The Burgher Monument
06 | In the middle of the Platrand overlooking Ladysmith is the Burgher Memorial. Unveiled in 1979 in honour of 781 Burghers who died during battles in Natal during the Anglo Boer War. The group of massive hands, six reaching up in faith and the seventh pointing downwards to symbolise “here”. The communal crypt in the centre contains the remains of 310 re-interred burghers.
A poem by Ernest van Heerden was translated into English by Prof. C. De Jong from Pretoria:
Total Views: 5381 Daily Views: 0Through these hands a greater hand
Spread spilled blood so generously
That fingers point over hilly land
To plough fields from which freedom grows
Doing family research I found out that a great uncle of mine died on the 6th or the 24th of January 1900 at Ladysmith. He was 25 years of age and born in the Netherlands. I suspect he was a volunteer in the war, but I have never heard stories in my family. The online photo’s of the lists of fallen on the monument are not sharp enough to see if he is mentioned. Does anyone know if there are online records? Thanks in advance!
My grandmothers brother Louis Rowsell was killed on the 6 Jan 1900 at the battle of Ladysmith. His Army No was 5792 and he was in the 2nd Rifle Brigade He is buried in the Caesars Camp burial ground. Is it possible to have a photo of his grave?