Journey forward

By Popsicle

Armistice Day - 93 years on

Today commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany, which took effect at "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918.

My blip however, refers to an earlier conflict - the Anglo Boer War.

Johannesburg's premier war monument is significant to all South Africans. It began. however, as exclusive and devisive, dedicated solely to the memory of the men of the Rand who died for the British Empire during the Anglo Boer War. The memorial is a 20 metre tall stone four-arched structure, with a large bronze Angel of Peace (designed by Russian Sculptor Naoum Aronson), standing majestically on top.

In 1999, it was decided that the memorial needed to consider all those who died in the war. The site was re-dedicated on 10th October of that year to 'the memory of the men, woman and children of all races and all nations who lost their lives in the Anglo Boer War, 1899 - 1902'.
Emphasis was placed on the role played by black South Africans during the war, an aspect which had previously had little recognition.

Originally called the Rand Regiments Memorial, at the re-dedication ceremony it was renamed the Anglo Boer War/ SA War (1899-1902) Memorial and designated a national heritage site.

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