
<br />
1911 England Census<br />
Street Address: 15 Long Acre W C, Strand<br />
Charles Abraham JACOBS, age 73, born circa 1838 in Cove<br />
Mariam JACOBS, age 68, born circa 1843 in Field<br />
Henry JACOBS, age 38, born circa 1873 in Cove, Commission Agent<br />
Hannah Elizabeth JACOBS, age 28, born circa 1883 in Cove, Home Assistant<br />
Marie Rose JACOBS, age 25, born circa 1886 in Cove, Dressmaker<br />
Lillian Maud JACOBS, age 23, born circa 1888 in St Martins, Milliner<br />
Gladyse OVERTON, age 17, born circa 1894 in Stow, Domestic Servant<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaty-YXvSdwcJREM5Q70kUv391_NEmizcoE-YBswj2REjCrZV9YdZmUGI9V9uQtDBBWLXaTvOpqLq8HjksdtEAqbsa84KYN9vUSFLbCiAUf2fIvD_kWcCr7kw-bj8zVid3Wp4pguQKkw/s1600/harrypottercradock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaty-YXvSdwcJREM5Q70kUv391_NEmizcoE-YBswj2REjCrZV9YdZmUGI9V9uQtDBBWLXaTvOpqLq8HjksdtEAqbsa84KYN9vUSFLbCiAUf2fIvD_kWcCr7kw-bj8zVid3Wp4pguQKkw/s200/harrypottercradock.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Harry Potter in Cradock</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In an unrelated (so far) story, a real Harry POTTER died on 27 July 1910 at the age of 46 in South Africa. He was buried in the Cradock Cemetery. He was the husband of Blanche Elizabeth BRUCE, who died on 29 December 1942 at the age of 82. The inscription on the tombstone reads: "In Sacred Memory of Harry Potter - died July 27 1910. Aged 47 years. I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee." This Harry was related to the 1820 British Settlers.<br />
<br />
There is also a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333853/Grave-real-life-Harry-Potter-killed-71-years-ago-A-tourist-attraction-fans.html" target="_blank">Harry POTTER</a> near Tel Aviv. Corporal Harry POTTER was a 19-year-old British soldier in the Royal Worcestershire Regiment, who died in 1939 during fighting in Hebron and was buried in Ramle, south of Tel Aviv.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-1217733874745490202012-07-14T10:51:00.000+02:002012-07-14T10:51:36.910+02:00SOUTH AFRICA'S FIRST OLYMPIANSSouth Africa’s official participation in the Olympic Games only started in 1908, not 1904. The 1904 representation was not an official team. It was referred to as the "Boer team" and they took part in the tug-of-war. Two "Zulus" accompanied the team, and once there, became the first Blacks from Africa to take part in the Olympic Games. According to the Official Report of the Games by Charles J.P. LUCAS, there were three marathon runners - LENTAUW and YAMASANI from Zululand, and Robert (Bob or Bertie) HARRIS from the Transvaal. These people were all part of the Boer War Spectacle at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. The Boer War Spectacle was held from 17 June until 01 December 1904. The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, took place at what is now known as Francis Field on the campus of Washington University. Athletes from 13 countries entered. Of the 625 athletes, only eight were women.<br />
<br />
St. Louis planned a World’s Fair for 1904 to commemorate the purchase from France a century before, of the Louisiana territory. The International Olympic Committee gave Chicago the third Olympiad in 1904. After much discussion, Chicago agreed that it would be better if St. Louis hosted the Games too. On the Witwatersrand, a daily newspaper, the Rand Daily Mail dated 01 March 1904, ran a notice: "Boer War Exhibition, A chance for the unemployed! £4 per month and deductions." Those interested contacted the South African Boer War Exhibition Company in Pretoria. Soon there were 300 Boer veterans and 250 British / Colonial veterans signed up. They were to reconstruct at the World’s Fair two Anglo-Boer War battles and General DE WET's escape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD0AiSkBha5b0vgx6xYmHKwGxKUHS-XgoatZLTB_D2bKSqyxcIJwQNIOzgjh_73EMPzEmd11Lsi2o3aGQAEBxqOiRMsXQPZhwUQsvMvo6h-G_W9XjpMYqrjgyTpchPYnaRDnJAq-4RIU/s1600/boerwarshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD0AiSkBha5b0vgx6xYmHKwGxKUHS-XgoatZLTB_D2bKSqyxcIJwQNIOzgjh_73EMPzEmd11Lsi2o3aGQAEBxqOiRMsXQPZhwUQsvMvo6h-G_W9XjpMYqrjgyTpchPYnaRDnJAq-4RIU/s400/boerwarshow.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
This company was created by Captain Arthur Waldo LEWIS of St. Louis, who had fought in the Anglo-Boer War with the Rhodesians. He arrived at the Cape shortly after the war broke out, and joined the Bushveld Carbineers. He was wounded at Mafeking, earning his Captain rank. Arthur had General Ben VILJOEN's support in staging this show. Henry MEYER, the owner of a building company in Pretoria and a former St. Louis resident, was in charge of getting financing via the selling of shares in the company. Three thousand shares were sold in the USA, and 2000 in South Africa. The "team" were to each receive £4 per month and free passage to the USA with free medical and accommodation. A bonus of £25 would be paid at the end of show for good behaviour. After the show, they had the choice to remain in the USA or pay their own way back to South Africa. Arthur would be in charge of organising the British contigent and General VILJOEN the Boers. The British contigent was made up of British, Australian, Canadian and Colonial former soldiers.The General's assistants included Commandants J.N. BOSHOFF, P.D. MOLL, G.M.J. VAN DAM, G. MARE and Captain A.H. BLEKSLEY. Arthur was assisted by Major W. STEWART and Captains S.H. CHAPIN, F.J. FRANKLIN and E.W. DIX. Arthur recruited General Piet CRONJE for the show. Frank E. FILLIS, the well-known circus boss, was made a director. He recruited about 50 Blacks, and collected the props for the show, including 600 horses. He was assisted by George PRESCOTT, his assistant at the Fillis Circus.<br />
<br />
On Sunday 06 March 1904, a train departed from Braamfontein with 150 Boers, including Gen. CRONJE, for Delagoa Bay, where they boarded the Doune Castle. In Cape Town, the British contigent joined the ship, and they all left on 12 March for the USA. The number of participants is not accurately known. Some sources state 320, of which 200 were Boers, others say 500. In the Cape Times newspaper dated 21 Dec 1904, Arthur states there were 418 participants onboard, but this number did not include the Black recruits, said to be 24. The show's programme stated "all persons taking part in this military display, 600 in all, are men and women brought from various and distant parts of South Africa". It also stated that 200 were British / Colonial.<br />
<br />
Gen. VILJOEN and Arthur sailed via London to St. Louis in November 1903. The Doune Castle arrived in Newport News, Virginia, on 06 April. They were met by a South African living in the USA, Luscombe SEARELLE, who was put in charge of finances. The group travelled to St. Louis by train. Britain had objected to the show via diplomatic routes. This caused some shareholders to pull out of the company. ventually, Henry J. MEYER of Pretoria and various St. Louis businessmen raised $100 000 to save the show, and the first show was finally held on 17 June.<br />
<br />
On 08 August, the newspapers reported that R.W. HARRIS from "Aliwal South, Cape Town" was a well-known middle-distance runner and that he was in daily training for the Olympic marathon. Robert HARRIS was from Aliwal North, born in 1884.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZg8bpAtzg4taHTo-c0gQVine3WMyBy48sxjWOvTkvhQqHzKm1Xw9ZoXVHy0PLqWFqMcnWCzc0W-mL-GzhXKaN_tgufxHoB-9UTiWw7zg8hTKafN2dC_YevJPqmWD5PiSTZK0canjTnI/s1600/olympics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZg8bpAtzg4taHTo-c0gQVine3WMyBy48sxjWOvTkvhQqHzKm1Xw9ZoXVHy0PLqWFqMcnWCzc0W-mL-GzhXKaN_tgufxHoB-9UTiWw7zg8hTKafN2dC_YevJPqmWD5PiSTZK0canjTnI/s400/olympics.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
