TOPIC:

Many years ago (approx 1962-64) I was at the Holy Cross Convent boarding school in De Aar. It was rumoured that the convent had been a field hospital during the Boer War - is anyone aware of this, or was it merely an 'urban legend'? Would be most interested to know. Many thanks, regards, Heather

Hi Heather,

From J.C. De Villiers' book, Healers, Helpers and Hospitals"........ "The school building, situated half a mile north-east of the railway station was converted into a hospital which could accommodate about 40 patients". I presume this was your alma mater This was No.3 Stationary hospital. Can you remember if there were any memorials in the school or chapel or a graveyard close by?

ATB & welcome.

David

Heather
Welcome to the forum. If you go to the "books" section of this site and get to The Times History and proceed to Vol.VI, page 519 , you will see some details of the medical arrangements at De Aar
Regards
IL.

Thanks so much, David. Really interesting how these things develop. Looked up the 'Holy Cross Convent" and found the website for the Diocese of De Aar, which states that the Convent was originally an hotel, purchased by the nuns in 1924 to serve as School, Convent and Church, so obviously not the field hospital origin (unless the original hotel had been commandeered at the time, as it was built in 1901) But when the Holy Cross order arrived in De Aar, they took over a small school in the town which was a day school operated by the Sisters of the Assumption - perhaps this was the one which was used as a hospital. "Our" boarding school was definitely way on the outskirts of the town - can still remember our very small contingent of Anglican boarders hiking a couple of miles very early on Sunday mornings to attend Communion!

Thanks so much again for your assistance - really appreciated!

Thank you so much - what a fascinating collection of books: one could spend all day on the site!

Hello Heather, I am not sure if you are still in contact with the forum?

I think my dad was also at the convent in De Aar in the early 1940's. Attached is a group photo taken at one of the Holy Cross Convents. Can you recognize the building in the background as the convent in De Aar? The school seems to have now been closed down.
Regards John