VETERANS OF BOER WAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 830, 26 November 1929, Page 9

VETERANS OF BOER WAR

MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD IN LONDON

MARCH TO THE CENOTAPH British Official Wireless RUGBY, Sunday. The first annual memorial service of the South African War Veterans’ Association, of which Field-Marshal Lord Methuen is the president, was held at the Horse Guards Parade. London, today. The men were inspected by General Sir lan Hamilton. Addressing the company Sir lan said he always used to say: “We are the lads who fought with White. Buller, Methuen, Roberts, Baden-Powell and other warriors of great renown at Elandslaagte, Waggon Hill, Pieter’s Heights. Paardeberg and' Diamond Hill. We are old soldiers who, once upon a time, on half rations, played hide-and-seek with Christian De Wet until our feet were bleeding and our clothes in rags.”

They were proud to stand there representing 20,000 soldiers who gave their lives for the peace of Vereenigiug and the smaller their numbers the greater each man’s share of the honour.

The Vereeniging peace was au achievement equal to that of the million dead who were represented by the Treaty of Versailles. “You speak kindly or think kindly of our brother Boer who used to shoot at us all the time,” said Sir lan, “and who used to hit us pretty often. You are helping to keep South Africa happy and united, and what better monument could our fallen comrades desire?”

Led by Sir lan the veterans marched to the Cenotaph where the leader placed a wreath on behalf of the association.