The two "Zulus" were not from Zululand, but more likely Tswanas from the Western Transvaal. Gen. Piet CRONJE was from Tswana country. After his surrender at the Battle of Paardeberg, his wife and some of his Black servants accompanied him into exile on St. Helena Island. There are photos of Len TAU as a Boer prisoner-of-war on St Helena. Their names were phonetically noted in many versions in the American newspapers and the official programmes. Their correct names were Len TAUNYANE and Jan MASHIANI. The only official photo of the two, held by the Missouri Historical Society, notes them incorrectly. The barefooted Len TAUNYANE should be the taller of the two, with the number 35 on his chest. The official programme stated that they had been messengers for the Boers during the war. The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported that they were dispatch runners for the British Army during the war.<br />
<br />
The official programme for the marathon race, shows B.W. HARRIS in number one, and LENTAUW and YAMASANI in numbers 35 and 36 respectively. There were 38 competitors, of which only 32 took part. The marathon, over 40 kilometers / 24.85 miles, started on Tuesday 30 August and was run in hot and dusty conditions. The runners started in two rows, HARRIS being in the front row and the two Blacks in the back row. HARRIS dropped out of the race before having covered 15 miles. LENTAUW finished ninth and YAMASANI twelfth. According to the St. Louis Daily Globe-Democrat, LENTAUW was chased by a dog. It is possible that the Globe-Democrat confused the two runners. According to the race results published by Bill MALLON, Lentauw was 12th at five miles, 16th at 10 miles, 14th at 15 miles and 13th at 20 miles. Yamasani at five miles was 14th, at 10 miles he was 23rd, 15th again at 15 miles and in 14th place at 20 miles. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported they ran barefooted, but the official photo taken prior to the race, shows only LENTAU barefooted.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuoWEPsOgJHXHllbcgK887_iKkzIvDNplVh9zAQ4mbQKqmSE2tofJZNFJ00Znr2TUPCkUlBeV9lb5jSOvDQUtZqsFw-Uz2PbNvfvhcDqWQPbuRYL2Oaz_wEYW01yHMbbjYn2DP_vGOus/s1600/LenTau+POW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuoWEPsOgJHXHllbcgK887_iKkzIvDNplVh9zAQ4mbQKqmSE2tofJZNFJ00Znr2TUPCkUlBeV9lb5jSOvDQUtZqsFw-Uz2PbNvfvhcDqWQPbuRYL2Oaz_wEYW01yHMbbjYn2DP_vGOus/s400/LenTau+POW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Len Tau, second from left, as a Boer prisoner-of-war on St. Helena Island</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The participants in the tug-of-war event were Pieter WILLEMSE, Pieter LOMBARD, Johannes SCHUTTE, Paulus VISSER and Christopher WALKER. The team placed 5th, having lost to the Milwaukee Athletic Club.<br />
<br />
At the International Olympic Committee meeting in July 1907 a motion that the four British colonies - the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, the Orange River Colony and the Transvaal - should be allowed to participate at the Olympic Games in London under the umbrella name of South Africa was tabled. This motion was accepted. The Union of South Africa was only formed three years later – on 31 May 1910. On 03 January 1908 a National Olympic Committee for South Africa was established, with its first president the mining magnate Henry NOURSE, an athlete in his youth.<br />
<br />
Although time was short to organise enough funds to send a representative team to the Games in London, the South African Olympic Committee nominated a team of fifteen. This team consisted of seven athletes, four cyclists, three tennis players and a fencer. The team wore green with the Springbok emblem on the chest. More than 2000 athletes from 22 nations took part. Reggie WALKER, a 19-year-old from Natal, was South Africa's first gold medal winner, taking the 100 metres in 10,8 seconds. Marathon runner Charles HEFFERON won a silver medal.<br />
<br />
<b>Athletics:</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOJoMWAlNMRsBFAuFRlIuXimbLNcDw-Iw5B6mZwex6UIP0X5AFZ_ZDtgX6RJ94C9qRNcVsDCxqX_3dtl0ViPYwXTNhIkwnlXh0o2X7fC8HbNtW9Yf5JPNxcUpcYiKVnJmmxwLfxP-0y0/s1600/Walker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOJoMWAlNMRsBFAuFRlIuXimbLNcDw-Iw5B6mZwex6UIP0X5AFZ_ZDtgX6RJ94C9qRNcVsDCxqX_3dtl0ViPYwXTNhIkwnlXh0o2X7fC8HbNtW9Yf5JPNxcUpcYiKVnJmmxwLfxP-0y0/s320/Walker.jpg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Reggie Walker, South Africa's first<br />
gold medal winner</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1) Reginald (Reggie) Edgar WALKER was born on 16 March 1889 in Durban, the son of Samuel Ogden WALKER of Manchester. He died on 05 November 1951 in Durban. He was married to Sarah Ann WORSLEY of Manchester. He attended Boys Model School in Durban. The couple had one son and lived at 21 Cambridge Drive, Durban North.<br />
<br />
2) Edward (Eddie) John DUFFY was born on 06 June 1883 in Ryno. He died on 19 October 1918 in Johannesburg.<br />
<br />
3) Herbert (Bertie) Thorne PHILLIPS was born on 20 June 1883 in Pretoria, the son of George PHILLIPS. He died on 05 August 1977 in Pretoria.<br />
<br />
4) Charles Archie HEFFERON was born on 15 January 1878 in Newbury, West Berkshire, England. He died on 15 March 1931/3 in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. He came to South Africa during the Anglo-Boer War as a member of the South African Constabulary, and stayed on until 1909. At the time of the Games he worked as prison warden in Bloemfontein. After the Games he moved to Canada.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI5RupBR_nuzG9d8JEpQ68ealecKHZUMU9A0FEPq_3WUHSNK1At-ian-WOfDjc4Hqej7zhlo2lHsfbpUMQnRtx_BdOx3DVCw7vC7m2Pwo5Fptw5q-jbieqCfBj-rR8LTGmLGpoe8z4jg/s1600/Hefferon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI5RupBR_nuzG9d8JEpQ68ealecKHZUMU9A0FEPq_3WUHSNK1At-ian-WOfDjc4Hqej7zhlo2lHsfbpUMQnRtx_BdOx3DVCw7vC7m2Pwo5Fptw5q-jbieqCfBj-rR8LTGmLGpoe8z4jg/s400/Hefferon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Charles Hefferon, South Africa's first silver medal winner</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
5) James Mitchell BAKER was born on 14 February 1878 in Glasgow, Scotland. He died on 14 December 1956 in George, Cape. He served in the Anglo-Boer War, First World War and Second World War. His medals included the C.B., C.B.E., and D.S.O. He was ADC to the King, Chief Staff Officer in South West Africa, seconded to British Army, served in Egypt, Flanders and France. He returned to South Africa in 1920. He was married to Madge GAYLARD.<br />
<br />
6) Douglas (Doug) Annesley David STUPART was born on 30 March 1882. He died on 06 May 1951. He was married to Mabel BREMNER.<br />
<br />
7) John (Vincent) Andrew de Villiers DUNCKER was born on 09 November 1884 in Wepener. His father was a German who immigrated to the Transvaal in 1880, where he married a Boer woman and had two sons and one daughter. After 10 years in Transvaal he lost his German civil rights and became a citizen of Transvaal, as did his children. After the Anglo-Boer War, in which he and his sons were involved, they returned to Germany in 1903 and again were granted German civil rights. When Vincent competed in the 1906 Olympics, he did so for Germany. After he finished his studies in 1907 he returned to South Africa and was entered for the 1908 Olympics for South Africa, but was unable to start due to a severe attack of rheumatism. He married Johanna GRILL. They divorced in 1919. He died in South Africa.<br />
