South African family history, genealogy, heritage and interesting places, past and present. All articles researched and written by Anne Lehmkuhl. COPYRIGHT ANNE LEHMKUHL, no article can be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. EMAIL ME
Anglo-Boer War graves to be maintained
The renovation and maintainance of the graves of about 25 000 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) was officially handed over to the South African government last year. Over 200 cemeteries throughout South Africa will be renovated, with the UK government and private sponsors providing the £800 000 required over the next four years. A further £150 000 will be made available every year for maintenance. The deal also included plans to locate the graves of black South Africans who took part in the war. Tombstones will be erected and a monument built for those whose graves cannot be identified. Although both the British and Boers initially agreed that black people were not to be used in a combatant role in the war, at least 15 000 blacks were armed by the British and served in mobile columns to track down Boer commandos. A further 25 000 served as armed blockhouse guards. Black South Africans were also used on the Imperial Military Railway system, and served as scouts, agterryers and wagon drivers. They also became refugees of war, had their homes and livelihoods destroyed in the British scorched earth policy, and were interned in the British concentration camps.