----- Original Message ----- From: Joe Ellis To: joellis@mweb.co.za Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 11:42 PM Subject: 'Grave' business of finding the Boer War casualties Part 2 copyright : Tygertalk Goodwood/Parow, Cape Community Newspapers, Independent Newspapers (Cape). Part II Certain facts did not match up and true to Tish's self-confessed curious nature, she did some research to clarify the matter. And that's how everything snowballed. "This business is about visiting the archives, museums, reading and researching books. "One cannot just accept that what you read is true,one has to do cross reference all the time." she says. Today the Meyerings are extremely knowledgeable about their subject and hope to produce a book documenting their efforts over the past 25 years. "We spent holidays looking for graves. to this day our daughter boasts about her knowledge of graveyards all over South Africa. We packed our van and set off, a caravan would have been no good because of the rough terrain. Parking in the graveyards and sleeping there,was what we did, but now things have changed we are older and it is not safe anymore," says Tish. They always ask permission from the farmer to do research on his land and have made many wonderful friends over the years. Tish says the Cape and the Free State are here favourite places for field trips. They have captured their trips in many photographs and have documented graves that have been vandalised over the years. "The graves in Beaufort West are an example of this kind of vandalism, people not only break the stones, but steel the plaques to sell for scrap metal.' Tish says. Another place that holds special memories for them is Deelfontein, a small village, south of De Aar on the main railway line to Cape Town. At the time of the Boer War, Deelfontein had a hospital and a hotel, the Yeomanry, which was built by the Adamstein family. "We knew the longer-living of the two Adamstein brothers well, he died about three years ago." says Lars. The Meyerings never travel alone. They have a four ;egged companion called Jack, who seems to take his part in their ventures quite seriously, never leaving their presence. "One could day that Jack is in the graveyard business," says Lars. What will they do to keep busy after their book is finished? "We'll probably move on to World War I, " he laughs. "No" Tish exclaims: "I think then we'll call it a day." However, before the book can become a reality, the Meyerings still have to account for 21 officers. ( Details of these 21 officers to follow in part III ) Anyone who would like to share information with the Meyerings can contact Lars on his mobile phone 0823985224, or via me off list at joellis@mweb.co.za Regards Joe Ellis