South Africa
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The Anglo-Boer War Memorial is situated in the town of Graaf-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The effects of the Anglo-Boer War on Graaff-Reinet left deep scars and divisions amongst the community by a number of trials that took place in the town. Two of the most well-known were that of Lotter and Scheepers and although many of those accused were sentenced to death, the death sentences of only eight men, including Gideon Scheepers, were carried out. Seven of the men’s shallow graves were dug up, Gideon Scheepers body was never found, and they were reburied in the town the day before the monument was unveiled in 1908. There is a separate Gideon Scheepers Monument that was erected on a site close to the site of his execution.

The Anglo-Boer War Memorial was erected in the memory of these fallen Boer soldiers who fought in the war for freedom, The Anglo-Boer War of 1899 to 1902. The marble monument was made in Italy and the design is said to be based on photographs of Boer soldiers. On the sides are Bible scriptures in Dutch and the names of those who were executed in Graaff-Reinet. The inscription on the front is in Afrikaans and translates to “in memory of the fallen in the struggle for Freedom and Justice”. General Grobler unveiled the beautiful and moving monument on 2 December 1908.

Admission

No admission fee is charged.

Open Daily.

Climate

Rainfall occurs mainly in the autumn months, with March seeing the highest levels. Winter nights can drop below freezing.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 11˚C and 30˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 2˚C and 16˚C.

Transport

There are flights into Port Elizabeth International Airport, from all major cities in South Africa, on a daily basis. Car hire facilities are available and the airport is approximately 264 km from Graaf-Reinet. 

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