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This drawing, published in The Graphic in February 1901, shows the graves of British soldiers in Woodstock Cemetery, decorated with flowers laid by members of the Loyal Women's Guild.

All these graves were subsequently exhumed and the remains moved to Maitland Cemetery.

The Guild did an extraordinary job in documenting the graves of Briton and Boer, even in the remotest locations. The resulting ledgers were invaluable in locating outlying graves during the exhumations of Boers during the late 1970s, prior to their reinterment in the vault of the Burgher Monument, Ladysmith.







Daily News (London), 14th January 1901

SOUTH AFRICAN GRAVES.

Sir, – My attention has been drawn to a paragraph in “The Daily News” of December 6th, in which, after referring to the work of the Guild in caring for the graves of the men who have fallen in South Africa, you express the wish that the graves of the Boers might be cared for also. In our quarterly report, published in October, the following appeal appeared: “In some of these cemeteries those who have fought against each other rest side by side in peace. The members of the Guild are asked in these cases to care for the graves of both, that in the sacred presence of death all differences may be forgotten, and honour be paid to the brave who have fallen. It is the earnest hope of the Guild that some day, across the graves of Briton and Boer, the hand of friendship may be held out, and a united South Africa arise, knit together by a common bond of love and loyalty to Sovereign and Empire”. The day before yesterday – Christmas Eve – all the graves that it was possible to reach were covered with flowers. I visited Woodstock Cemetery, where over two hundred men have been laid to rest since the commencement of hostilities. Fifty of these were Boers who had died at Green Point, having brought the poison of enteric with them from Paardeberg. On these graves, as on those of our own brave dead, flowers were laid reverently, in the earnest hope that the peace which rests on that quiet graveyard may some day rest on all South Africa. – I remain, Sir, yours, etc., Dorothea Fairbridge, Joint Hon. Sec., Loyal Women’s Guild.


Surrey Mirror, 24th January 1902

THE LOYAL WOMEN’S GUILD OF SOUTH AFRICA.

The Loyal Women’s Guild has justified its existence in many ways. It has helped to draw forth and give a means of expression to that sentiment of loyalty which for many years, even in a British colony, seemed almost afraid of making itself known. The Guild has done the greatest service in enlisting in the good cause all the women in South Africa who were on the empire’s side. It has been a great educating influence, and those in South Africa know how important it is that mothers should be sound in their political faith. The Guild has, however, not confined itself to purely political work. It has undertaken a work of piety towards those who have fallen in the war, by identifying the graves of the fallen soldiers and preserving them as a memorial of heroic self-sacrifice to future generations, which alone entitles it to the respect and admiration of the empire. To find the spots where they lie, to erect a simple cross, inscribed with the name and regiment of the fallen soldier, and to bestow some marks of care and respect upon the grave, has been the task of the sub-committee of the Guild. The Boer dead have not been forgotten in these pious ministrations. The Woodstock cemetery, it has been found, contains quite a number of Boers, some of whom had been brought down from Paardeberg and died in hospital. These men likewise gave their lives for their country. Actions of this sort will tend to promote a sentiment of good-will and charity between the two races in the colony, and the Guild will be in a great measure instrumental in bringing about that lasting peace and goodwill in South Africa between all races on mankind which everyone so earnestly desires to see accomplished. Lady Goodenough, Dacre House, London, will gladly furnish further details of anyone wishing to promote the interests of the Guild in England.








