Hello to all members. I am new to this site and enjoy finding my way around it. One thing I noticed is that the vast majority of the topics deal with the British side of the war. I collect predominantly Boer ABW items and over the years have been able to obtain quite a few field telegrams, letters and diaries of Boer POW's, unusual items such as boer ID tags, as well as a number of important official documents, mostly written in Dutch. As time passes in the new south africa, and not wanting to take anything away from the fantastic work done by Elria Wessels at the Bloemfontein museum and others, I worry about the proper conservation of the boer side items of the ABW so that they remain available to future generations. I would like to hear from members who share my collection focus (boer) as well from those who like to comment the conservation issue. Everhard Vissers, Monaco

Hello and welcome to the forum. I don't really see myself as a collector but I do scout for metal objects whenever I get the time and have a particular interest in ABW objects. Some I keep and others are donated to museums but sometimes I doubt that donating is the right thing to do. Quite a lot of museums are going down the drain because of mismanagement.

Hello - I have a large ABW munitions box in my possession. It is most likely British, but the Boers also had field cannons so this ordinance storage box could have been used by either side.
It is very sturdy, made of thick oregon pine with hand-forged metal hinges and hasp and staple, with rope handles on the sides. It is approx 80cms wide X 50cms high. It has no lining inside or any distinguishing marks other than the remanents of khaki paint on the rear panel. I am happy to forward you a photo if you are interested.

I would like to see that photo.
You can either post it here or via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thanks

I just want to use this opportunity to thank ABW.com for the great website....here is what I think....my family and I are some of the few individuals who try and save the past and keep it within in the borders of South Africa, buying pieces and displaying it in our homes for family and friends to see and that is where the scope of audience ends – family and friends.

We as a family had taken a few excursions to the small towns in South Africa to view some of the monuments which was placed there to remember our forefathers that fell and the innocent that paid the bill and to our horror found most in ruins ( broken and urinated on!!). For example – Volksrust monument is closed off due to this, but yet still not looked after, “ Dirkie Uys” is overgrown with weeds and is used as a grazing area.

As former E Terblance stated: “We are a nation without a state!” (I’M NOT AN AWB SUPPORTER) – we are a nation of many cultures mooched into one – and we are known as Boer – we fought for our nation and now we are losing our identity as Boer and our history is being wiped off this earth because we are not looking after it. It is not just about the langue we speak, but where we came from...how can we move forward not knowing where we came from! Our children must learn to respect and be proud of who they are...and this my friends, they must learn from us.

Regards
Eric de Jager
South African History Protection Association (SAHPA2000)

Welcome to the forum Eric and a very thoughtful first post.

When my brother and I toured the sites of the ABW in South Africa we were often struck by the desperate state of repair of some of these places and it was upsetting to see how poorly they were regarded and maintained.

I have trouble seeing how the situation will improve going forward. With the focus on more important priorities elsewhere it seems this slide will only continue. The cost of this is likely to be the diminution and possible loss of parts of the heritage it proudly reminds us of and a distancing from those events which shaped South Africa's past. Churchill was right when he said 'The further backwards you look, the further forward you can see'. The problem is that I am not sure if very many people want to look back at all.

It is very important that you do preserve the past for future generations.

Kind regards
David