Brooch from South African ('Boer') War - 1899-1902

This is the final in the mini series I've been blipping the last few days. The other days have featured mementos from my Granddad Boo's WW1 service in France and Belgium.

Today's blip features a brooch belonging to Mum. Since she's here looking after me post-surgery I have the opportunity to blip it in this series too.

Sadly the brooch's history has gone with the passing of others. It came to Mum from her Great Aunty Eva on her father's side. Her fiancé went off to serve for NZ in the South African ('Boer') War (1899-1902).

The brooch is made from a gold nugget and the change in colour is due to an imperfection in the nugget. She wears it a lot and sometimes people recognise it as from the Boer War.

Great Aunty Eva's fiancé was killed and she never married. Seems he was her sweet heart and there was never anyone else.

His name is unknown, as is how the brooch made it to NZ. Did he send it before he was killed? Was it in belongings returned to the family and from there given to Great Aunty Eva? We'll never know.

In this day and age we may question why New Zealanders were involved in this war. But the world was different place then and it's not for me to judge.

While blipping it I was struck that this is something from my Great, Great Aunty Eva.

For those who missed the earlier blips in this series of war mementos.

1. WW1 shrapnel

2. Sent from France, 1918

3. WW1 hanky

4. A kiss from France

Tough last night and morning. Hope I sleep well and you do too. Tomorrow is a new day.