AN INTIMATE gathering of around 30 people paid their respects to those who fought in South Africa between 1899 and 1902 at the Boer War Memorial in Mount Gambier yesterday morning.
Wreaths were laid at the foot of the granite, white marble and stone memorial on Bay Road in remembrance of the Australians and South Africans who fought in the conflict.
Around 600 Australians made the ultimate sacrifice.
Guest speaker and The Border Watch chief of staff Leon Rademeyer related how one of his Boer ancestors held a special place in history as the first prisoner of war taken by British forces at the age of just 14 years.
Mr Rademeyer – who served in the South African Air Force during the South African Border War (1966 to 1989) – honoured all those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Boer War, in particular the 26,000 Boer women and children who died in British concentration camps.
He said it was important to remember governments made the decision to go to war, not individual soldiers.
“The majority of those brave men and women from all sides just did the best they could in very difficult circumstances,” Mr Rademeyer said.
“They served their countries with pride and should be honoured for their sacrifice.”
Those laying wreaths included Mount Gambier resident Joan Hardiman whose grandfather Maj Armadale Charles Anderson fought in the Boer War and World War I.
Maj Anderson fought with his son and Ms Hardiman’s father William George Anderson in World War I.
Those attending the service included Royal Australian Army Lieutenant Colonel Brenton Gasteen from Adelaide, Mount Gambier Community Returned and Services League president Bob Sandow, RSL committee member Leigh Newton and Limestone Coast Police officer in charge Grant Moyle.
