The Elands River memorial complex near Swartruggens commemorates the Siege of Elands River Post (4–16 August 1900) during the Second Anglo-Boer War. The site features several memorials located within and near the Swartruggens Cemetery and a nearby farm that hosts a museum and the battlefield.
The memorials are located in the vicinity of the Swartruggens Cemetery on Fouche Street, Swartruggens, which is in the North-West Province of South Africa. The primary battle site and a related museum are situated on a nearby farm (Brakfontein).
Key Memorials:
Several memorials exist at the site, honoring the different groups involved in the battle:
- Australian Bushmen’s Memorial: A concrete monument with an inscribed plaque located at the grave site within the Swartruggens Cemetery, commemorating the Australians killed in the siege. The original large slate headstone from the battlefield is now housed in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
- Rhodesian Memorial: A memorial dedicated to the men of the Southern Rhodesia Volunteers who participated in the defense of the post.
- Animal Monument and Wall of Remembrance: Unveiled in August 2019, this monument commemorates the approximately 1,300 horses, mules, and oxen that were killed during the siege, one of the greatest slaughters of draught animals in the war.
- Boer Memorial: There are also memorials related to the Boer forces who besieged the post.
AWAMO is proud to support our South African members, the purple poppy is spreading. Please read letter below.
“My dear Nigel,
On Saturday, 17 August 2019 the animal monument was unveiled at Elands River, Swartruggens, North-West Province. It turned out to be a huge success and an event that we will always remember. About 150 people attended the ceremony. Part of the ceremony was the reading of “ The Last Parade ” by Banjo Paterson. A wall of remembrance commemorating the Blacks, Australians and Rhodesians who were killed, died of wounds and wounded during the Siege was also unveiled. This wall is about 2 metres behind the main memorial – please refer to attached photos. A book on the Siege of Elands River by me was launched on the same occasion – please refer to attached photo. On this occasion a message received from the Australian High Commission in Pretoria was read which summed up the spirit of what we did here and which also addressed the very new worldwide awakening to the plight of animals in warfare – a matter in which Australia’s AWAMO already did sterling work. I still hope that in the foreseeable future especially you or any other AWAMO member will visit us and be able to view the monument and I want to ensure you that you are more than welcome. I do realise, however, that you are very tied up with a busy work schedule and many other commitments. I remain yours sincerely (and an AWAMO friend forever), Peet Coetzee. Curator Elands River Museum.”
