Military History Tours          On Tour - Boer War in South Africa 2 June 2016

A long drive today.

First we visited the Mafikeng Concentration Camp cemetery. Built on the site of the camp, it is always shocking to see the ages of the young children who died as the result of a wartime strategy.

Then we drove ‘till we were able to see the country around Vryburg where the Australian Commonwealth Horse were first deployed. On to Warrenton where we had lunch in a delightful, if messy park alongside the Vaal River with some friendly and polite SA Police.

Thence to Paardeberg. Sadly we were advised the small museum is now closed for good and the exhibits taken away. The battlefield, is still there. We were able to visit the memorial to Boers who died on the shores of the river, discuss the battle over the diorama, then walk the battlefield.

We ended the day with a visit to the grave site of the gallant Colonel Hannay.

Tomorrow we do not have to go far to visit the Maggersfontein battle site and museum, then the McGreggor Museum in Kimberley.