<br />
<b>Cycling:</b><br />
8) Floris (Floors) T. VENTER was born in 1886.<br />
<br />
9) Philippus (Philip) Thomas FRYLINCK was born in 1886 in Graaff-Reinet. He died on 15 December 1908. He was married to Magdalena Susanna.<br />
<br />
10) Frank SHORE was born in 1887.<br />
<br />
11) Thomas (Harry) Henry Eddy PASSMORE was born on 19 June 1884 in Grahamstown, the son of John Frederick PASSMORE. He was an engineer by profession. He died on 08 May 1955 in Pretoria. He was married to Elizabeth SCHRODEL.<br />
<br />
<b>Tennis:</b><br />
12) Harold (Harry) Austin KITSON was born on 17 June 1874 in Richmond, Natal. He died on 30 November 1951 in Umkomaas. He was married to Nora Ethel Frances WOOD.<br />
<br />
13) Victor Reginald GAUNTLETT was born in 1884 in Forest Hill, Greater London, England. He died on 12 February 1949 in Witbank. He was married to Mabel Fanny PECK.<br />
<br />
14) John P. RICHARDSON was born in 1874 in Madagascar.<br />
<br />
<b>Fencing:</b><br />
15) Walter Percy / Price GATES was born in 1874. He died in 1939 in the Transvaal. He was married to Wilhelmina Mary HOREIS on 05 March 1901 in Cape Town. He was an Officer in the Mercantile Marine.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-80809187719878737192012-07-07T03:43:00.001+02:002013-03-11T22:02:01.657+02:00SAVE PILGRIM'S RESTThe tourist town of Pilgrim's Rest in Mpumalanga is facing sure closure after 17 businesses were ordered to close their doors by month end. The businesses were issued with eviction notices last Friday by the province's Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport. The town is owned and run by the Department of Public Works, and business owners lease the properties. The historic gold mining town dates back to the 1800s. The conservation of Pilgrim's Rest as a cultural and historic asset began in 1974 when the provincial government purchased the town from mining company Barlow Rand. In 1986 the village of Pilgrim's Rest and the farm Ponieskrantz, on which the village is situated, were declared National Monuments. Tourism is the backbone of the small town's economy.<br />
<br />
Sharon PATERSON, owner of Ponieskrantz Arts and Craft as well as the Pilgrim's Pantry shop, said her staff are very worried, and locals are devastated by the news. She will have to issue notices of termination of employment to her 50 employees, after running the two shops for the past 20 years. Her employees manufacture stained glass doors, lamps, chandeliers and hot-glass jewellery.<br />
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The Department's spokesman, Dumisa MALAMULE, said the department advertised the leasing of the buildings on tender bulletin in October and the closing date was in November. The leases of all business which were on tender had expired, according to him. The tender process was finalised in June 2012. Resident Isabel JACOBS said that not one business owner’ was informed beforehand that their business was up for grabs. They saw the advertisement in the Government Gazette in November. All the business owners attended the tender meeting, and submitted their tender documents. Sharon also tendered for the leases in November, but since then they have not heard anything from the Department, until they received eviction notices. Pilgrim's Rest Golf Club manager, Henry VAN NIEKERK, was shocked when three "aggressive" Public Works officials gave him a four-sentence letter to vacate the the golf course. He refused to sign for the letter. Royal Hotel manager, Chris AUTY, said they have not been affected as the hotel is run on behalf of the government. Pilgrim's Rest Tourism officer, Sherry GOODWIN, who also serves on the local Chamber of Commerce, believes that the motivation behind the closure of these businesses was to transform the economy by giving tenders to previously disadvantaged business people.<br />
<br />
The Department awarded 21 building leases to 14 successful bidders, of which only five are existing business owners elsewhere. The awarding of multiple leases to five bidders has raised suspicion over the tender process. Many of these bidders are alleged not to have start-up capital or the relevant business licences. The list of awarded tenders includes Matletle Construction and Projects cc, awarded five leases to run Mrs Mac's Shop, Pilgrim's Pantry, the Pilgrim's Rest Golf Course, The Daisy, and the Pilgrim's Rest Caravan Park. This close corporation only has one member, Suzan Patricia KHOZA. Timbhulu Construction and Projects cc has been awarded leases for Mona Cottage, The Vine, and Chaitow's Restaurant. This close corporation also only has one member, Rachel Tsakane KHOZA. Urizima 83 cc was awarded Pilgrim's Place and the Leather Shop. Mangwanyane Trading was awarded the leases for the petrol station, Highwayman's Garage, and Scott's Cafe.<br />
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The Chairman of the Pilgrim's Rest Chamber of Business, Marius BRUMMER, who lost the bid for the Highwayman's Garage, said Mangwanyane did not have the necessary capital or licences to run the petrol station. He said directors of the firm had asked him to help them run the business "because they definitely do not have the capital". You also need to have a site licence and a retail licence, which they do not have that. The existing licences are in Marius' name. The law states that to purchase and retail fuel, you need a licence from the Department of Energy. The new occupier will need R1.5 million to fill the tanks and pay security to BP. The town's only ATM is part of the petrol station. Marius will have to give notice to his 11 staff members, after 10 years of operating the business.<br />
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Johnny REINDERS has operated The Vine and Johhny’s Pub for 18 years. He is well-known for his knowledge of the village and its history. His business was awarded to Timbhulu Construction and Projects. He said he consulted his lawyer in January and was prepared to go to court to fight for his business. His lease is valid until December 2015.<br />
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From 01 August, 18 businesses will have new occupiers, of which 16 are new to Pilgrim’s Rest and have never operated a business there. The new occupiers will be moving into empty shells, as they were only awarded leases for the business premises, not the furniture or other goods, which remains the property of the current business owners. According to the new lease agreements, tenants must also pay three months rent up front.<br />
<br />
Belvedere Metal Crafts – JM Chaplin<br />
Clewer General Store – Highwayman’s Garage (was Marius Brummer)<br />
Mrs Mac’s Shop – Matletle Construction and Projects<br />
Highwayman’s Garage – Mangwanyane Trading<br />
Old Print Shop – Kensington BEE (PTY) LTD<br />
Pilgrim’s Pantry – Matletle Construction and Projects<br />
Pilgrim’s Place – Urizima 83 CC<br />
Ponieskrantz Arts and Crafts – Silver Ruby Trading 1037 CC<br />
Old Stables – Lorraine Swanepoel<br />
Mona Cottage – Timbhulu Construction and Projects<br />
Scott’s Café – Mangwanyane Trading<br />
Golf Course – Matletle Construction and Projects<br />
The Daisy – Matletle Construction and Projects<br />
The Iron Store – Shan Paton<br />
The Leather Shop – Urizima 84 CC<br />
