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A History Lesson ! The 'Boer War Memorial' in Hebburn Park.
Posted by Norman Dunn on 24/3/2026, 1:47 pm
Shields Daily Gazette 01 Aug 1903
HEBBURN'S FALLEN HEROES
Mr. Arthur Coote, J.P., managing director of Messrs Hawthorn, Leslie and Co's shipyard, will on Monday afternoon, unveil a monument erected in Hebburn park by public subscription to the memory of the men of the town who fell in the Boer war. It is a very handsome and imposing monument of grey granite, the design of which strikes at once as impressive and appropriate. It is about 20 feet in height and about 4 feet square at base,and starts from a fine axed chamfered base. The next course is polished on four sides,the front being panelled off showing the words “South Africa.” The next base is also polished on four sides and richly moulded. On the front is a neatly carved representation of the modern rifle and the words, “Bravely they fought and well.” The inscription panel is all polished and bears the following inscription:- “This memorial was erected by public subscription to the memory of Hebburn men who lost their lives in the Boer war 1899-1902:- Private William Fothergill, 2nd C.G., Pretoria, 2nd July, 1900. Private Joseph Lalley, 63rd M.R., Ladysmith, 22nd Augsut, 1900. Private James McKenna, 2nd N.F., Hebburn, 10th November, 1900. Private Charles Connor, 4th D.L.I., Reitfontein, 22nd Dec., 1900 Farrier William Livingstone, C. Company, I.Y., Bloemfontein, 2nd Feb., 1901. Private W. Applegarth, K.R.R.C. Mounted Infantry, Braakenlagte, 30th Oct., 1901 PRO PATRIA The cornice or cap is very richly carved in neat moulds and on the front is a beautiful laurel wreath. A heavy all-polished moulded base and column constitute the shaft and a chaste drapery hangs over the top which again is surmounted by a moulded neck supporting a Globe, on which may be traced E and W hemispheres and continents marked – Africa being on the front. The memorial is erected on a mound in Hebburn Park and has been supplied by a Mr. J. Reed, of the North-West Durham Monumental Works, Blackhill, County Durham.
UK, Casualties of the Boer War, 1899-1902 about W Fothergill Name: W Fothergill Casualty Type: Died Casualty Date: 2 Jul 1900 Casualty Place: Pretoria Rank: Private Force: South Africa Field Force Regiment: Coldstream Guards Battalion: 2nd Battalion Number: 1477 Source Information: Military-Genealogy.com, comp. UK, Casualties of the Boer War, 1899-1902 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Military-Genealogy.com, comp. Boer War Casualties 1899-1902. The Naval and Military Press Ltd. www.military-genealogy.com.
Historical Background:
Dutch, Huguenot and German immigrants first came to settle the Cape area of South Africa in 1652. In 1814 Britain took control of this area and refusing to submit to foreign colonial rule some 10,000 Boers (Dutch for “Farmers”) left the Cape area to embark on the “Great Trek of 1835-1842”. They first moved north to Natal and then to the interior highlands to set up two independent republics, the Orange Free State and the South African (Transvaal Republic). After several unsuccessful take over attempts the call to war was issued on 11 October 1899. It would turn out to be one of the longest and bloodiest wars fought by Britain between 1815 and 1914.
The Second War, commonly known as the Boer War, between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics lasted three years, 1899-1902 and involved a large number of troops from many British possessions such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada and the Boer people with a high casualty rate on both sides. Two factors that contributed to the large amount of casualties were that many British soldiers were physically unprepared for the environment and poorly trained for the tactical conditions they faced. As a result, British losses were high due to both disease and combat. The Boer War was finally concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging in May 1902.
Re: A History Lesson ! The 'Boer War Memorial' in Hebburn Park.
Sue & Tim Lowry playing on the canon one sunny day and just like thousands of other local children have done inc me (grin.I'd have sat on it in the late 40s into the very early 60s.
Re: Here is that little Canon most children sat on
What a great photo! I wish I had a photo of my young self sitting on the Cannon. Maybe if I'm ever back in Hebburn I'll have a photo taken of my old self sitting on it instead!
Re: Here is that little Canon most children sat on
Hello John, you lived in Quarry RD, opposite my Auntie LIly, she lived at number 14...housebound all her life, so many memories. I am 89 now,but never forget my Hebburn days