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Pte J. Chadwick, 2nd Scot Rif., 19.11.99
Pte H. Slater, 1st Col Guards, 21.11.99
Pte K. Knowles, 1st Rif Brig., 22.11.99
Dvr A. Barham, R.A ., 23.11.99
Pte W. Walsh, 1st Dublin Fus., 26.11.99
Pte G. Whitmore, 1st Northlnd Fus., 28.11.99
Pte T. Godliman, 2nd Scot Rif., 01.12.99
Lce-Cpl B. D. Neill, R. Munst Fus., 06.12.99
Pte S. Longworth, Lancs Fus., 19.12.99
Pte W. Tighe, Yorks, 20.12.99
Dvr W. Battye, 63rd Batt R.F.A., 20.12.99
Sgt T. Hammond, W. Yorks, 26.12.99
Pte C. B. Board, 9th Lancers, 26.12.99
Sgt W. Field, 6th Drag Guards, 12.01.00
Pte Ricketts, 2nd Worcester, 12.01.00
Cpl J. Cowett, 2nd Gloucester, 22.01.00
Pte J. McDonald, 1st Gordon High., 25.01.00
Pte Barnard, Hants, 26.01.00
Cpl T. Ward, Oxford Light Inf., 27.01.00
Pte J. Caute, 2nd Wilts, 28.01.00
Sgt P. Broderick, 1st R Irish Rgt., 29.01.00
Pte T. Tracey, 9th K.B.R., 02.02.00
Pte H. Clarke, S.W. Borderers, 04.02.00
Pte E. Warburton, M.M.S. Corps, 30.01.00
Pte T. Parkinson, 1st East Lancs, 13.02.00
Pte W. Stokes, Rly Pioneer Regt., 16.02.00
Bom C.M. Halls, R.F.A., 21.02.00
Dvr Errington, R.F.A., 18.02.00
Pte G. Savage, B Coy C.M.S. Corps, 28.02.00
Bom H. Hasler, 88th Batt R.F.A., 28.02.00
Pte J. Burke, R. Innis Fus., 03.03.00
Pte W. Peach, 2nd Shrops, 03.03.00
Pte C. Haig, 2nd Dragoons, 04.03.00
Pte G. W. Cooper, C.I.V., 11.03.00
Pte R.G. Cambell, N.S.W.M.I., 14.03.00
Pte J. Pentland, 3rd Vol R Scots Fus., 15.03.00
Pte G. Tyron, 2nd Norfolks, 15.03.00
Pte L. Trow, 1st A & S High., 17.03.00
Pte J. Jackson, 6th Lancs Fus., 18.03.00
Pte J. Harrison, 6th N.S.W.A.M.C., 18.03.00
Pte J.W. Malkin, St. Johns Amb Brig., 19.03.00
Dmr D. Robertson, 2nd N. Fus., 19.03.00
Pte J. Macnamara, 6th Lancs Fus., 23.03.00
Pte A. Campin, 4th Middlesex, 25.03.00
Pte C. Daly, 1st Royal Irish, 23.03.00
Cpl J.W. Miles, R.A.M.C., 28.03.00
Pte T. McPollard, 4th Royal Scotts, 30.03.00
Pte E. Warner, 1st Oxford L.I., 30.03.00
Pte G. Ellis, 2nd Rif Brig., 03.04.00
Pte J. Dawnad, 2nd Vol B Roy High., 03.04.00
Pte P. Sexton, R. Irish Fus., 04.04.00
Pte D.L. Ramsay, 1st Can Rif., 28.03.00
Gnr P. Ryan, R.G.A., 04.04.00
Cpl C. Clark, R.F.A., 04.04.00
FAR L. Manning, R.H.A., 05.04.00
Pte F. Wells, 2nd Kent, 07.04.00
Pte G. Baldwin, 2nd Col Guards, 05.04.00
Pte J. Cotton, 2nd East Lancs, 08.04.00
Pte J. Pownall, 1st Manchester, 08.04.00
Sap Goodfellow, R.E., 12.04.00
Pte R. Price, 2nd Shrop L.I., 12.04.00
Pte W. Clark, 1st Essex, 14.04.00
Lce-Cpl C. Morgan, 1st Hussars, 14.04.00
Pte J. King, 2nf R. Irish Fus., 18.04.00
Pte Morrisen, Donegal Artillery, 18.04.00
Cpl Coleman, 1st Oxford L.I., 18.04.00