The Vine – Timbhulu Construction and Projects<br />
The Royal Liqour Store – Ligcabho Le’Africa Trading<br />
Africa Silk – Nosibusiso Kock<br />
Central Garage – NNA Gape Trading and Project<br />
Caravan Park – Matletle Construction and Projects<br />
Chaitows – Timbhulu Construction and Projects CC<br />
<br />
The new occupiers are not obliged to employ former staff members. By the end of the month, these local employees will be out of jobs, with no prospects in sight. Hendry NONYANE was born in Pilgrim’s Rest. The 66-year-old man has been working at the Highwayman’s Garage since 1982. He is the breadwinner of his household and has two children who are still at school. He also sends money to five family members in Bushbuckridge every month.<br />
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The Democratic Alliance in the province has called on Mpumalanga's Premier to investigate the process. The Freedom Front Plus wants the Public Protector to investigate the tender process too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjDqqisS2IrMMliQeHcL9W9dQ0D_AMAE-UrphaoPEjxNIRY3sot_DzIkeFp4KtFyj-hcBrpPCgwepfiCzZ1dETOLzkA7S7sTY9pxHvNRDh-RTLisRPjacrxWLlyoobhh1p2yzVkqJqy4/s1600/wheelbarrow_patterson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjDqqisS2IrMMliQeHcL9W9dQ0D_AMAE-UrphaoPEjxNIRY3sot_DzIkeFp4KtFyj-hcBrpPCgwepfiCzZ1dETOLzkA7S7sTY9pxHvNRDh-RTLisRPjacrxWLlyoobhh1p2yzVkqJqy4/s400/wheelbarrow_patterson.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wheelbarrow Patterson</i></td></tr>
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The history of Pilgrim's Rest dates back to 1873 when a miner, Alec PATTERSON, discovered alluvial gold on the farm Ponieskrantz. He had left the Mac-Mac area to search for a place that was less congested. By the end of 1873 there were close to 1000 diggers at the Mac Mac diggings. Alec PATTERSON was a loner, who pushed his possessions around the area in a wheelbarrow, earning the nickname Wheelbarrow Patterson or Wheelbarrow Alec. He came to the area from the Kimberley fields. The discovery was kept secret, until prospector William TRAFFORD also discovered gold near by. He registered his claim in September 1873 at the Mac Mac office of the Gold Commissioner, Major W. MACDONALD, an American. Soon there were over 200 gold diggers and prospectors from all over the country and the world. Pilgrim's Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field on 22 September 1873. By early January 1874, the Gold Commissioner moved his office to Pilgrim's Rest. Within a year there were 21 stores, 18 canteens and three bakeries. The collection of tents grew with brick houses, a church, a newspaper (Gold News, founded in 1874, and renamed The Gold Fields Mercury) and the Royal Hotel. Besides the diggers, there were also tradesmen, storekeepers, canteen owners, rogues, sinners and saints, barmaids, and parsons. By 1896 many of the tents had been replaced by permanent buildings.<br />
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William TRAFFORD is said to have called it Pilgrim's Rest, as that was where the diggers hoped to find their dreams and make a home. It is also claimed in the Rev. Gerald HERRING's book, The pilgrim diggers of the seventies, published in 1949, states that Alec welcomed newcomers with the words "Here comes another pilgrim to his rest." and that is where it got its name. By the end of 1873 there were about 1500 diggers working 4000 claims in and around Pilgrim's Rest. No digging was permitted between sunset and sunrise or on Sundays. The valley was rich in gold with large finds made at places like Breakneck Gully, Brown's Hill, Golden Point, Peach Tree Creek, Poverty Creek, and Starvation Gully. After the first Anglo-Boer War, won by the Boers after the battle of Majuba in 1881, the Volksraad (Transvaal Government) granted concessions to individuals and companies.<br />
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In 1881, David BENJAMIN, a London financier, obtained the mining rights to Pilgrim's Rest and the surrounding area. He set about compensating the remaining diggers for their claims. He consolidated all his claims and formed the Transvaal Gold Exploration Company. In 1895, the company amalgamated with other smaller companies, to form the Transvaal Gold Mining Estates (TGME). The alluvial deposits were eventually depleted and many left or turned to forestry. Gold mining in Pilgrim's Rest ceased in 1972.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEZRAXzva8XIJJ2QSaj2Wcctsjuyjl7tW3Nx7Bk0BmOA4v0YD5rL7_RcmpdtHGaoJZ2leuXz7WijNJrs5E7ANtlOBiGj9I0B04YYzXdOrUfk5op3DlV5R3qiQ-UpYYZPcyny-e6OY45w/s1600/main+str+1910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEZRAXzva8XIJJ2QSaj2Wcctsjuyjl7tW3Nx7Bk0BmOA4v0YD5rL7_RcmpdtHGaoJZ2leuXz7WijNJrs5E7ANtlOBiGj9I0B04YYzXdOrUfk5op3DlV5R3qiQ-UpYYZPcyny-e6OY45w/s400/main+str+1910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Main Street circa 1910</i></td></tr>
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During September 1901, General Ben VILJOEN established his headquarters at Pilgrim's Rest. It comprised the Lydenburg Commando of about 400 men under Commandant David SCHOEMAN, and 500 Johannesburg burghers under the General's brother, Commandant W. VILJOEN. About 40 families still lived in Pilgrim's Rest at that time. The town's women made clothes for the Boers from curtains and the linen they had at home. While spying on the British forces in the mountains, Michael Joseph COONEY, an Irish-born American, saw gold amalgam at the deserted mines. He told his Irish compatriot, Willy H. BARTER. Various members of the Johannesburg Commando had worked on the gold mines before the war. The gold ingots cast by the Boers were not acceptable to some people, they wanted real money as currency. In February 1902 the Volksraad gave permission for minting gold pounds, and the Munt te Velde (Mint in the Field) came into being. The production of Veldpond and the Veldpond Medals took place in the workshop of TGME at Pilgrim’s Rest. The team, appointed by Andries Gustav Erlank PIENAAR (from Krugersdorp), to make the coins included:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Michael COONEY, essayer for testing the purity of the gold</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Dick GRAHAM, experienced in handling the crucible for melting the gold</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">William George REID, a blacksmith who worked in Johannesburg gold mines, to adapt the machinery of the Transvaal Gold Mining Estates for the process of minting gold coins, and to soften and harden the dices</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Petrus Johannes KLOPPERS, a teacher from the Netherlands who taught in Barberton and had training in botany and drawing, for designing the coin and engraving the dices</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Others involved included General MULLER, A. MARSHALL and W.H. BARTER.</span></li>
</ul>
