In the Northern Natal Courier of Friday 25 May 1934 a notice was printed that the Town Council has granted permission for the erection of the Hearn Memorial at a suitable spot in King Edwards park, and it was agreed to make the necessary water connection to the memorial, which was in the form of a drinking fountain. Who was Harry Hearn and why was this memorial erected? The inscription of the memorial reads: “Harry Hearn 17 December 1933 To … Read More
The smallest church in the Southern hemisphere. Maynard Mathews and wife Maynard Reginald Nelson Matthews was appointed as magistrate in Dundee from 9 December 1901, having been transferred from Newcastle and having served in number of towns throughout Natal. He also served as Chairman of the Dundee Cottage Hospital and in 1906 was the Chief leader of the Dundee Militia Reserves and Commander of Dundee under Martial Law. On his retirement in 1921 he continued to serve Dundee as the … Read More
By Pat Rundgren Who hasn’t driven over Gregory’s Nek on course to view the scenic delights of Blood River or Vryheid? Your eye is always caught by Cotswald, the beautiful Cape Dutch farmhouse built by Italian Prisoners of War during World War Two. But why Gregory’s Nek? Who were the Gregorys? The patriarch of the Gregory family was Jacob Davies Gregory “of Wales” (1785 – 1866). His imposing tombstone was accidentally uncovered by a bulldozer at Lennox Farm and is … Read More
Alexander Harvey Biggar The tragic tale of this ex paymaster of the 85Th Regiment, and his two sons is remembered by the range of mountains named in his memory, the Biggarsberg. Biggar had fought throughout the Peninsula War and in 1820 arrived in South Africa as part of the scheme to settle immigrants along the Cape frontier. In 1835 he and his son, George move up to Natal, where his other son, Robert had already settled. In October 1837, with … Read More
There is much of absorbing interest to be found in a study of the street names of towns. Not only can it lead to the uncovering of much of the history of the town itself but it unveils some of those more familiar and intimate circumstances which go so far towards creating that sentimental attachment people have for some particular centre. Municipal records are largely silent about any authority or responsibility for street naming; possibly this was left to the … Read More
Biggarsberg The Biggarsberg range of mountains if an off shoot of the Drakensberg, and ends at Helpmekaar where the mountains drop down to Pomeroy. Named after Alexander Harvey Biggar. Read all about him https://www.facebook.com/virtual.eggsa/posts/alexander-harvey-biggarpost-by-pamela-mcfaddenthe-tragic-tale-of-this-ex-paymast/877254948214765/ Indumeni (height above sea level 1781 on the peak and 1640m in the pass) The name of the mountain is spelt with and I and the area round they the base of the mountain is spelt Endumeni. In Zulu this translates as “where the thunder rolls” The … Read More