Sgt Patterson, Seaforth High., 22.04.00
Tpr W.G. Goodridge, E Griq., 23.04.00
Pte R. Coleman, 1st Worcester, 24.04.00
Tpr J. Simmell, Strath's Horse, 25.04.00
Pte A. Walden, 2nd Royal Fus., 25.04.00
Pte H. Smith, 2nd Royal Fus., 25.04.00
Pte D. Morrison, Loval Scouts, 25.04.00
Pte D. Thornton, Scots Fus., 26.04.00
Sgt T. Crawley, 27th Coy A.S.C., 25.04.00
Cpl W. Hazel, 2nd Hants, 26.04.00
Pte J. Everitt, 5th Lancers, 27.04.00
Lce-Cpl J. Carey, 1st Essex, 28.04.00
Pte J. Crowe, 1st Essex, 27.04.00
Pte A. Wilkie, 4th Scottish Rif., 28.04.00
Pte M. Higgins, R.W. Fus., 28.04.00
Pte G. Gill, R. Fus., 28.04.00
Lce-Cpl W. Davis, R.W. Fus., 28.04.00
Pte J. Sarson, 1st Liecester, 28.04.00
Pte R.E. Jones, Manchester V.M.S.C., 30.04.00
Pte McDonald, 1st Cam High., 30.04.00
Pte W. Mulholland, Aberdeen Vol Eng., 30.04.00
Sgt G. Dixon, Cheshire, 05.05.00
Ssgt B. Bond, 27th Coy A.S.C., 05.05.00
Pte G. Jones, R.W. Fus., 05.05.00
Pte W. Endersley, 7th Newfound, 04.05.00
Pte G. Neale, 1st Leicester, 05.05.00
Pte M. Gilson, R.W. Fus., 05.05.00
Pte G. Bannon, 2nd R.I. Fus., 05.05.00
Pte G. Wright, 1st K.O.Y.L.I., 06.05.00
Dvr Burns, No,8 Bearer Coy, 10.05.00
Pte E. Dawson, C.I.V., 12.05.00
Dvr J. Robinson, R.F.A., 13.05.00
Pte W. Keir, 1st K.O.S.B., 13.05.00
Lce-Cpl T. Vick, 1st Worcester, 13.05.00
Pte A. Burgess, 1st R.W. Fus., 16.05.00
Pte E.F. Fox, I.Y. Cheshire, 16.05.00
Sgt W.H. Hollies, 5th Lancers, 24.05.00
Pte E. Harvey, 3rd Lancers, 25.05.00
Civ J.H. Mons, A.C.D., 25.05.00
Sgt Revell, 2nd R.I. Fus., 29.05.00
Tpr H. Manus, 1st I.Y., 29.05.00
Pte A. Dale, 2nd R. Scots Fus., 24.05.00
Pte D. Wallace, 1st W. Riding, 25.05.00
Pte J. Hardiman, 1st Worcester, 27.05.00
Pte N. Councell, 6th Middlesex, 28.05.00
Pte S. Slewan, 6th Middlesex, 28.05.00
Pte J.R. Clarkson, 3rd E. Lancs, 24.05.00
Drm Cochrane, 4th N .Staffs, 31.05.00
Tpr Banks, Strath's Horse, 02.06.00
Pte W. Llewellyn, 2nd R. War., 05.06.00
Pte N. Locker, 4th N. Staffs, 07.06.00
Pte W. Broomfield, 4th N. Staffs, 14.06.00
Pte G. Saville, 4th Bedford, 19.06.00
Pte E.J.Carney, R.A.M.C., 29.06.00
Pte J. Mathews, 3rd Lancs, 19.06.00
Lce-Cpl J. Best, 1st K.O.S.B., 14.06.00
Sgt-Maj D. Greer, Loch's Horse, 13.06.00
Lce-Cpl A. Rawbotham, R.E., 26.06.00
Pte J. Norman, 1st Suffolk, 26.06.00
Pte L. Whitmore, 4th N. Staffs, 27.06.00
Sgt G.Thorne, 6th Middlesex, 28.06.00
Lt-Col. Forrester, R. Horse Guards, 18.06.00
Capt Seagrim, R.A., 15.06.00
Pte J.E. Taylor, 9th Hussars, 27.03.00
Lce-Cpl Pigeon, 1st Gloucesters, 28.03.00
Gnr W. Waithman, C.G.A., 05.04.00
Doctor Dairs, I.Y. Staff., 22.04.00
Pte C.H. Ankers, 15th Coy I.Y., 31.05.00




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