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On 22 November 1899, Michael Joseph COONEY was found guilty of culpable homicide by the Circuit Court for Soutpansberg. He was sentenced to five years in prison. He had acted in self-defence, and the Pietersburg residents lodged a petition calling for his release on the grounds that "Mr Cooney is a man of good and honourable character". He also wrote a letter to the Volksraad pleading for his release. The prison warden sent the petition and the letter, with his own recommendation that prisoner 302 be given special pardon in view of the political situation in the country. Soon after peace was declared, British Intelligence Officer took Michael into custody on the following grounds:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">He disguised himself as a prospector to spy on the British military during the Anglo-Boer War,</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">During the war, he took a battery from the house of the Pietersburg Gold Mine Engineer, DAMANT, to give to Carel CRAEMER (a young German who fought on the side of the Boers) to be used for the ignition of dynamite to blew up trains carrying the British,</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">He made a bomb for General Ben VILJOEN to blew up the Spekboom River, to prevent the British from entering Pilgrim's Rest,</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">He scraped gold amalgam from the copper plates at the gold mines in the Lydenburg area and gave it to the Boers.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
The Intelligence Officer asked his Captain in Pretoria, what to do with Michael. He was told that no further action was necessary, and the man could be released.<br />
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Michael was born in Galsworth, Ireland in 1844 to Patrick and Margaret COONEY. His father died at the age of 102. Michael was one of 13 children. He immigrated to America, first settling in San Juan County, where he worked at the Black Wonder mine. At some stage while there, his sister, Beatrice, visited him. She met and married Carroll THOMAS. Michael next worked near Lake City, Colorado. He later moved to Leadville, Colorado, where he became involved with the New Years mine, which he later sold. Next, he moved to Cassell, Montana, where he worked in silver mines. He later moved to the Whitlach Union and McIntyre gold mines in Unionville, Montana. After this, he decided to head for Europe and later went to Ireland and then found his way to South Africa. He remained in South Africa until 1904, returning to America. He moved to the Oroville district in Butte County, California, where he bought the acquired the Bank Mine Company with a partner. Michael married twice, first to Annie TAYLOR, and then to Emma ERFURTH. He died some time between 1908 and 1929.<br />
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Hendrik (Harry) Wilhelm STRUBEN and Pieter Jacobs MARAIS bought the farms Ponies Krantz and Driekop, but sold them just before the gold rush. Ponies Krantz became Pilgrim's Rest. Harry went on to be appointed the first President of the Chamber of Mines in 1887. In 1889 he retired to Cape Town, where he died at the age of 75, in 1915.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mrs Mac's Shop</i></td></tr>
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Maud Mary PURCELL was the first white child born in Pilgrim's Rest on 25 August 1874, to John PURCELL and Mary Ann. In 1872 her parents arrived in the Mac Mac area from Kimberley. They later moved to Pilgrim's Rest. In 1878 the family moved to Swaziland for a short while, but returned to Pilgrim's Rest in 1880. Maud married William Herbert LILLEY on 12 June 1898. They had three children, a son and two daughters, including Sheila Mary Marguerite. Sheila married MACFARLANE. She became the owner of Mrs Mac's Shop. In 1905 it housed the Royal Hotel's off-sales, then was rented as a chemist in 1913, but later became the general dealer. In 1978, Sheila was the oldest resident of Pilgrim's Rest when she left the town. William died in 1903, and in 1909 Maud married William Price GRIFFITHS (he died in October 1945). They had two daughters. After his death, Maud moved to her daughter, Mrs. FRASER, in Witfield, Boksburg.<br />
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The first transport service to Pilgrim's Rest was William LEATHERN's wagon, which travelled to Lydenburg every weekend. He claimed that he never left anyone at Lydenburg no matter what his condition. In the 1880s the Zeederberg Coach Service arrived, which also served as the mail service.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Robber's Grave</i></td></tr>
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The Old Cemetery contains the famous Robber's Grave. This unknown man was caught and convicted of tent robbing on the diggings during 1873-1876. A was banished from the town, but a few days later he was spotted on a hill, now known as Cemetery Hill. He was shot and killed, and buried where he fell. His grave lies north-south to brand him forever a thief. All other graves lie east-west. No burial records were kept until 1911. The earliest marked grave is of a man crushed by a boulder on his claim in 1874. There are 320 known graves but only 163 have headstones or markers. Most are simply marked out with stones. The There are many nationalities of people buried in the cemetery - Englishmen, Swedes, Australians, Welshmen, Afrikaners, Indians, Italians, Germans, Canadians and Tasmanians to name but a few. Drowning, suicide, mining accidents, malaria, alcoholism, murder, snake bites, pneumonia and dysentery took its toll. The great flood of 1909 claimed the lives of at least 15 people. A large number of inhabitants succumbed to the influenza epidemic of 1918.<br />
<br />
Miss MCNALLY was the daughter of the owner of the Pilgrim's and Sabie News. In 1910 the first issue of the Pilgrim’s and Sabie News was published, and continued until the mid 1940s. The printing office was originally a house built before 1900. A school operated from 1894 to 1917, with six teachers at one stage (including Harry COLES and Mrs. PATTERSON), and between 160 to 180 students. In 1913, Miss MCNALLY's class included:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Allen MACKENZIE, the Post Master's son</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Donald MENZIES, the Chemist's son</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Violet CHARLTON, whose father worked at Driekop</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Christie MARKUS, later known as Oom Christie</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Frankie BERETTA</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Boris CHAITOW, the hairdresser's son</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">James DOIG,</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">two SHEPPARD sisters</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Susanna POTGIETER</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
J.H. DE BEER was a well-known pioneer. He built a number of houses in Pilgrim's Rest, including Rose Cottage. During the Anglo-Boer War he was involved in the Siege of Ladysmith. He owned a butchery and bakery.<br />
<br />
R.W. RICHARDSON had the government contract to transport travellers from Graskop to Pilgrim's Rest, as well as mail deliveries from Zeederburg Coach Services.<br />
<br />
Charles H. CHAITOW was the hairdresser and tobacconist, as well as the agent for Central News Agency and a book shop. Like most shop owners then, the family lived at the back of the shop. He died 05 July 1933, age 57.<br />
<br />
