PAST EVENTS
Fellow-member, Barry Stephenson addressed our July gathering on a subject which, although not military, was full of history and enigma and, therefore, most interesting and entertaining - George Rex of Knysna. If anyone attended this talk in the hope that the mysterious veil which hangs over the name of George Rex would be lifted, he would have left in disappointment, because our speaker cleverly presented both sides of the story and left it to members of the audience to come to their own conclusion.
The traditional legend, believed by the Rex family themselves, has it that George Rex was the legitimate son of George III of England and the beautiful Hannah Lightfoot, known as the Fair quaker. Two marriage certificates exist of Hannah's marriage to George and our speaker explained why there were two. Although in some quarters these certificates are believed to be forgeries, they were not destroyed but are locked away in a strong-room at Somerset House and are unavailable to even the most earnest researchers.
The "other" story, some writers call it the real, true or factual story, presents George simply as a son of one John Rex, a prosperous Whitechapel brewer, with no "royal" connections. Both stories agree, however, on the details of George's subsequent life and career, official positions he held at the Cape, his founding of Knysna and the beneficial and progressive influence he played in the development of an, at his time, remote part of the Colony.
However, even the most unromantic and sober-minded person will find it difficult to brush aside the enigma of George Rex's background, the reasons for the respect he received, the source of his relative affluence, the secrecy surrounding certain family aspects, and the almost unseemly way in which family papers were burnt and destroyed by later members of the Lightfoot and Rex families.
A short series of colour slides showing the beauty of Knysna and its immediate surroundings and the last resting place of George Rex rounded off this interesting discourse for which Barry was warmly applauded.
VISIT TO THE WILLOW GRANGE AREA.
A one-day outing to the Willow Grange area took place on Sunday 22 July 1984. A cavalcade of 15 cars met at the rendezvous. Eight cars contained members and friends of our Society and seven cars carried members of the S.A. Naval Officers' Association, who had already visited Colenso battlefield on the preceding day and joined us on this occasion. The sky was overcast, but patches of blue showed every now and then, and the weak winter sun made valiant attempts to break through. It was very cold, but on reaching a view site a shimmering white wall to the west - the Drakensberg under a heavy blanket of snow - left no doubt as to whence the icy cold came. However, this did not dampen the keen interest shown throughout the day and proved rather invigorating. After listening to an outline of the battle, presented by our Chairman 'SB', a strong party, which included some participants well-advanced in years, climbed Brynbella to exnlore the mountain top and the positions held by the Boers, now nearly eighty-five years ago. These were stormed and briefly held by the British on 22nd/23rd November 1899.
Following a picnic lunch in a wattle grove at the foot of the mountain, some members proceeded to nearby Estcourt to visit the historic Fort Durnford museum, while a smaller party, led by 'SB', scaled Beacon Hill to examine the battle area from the British points of view. A sincere and hearty "THANK YOU" is extended to our expert tour leader 'SB', and to all who, by their presence, made this outing worth-while.
FUTURE EVENTS
TALANA DAY. This year will be the 85th anniversary of the Anglo-Boer War battle of Talana at Dundee. A full weekend's programme has been arranged by the Talana Museum in conjunction with the Town Council of Dundee for 20th-21st October 1984. In a letter Miss P. McFadden, Talana Museum, P.O. Box 76, Dundee 300, Tel. 22654, writes that any member of the S.A. Military History Society wiII be more than welcome to attend, but wiII appreciate being advised by any person who wishes to attend so that she will be able to send an invitation and a program of events. This information would also be needed for catering purposes. Interested persons must please make their own arrangements.
August 9th Colonel P.J.W. Hall, Officer Commanding, 84 Motorised Brigade, who has very recently returned from Angola, will give us a talk on "The Joint Monitoring Commission in Angola". Col Wall headed this Commission.
September 13th Fellow-member Ken Gillings will present a slide talk entitled "A Helpmekaar Duel" (Anglo-Boer War).
October 11th
Talk by Air Marshal Sir Philip Lagesen.
November 8 th
Fellow-member Vic Conrad will give a talk on the Independence of Poland, 1918, entitled "Re-birth of Poland".
The venue for all meetings will be the Canteen, lower ground floor, 'SB' Bourquin Building, the Natalia Development Board's head office on the corner of Jan Smuts Highway and Buro Crescent, Mayville, on the second Thursday in the month commencing at 8 p.m. Glasses and ice will be supplied so please bring your own bottled or canned refreshments. Friends and interested persons are welcome to come along.
STAMPS.
A further set of 1st Day Covers of Historical Military Uniforms of Ciskei will be available at all philatelic counters of Post Offices on 26th October 1984. The artist, Andy May, will be happy to sign covers for members at our November get-together.
WELCOME
A hearty welcome is extended to new members Messrs. John Bell and K.G. Knowles.
S. A. MILITARY COLLECTORS' SOCIETY
Fellow-member Peter Naude, who is the Secretary of the above Society has issued an invitation to interested persons to attend their meetings at the Natal Command Officers' Club annex on the last Saturday in every month at 3 p.m.
THE DURBAN WARGAMES SOCIETY meets every alternate Sunday at the Victory Shellhole in Ridley Park Road, Malvern. For further particulars phone Rob Adams Tel mm7742 (H), Add. nn Arundel Rd, Hillary.
(Mrs) Tania van der Watt,
Secretary, Durban Branch,
S.A. Military History Society,
Box 870, HILLCREST, 3650.
Tel. (031) vvvvvv