The first White woman in the area was Mrs. Tom MCLACHLAN, who lived in a stone house at Mac Mac. She was already there in 1872, and helped many travellers stricken with fever. Mrs. DIETRICKS, wife of a German officer, arrived with her husband in 1873. He was the assistant to the Mining Commissioner. They had two daughters, including Elsa who married SMITHERS and wrote a book about her life in Pilgrim's Rest, March Hare.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9vd0us1TYpMFcMRsZVQDNhBMN3l0UJWK4JU5rZBT3ZQrC5yH1QHSPqigI_A3CnU4obdvIoM-oYUeAfwsGHwfu2zfVotcc5stc5vnOZtc_Pc1bYCi6TOzwbzbEfcQcjR5bNsVHkL-AHo/s1600/elizabeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9vd0us1TYpMFcMRsZVQDNhBMN3l0UJWK4JU5rZBT3ZQrC5yH1QHSPqigI_A3CnU4obdvIoM-oYUeAfwsGHwfu2zfVotcc5stc5vnOZtc_Pc1bYCi6TOzwbzbEfcQcjR5bNsVHkL-AHo/s320/elizabeth.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Elizabeth Russel</i></td></tr>
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Elsa recalled the story of Elizabeth RUSSEL who lived in a tent on the diggings and worked her own claim. There were two RUSSEL girls - Elizabeth (Bessie, born 29 May 1850 in London) and Annie - daughters of Mr. H.B. RUSSEL, a resident in Heidelberg and Pretoria, and a miller and merchant in the 1870s. The family came to South Africa in 1855, settling in Pietermaritzburg, where the father ran Boston Mills. The girls attended Cheltenham House School in Pinetown. After school, Elizabeth became a governess and later taught at Caversham. The family moved to Heidelburg, and Elizabeth ran a private school in Harrismith. Alfred (Tucker) was the girls' brother, whom Elizabeth followed to the diggings in defiance of her father. They pitched their tent next to the DIETRICK family, who were friends of their parents. Later, with no luck on their claims, Elizabeth set up a business making sausage rolls and ginger beer. Soon afterwards, her brother left, and she moved to another camp. Here she finally found rich pickings, and together with another brother, Harry, they did well. Elizabeth married one of her fellow diggers, the American William A.B. CAMERON. The wedding was at St Alban's Church in Pretoria on 12 December 1874 and was attended by President Thomas BURGERS, who proposed the toast to the couple. Soon afterwards, William was elected to represent the Lydenburg diggers in the Volksraad. In 1876, the couple visited America as representatives of the ZAR at an international exhibition in Philadelphia. After their return, the couple separated, and Elizabeth looked after their five children. William died in 1905. She died in May 1931 in Volksrust. Her grand-daughters included Mrs. D.W. BOSCH, and a great-grand-daughter, Mrs. Joan MARSH.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: center;"><i>Mail Coach</i></td></tr>
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In 1912 the second Zeederberg Coach robbery took place on Pilgrim's Hill. The highwayman was Tommy DENNISON. He had come to South Africa from Ireland as a Private during the Anglo-Boer War, as a bugler and dispatch rider for the Earl of Athlone. He was discharged after being wounded on active duty. Tommy moved to Pilgrim's Rest and found work as a barber but the business did not do well. Next, he employed Black women and started a laundry service, but he landed in heavy debt. On the day of the robbery, the coach was stopped by a masked rider on a grey horse that Tommy had recently bought from the Reverend Maurice PONSONBY. When Piet DU PLESSIS, the coach driver, was ordered to throw down the money boxes, one box fell and burst open scattering silver half crown and florins on the ground. Instead of gold sovereigns, like the 1899 robbery, he only found a case of silver coins in the coach. When he started to pay his debts with the stolen money, he was arrested and imprisoned for five years in Pretoria Central Prison. He returned to Pilgrim's Rest and worked as a cartage contractor for the mines. Later he opened the Highwayman's Garage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMf-QuFA7Jg44SnJ1UKvqtIM_ClIuyz4Njjj_VY3lnAyS9vj08_W9jqOUvwPZKJq3LZ5FhuyxafXlI50SJRvawyPd8e8cCBNNhB_kJs90zQoQqaJ_QJs9wVo1SaemTeaChNYhRHARV-M/s1600/highway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMf-QuFA7Jg44SnJ1UKvqtIM_ClIuyz4Njjj_VY3lnAyS9vj08_W9jqOUvwPZKJq3LZ5FhuyxafXlI50SJRvawyPd8e8cCBNNhB_kJs90zQoQqaJ_QJs9wVo1SaemTeaChNYhRHARV-M/s400/highway.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Highwayman's Garage</i></td></tr>
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North of Pilgrim's Rest, built in 1915 by Transvaal Gold Mining Estates, Alanglade was the residence of the mine manager until 1972 when the last mine was closed. The large and graceful double-storey is now a period house museum and furnished with items from the early 1900s.<br />
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Dredzen Shop Museum is a typical general dealer store of the period 1930 to 1950. The home and lifestyle of the post second World War years can be seen in the owner’s residence adjoining the shop. The Miners House Museum was built in 1913. Central Garage was built in 1926 as an agency for Chevrolet Motors. It also provided bus tours to the Kruger National Park, sold Pegasus petrol, rented vehicles and rendered a panel-beating service.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-34960171630219917332012-07-03T19:15:00.000+02:002012-07-03T19:15:13.728+02:00HERITAGE SYMPOSIUM IN PAARL 04-06 OCT 2012The <a href="http://www.heritagesa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=248:symposium-programme&catid=2:news" target="_blank">10th Annual Symposium of Heritage South Africa</a> will take place in Paarl from 04 to 06 October 2012, hosted by the Drakenstein Heritage Foundation. The symposium theme is "From survival to opulence in 100 years: the rise of the Cape Dutch manor house". Social historians, researchers, architects and restorers will discuss the social and economic history of the Valley and its influence on the development of Cape homesteads. The symposium will trace the development of the Cape from its geological beginnings, through the earliest inhabitants, to the arrival of the Dutch East India Company. Guests will visit 18th century sites in town and surrounding farms. The symposium, in the hall of the Toringkerk, will be of interest to members of heritage societies and anyone interested in heritage and cultural history.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-83140020433984092562012-07-03T19:00:00.001+02:002012-07-03T19:00:24.479+02:00ARCHIVING WORKSHOP IN PAARL 28-30 AUG 2012An<span style="background-color: white;"> archiving workshop will be offered at the </span><span style="background-color: white;">Afrikaanse Taalmuseum in Paarl from Tuesday 28 August 2012 to Thursday 30 August 2012. The workshop is </span><span style="background-color: white;">suitable for librarians, museum and heritage workers, records staff and archive assistants. </span><span style="background-color: white;">The facilitator is Pétria Marais, who is a qualified archivist with many years of experience in records management and archives. </span><span style="background-color: white;">The workshop includes practical sessions and focuses on topics such as:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">the differences between libraries, archives, museums and record centres</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">acquisition and collection</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">appraisal (including the value of records and disposal instructions)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">sorting and arrangement</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">description / indexing</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">preservation</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">the disaster recovery plan</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">tips on making the archives available</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="background-color: white;">No previous knowledge is required. </span><span style="background-color: white;">The course fee is R1 850 per person. A light lunch and tea / coffee will be provided. </span><span style="background-color: white;">For more information, contact Amira Clayton on Tel: 021 863 4809 / 0543 or <a href="mailto:kommunikasie@taalmuseum.co.za">kommunikasie@taalmuseum.co.za</a></span>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110911955065823454.post-67352576106858571122012-07-01T13:11:00.000+02:002012-07-02T01:32:49.333+02:00THE SOUTH AFRICAN DUKES OF ATHOLLThe 11th Duke of Atholl, John MURRAY, was born in South Africa on 09 January 1929. He died in Limpopo Province on 15 May 2012, aged 83, after suffering a stroke. He was a South African land surveyor, who inherited one of Scotland’s grandest titles in 1996. From 1786 to 1957 the Dukes of Atholl sat in the House of Lords as Earl Strange. The dukedom was conferred by Queen Anne in 1703 on the 2nd Marquess of Atholl.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke of Atholl Coat-of-Arms</td></tr>
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1) John MURRAY, 1st Duke, born 1660, died 1724, eldest son of the 1st Marquess. He was a politician and soldier, and fought in the Glorious Revolution for William III and Mary II.<br />
1.1) John MURRAY born 1684, died 1709, eldest son of the 1st Duke, died unmarried.<br />
1.2) William MURRAY born 1689, died 1746, second son of the 1st Duke, was a Jacobite who was attainted and executed, unmarried, for treason, excluded from the succession.<br />
1.3) James MURRAY, 2nd Duke, born 1690, died 1764, third son of the 1st Duke. <br />
1.4) Lord Charles MURRAY born 1691, died 1720, fourth son of the 1st Duke, died without issue.<br />
1.5) Lt.-Gen. Lord George MURRAY, attainted Jacobite, fifth son of the 1st Duke. <br />
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1.3) James MURRAY, 2nd Duke, born 1690, died 1764, third son of the 1st Duke.<br />
1.3.1) John MURRAY born 1728, died 1729, eldest son of the 2nd Duke.<br />
1.3.2) James MURRAY born 1735, died 1736, second and youngest son of the 2nd Duke.<br />
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1.5.1) John MURRAY, 3rd Duke, born 1729, died 1774.<br />
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1.5.1.1) John Murray, 4th Duke, born 1755, died 1830, eldest son of the 3rd Duke.<br />
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1.5.1.1.1) John MURRAY, 5th Duke, born 1778, died 1846, eldest son of the 4th Duke, died unmarried, title to his nephew.<br />
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2) George MURRAY, 6th Duke, born 1814, died 1864, eldest son of James MURRAY 1st Baron Glenlyon.<br />
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2.1) John James Hugh Henry STEWART-MURRAY, 7th Duke, born 1840, died 1917, only son of the 6th Duke. He devoted many years to editing the records of the family's history.<br />
2.1.1) John STEWART-MURRAY born 1869, died 1869, eldest son of the 7th Duke.<br />
2.1.2) John George STEWART-MURRAY, 8th Duke, born 1871, died 1942.<br />
2.1.3) Major Lord George STEWART-MURRAY born 1873, died 1914, died without issue.<br />
2.1.4) James Thomas STEWART-MURRAY, 9th Duke, born 1879, died 1957, died unmarried.<br />
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2.1.2)John George STEWART-MURRAY, 8th Duke, born 1871, died 1942, second son of the 7th Duke, married Katharine Marjorie (the Red Duchess). With honorary degrees from Oxford, McGill, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Durham and Columbia Universities, she was the first woman ever to have held office as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education from 1924 until 1929 in a Conservative administration. The 8th Duke died without issue.<br />
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2.1.4)James STEWART-MURRAY, 9th Duke, born 1879, died 1957, fourth and youngest son of the 7th Duke, died unmarried and without issue.<br />
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3) George Iain MURRAY, 10th Duke, born 19 June 1931 in Edinburgh, died 28 February 1996 in Perthshire. He had suffered a stroke at Blair Castle. Son of Lt- Col George Anthony MURRAY, who was the son of Sir George Evelyn Pemberton MURRAY, a distinguished civil servant and great-grandson of the Rev George Edward MURRAY and great-great-great-grandson of the Right Rev Lord George MURRAY (second son of the 3rd Duke). The 10th Duke died unmarried. Title to his third cousin, another descendant of the 3rd Duke.<br />
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4) John MURRAY, 11th Duke, born 1929 in South Africa, died 2012 in South Africa.<br />
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4.2) Bruce George Ronald MURRAY, 12th Duke, born 1960 in South Africa, eldest son of the 11th Duke.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blair Castle</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">The family estate since 1269 is </span><a href="http://www.blair-castle.co.uk/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Blair Atholl</a><span style="background-color: white;">, a 13th-century castle set in 120,000 acres on the Strath of Garry. The 10th Duke was devoted to the family estate, and revived the family’s private army, the Atholl Highlanders, composed of friends and estate workers. In 1844, after a visit to Blair Atholl, Queen Victoria granted the Atholls the privilege of having their own army. Descendants of the Murrays provided a guard of honour during her visit, and in recognition, she granted colours to the regiment and the right to bear arms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZJMqX0eutAgXRktUn06_Vjp7wSAP5dJkY8bDAYGZOAxRSWSZSXJypZSAAa10VY216SDYk7qdVuq1Oh_o1hRxQ4s5mUoOff5pjUTkFe0QSc_U4hvRqmIVK4g-6QyxEhUQObsV68v0RKI/s1600/AthollHighlandersBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZJMqX0eutAgXRktUn06_Vjp7wSAP5dJkY8bDAYGZOAxRSWSZSXJypZSAAa10VY216SDYk7qdVuq1Oh_o1hRxQ4s5mUoOff5pjUTkFe0QSc_U4hvRqmIVK4g-6QyxEhUQObsV68v0RKI/s1600/AthollHighlandersBadge.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cap badge of the Atholl Highlanders</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The regiment has roots back to 1777, when it was raised for service in America. Before the regiment could leave, the war ended, and in 1783 they were disbanded. In 1842 and 1844, Queen Victoria visited Scotland and the regiment provided the Guards of Honour. The original colours were presented by Lady Glenlyon on behalf of Queen Victoria on 04 September 1845. Therafter, the Atholl Highlanders took part in regimental parades and in the Braemar Games. After the First World War, these parades fell away and the regiment was mostly seen when the pipers performed on special occasions. In 1966, the 10th Duke decided to revive the regiment and to hold annual parades. The regiment grew to 100 members. Soldiers are mainly local residents, although the officers are recruited by invitation from the Duke. The annual parade is held during the last week of May at Blair Castle. The Braemar Games is an annual event, with the Queen as patron. The Atholl Highlanders march from Blair Castle to Braemar, a distance of about 40km. This march was first done in 1845 and five times until 1873. The regiment then took a break for 100 years, before continuing the tradition in1973. The last time the march was held, was in 1982. In 2011 the march involved presenting the regimental and royal colours to Queen Elizabeth. It was also the first time that the Marquis of Tullibardine (now the 12th Duke) took command of the Atholl Highlanders. His sons, Michael and David, were also on parade, each co-commanding half a company. They live and work in London. In early 2012, the now 12th Duke joined the regiment on their visit to the town of Athol in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. The regiment was invited to take part in a parade to celebrate the town’s 250th anniversary. After the visit, the regiment visited Bermuda, at the invitation of the Governor.<br />
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Blair Atholl and its castle became one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions, drawing some 165,000 paying visitors a year, under the 10th Duke's guidance. When he became Duke, he was a junior manager in a family printing business. At the age of 10 years, Iain's father died in Italy as the commanding officer of the Scottish Horse. Iain attended Eton at the time. Unable to do National Service due to medical reasons, he attended Christ Church, Oxford, followed by work in the printing businesses owned by his maternal grandfather, the second Viscount Cowdray. As 10th Duke, he was survived by his half-sister, Sarah TROUGHTON and her son Robert.<br />
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The 11th Duke, during his only visit to Blair Atholl, in 1994 before the 10th Duke's death, made it clear that he had no wish to leave the sunshine of South Africa for the cold and damp of Scotland. He also stated that he did not own a kilt and rarely drank whisky. At the time he was a retired land surveyor, and his connection to the 10th Duke had only recently been discovered. The 10th Duke, 6ft 5in tall and known as Wee Iain, died a day after it was announced that he had placed the 120-room castle and estate into a charitable trust, the Blair Charitable Trust. This would save millions in inheritance taxes and guarantee that the historic property will remain under Scottish control. The new Duke therefore acquired no land with the title, and was happy that the land had gone into a charitable trust. Shortly after his predecessor’s death, he wrote to the Trust suggesting the 85-strong Atholl Highlanders be retained and that a committee of senior officers take over its running. The Duke continued to live a modest life in South Africa, and visited Blair Atholl almost every year to inspect the Atholl Highlanders Parade. His last visit was in 2010, after which ill-health kept him from visiting Scotland.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John MURRAY, 11th Duke of Atholl</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">
<span style="background-color: white;">John MURRAY was the only son of Major George MURRAY (born 20 Nov 1884 in Blithfield, Staffordshire, died 21 Jun 1940) and his wife Joan EASTWOOD (daughter of William Edward EASTWOOD, born 23 Jun 1902 in Johannesburg) who married on 17 January 1928 in Seaford, East Sussex. His father survived the Battle of the Somme in World War 1 but was killed in action in 1940. John was the grandson of Rev. Douglas Stuart MURRAY, Rector of Blithfield, Staffordshire, who was the grandson of the Right Rev. George MURRAY, who was the son of the Right Rev. Lord George Murray, the second son of the 3rd Duke. John grew up in the mountains of The Downs, in the Wolkberg, where his parents nurtured his love of nature. He attended primary school in Parktown and completed his high school years at Michaelhouse. His own military background was brief, a three-month stint in the Grahamstown Regiment. He took a degree in Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand and became a land surveyor. He lived for much of his life in a modest home in the small two-street village of Haernertsburg, near Tzaneen, where he owned a business which made paper from elephant dung. On 15 December 1956 he married Margaret (Peggy) Yvonne LEACH, a reflexologist, in Pretoria. She was the only daughter of Ronald Leonard LEACH and Faith KLEINENBERG, and was born on 08 July 1935 in Louis Trichardt. John and Peggy had three children:<br />
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4.1) Lady Jennifer MURRAY born 08 February 1958 in Louis Trichardt, married firstly Iain PURDON in 1979 (divorced 1985) and secondly Martin GLODEK in 1995. By her first husband she has two children:<br />
4.1.1) Grant Clive PURDON (born 1980)<br />
4.1.2) Charlene PURDON (born 1982)<br />
Jennifer and her husband own the local pub in Haenertsburg.<br />
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4.2) Bruce George Ronald MURRAY born 06 April 1960 in Louis Trichardt, married Lynne Elizabeth ANDREW in 1984 in Johannesburg (daughter of Nicholas ANDREW and Evelyn Donne DE VILLIERS, born on 07 June 1963 in Johannesburg) They have three children:<br />
4.2.1) Michael Bruce John MURRAY, Marquess of Tullibardine, born 05 March 1985 in Louis Trichardt, studied sports science at the University of Pretoria.<br />
4.2.2) Lord David Nicholas George MURRAY born 31 January 1986 in Louis Trichardt.<br />
4.2.3) Lady Nicole MURRAY born 11 July 1987 in Duiwelskloof, married to Peter PIEK.<br />
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Bruce and Lynne divorced in 2003. He married Charmaine Myrna DU TOIT in 2009.<br />
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4.3) Lord Craig John MURRAY born on 05 June 1963 in Louis Trichardt, married Inge BAKKER in 1988 (daughter of Auke BAKKER of Bedfordview). They have two children:<br />
4.3.1) Carl (born 1993)<br />
4.3.2) Shona (born 1995)<br />
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The Duke's eldest son and heir apparent uses the courtesy title Marquess of Tullibardine. The 11th Duke was succeeded by his elder son, Bruce George Ronald, who was born in 1960. The 11th Duke's black-and-yellow flag, tunic and sporran, as well as photographs and other Scottish memorabilia, now adorn the wall of a pub in Haenertsburg.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 12th Duke and HRH Prince Michael of Kent at the Atholl Highlanders Parade at Blair Castle on 26 May 2012</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bruce runs a signage business, Stamp and Sign Shop, in Louis Trichardt. He is now also the Colonel-in-Chief of the 100-strong Atholl Highlanders, the only private army in Europe. He is also a volunteer member of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment. The regimental tartan is the Murray of Atholl and is worn by the drummers, the pipers wear the Murray of Tullibardine. Both tartans symbolise the regiment's connections to the Duke of Atholl. Shortly after his father's death, Bruce had to fly to Scotland for the annual inspection of the regiment and the traditional opening of the Atholl Gathering and Highland Games. Bruce matriculated at Jeppe Boys' High in Johannesburg and studied forestry at the Saasveld Forestry College in George. He did two years military service in South Africa. He was commissioned into the Atholl Highlanders in 2000, being appointed as Lieutenant-Colonel. The heir apparent is the Bruce's eldest son, Michael Bruce John MURRAY, Marquess of Tullibardine. Bruce's mother is now known as the Dowager Duchess of Atholl. The Duke is referred to as His Grace by reference, and Your Grace in spoken style with Sir as alternative.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.com