TOPIC:

From the South Wales Daily News dated 23rd November 1899; p.5:-

A WOMAN'S PLUCK

"The special correspondent of the Daily Mail reports what it very properly describes as a superb instance of a woman's pluck. When the Boers entered Ladygrey with the intention of taking possession of it, they were met by the postmistress, an Englishwoman, who not only declined to turn over the Post Office to them, but ordered them off the premises and dared them to interfere with colonial property. The Boers were nonplussed by the lady's determined manner. They went outside and hoisted the Free State flag. The postmistress pulled it down, and ran up the Union Jack again. The Boers stuck up a proclamation annexing the district. The postmistress tore it down and put up the Government's proclamation against treason. The Boers finally retired, and the last accounts from Ladygrey state that the heroic woman is still in possession of the Post Office."

And all without a shot being fired!!

What a great story and a most feisty lady. I don't blame the Boers for retiring!

A search on the internet gives her name as Sarah Glueck.

Maybe this scene was repeated elsewhere during the war.

More on Mrs. Sarah Glueck:

When the local magistrate ordered all Government offices to quit, Sarah was one of the last to leave taking every piece of property and Post Office instruments.
She then took up residence in Herschel being appointed postmistress there. When Major Hook reoccupied Ladygrey he sent for Mrs. Glueck and she then took on the responsibility of running both Ladygrey and Herschel Post Office s as postmistress. This involved a daily journey on horseback whiich owing to her character was made regularly.
During the occasions when the Boer forces were in occupation of Ladygrey, Mrs. Glueck established an Intelligence Department which supplied the British forces with information on the occupation of the town and district and so provided intelligence which would influence military operations in the area. This was made possible by the assistance of native runners who ran the gauntlet of the Boer sentries etc.
Lord Milner showed his appreciation for her hard work by promoting Mrs. Geluck to the postmistresship of Springs, where she served the Post Office for 20 years until she was retired with pension.
Mrs. Glueck eventually sailed around the world finally settling down in Port Elizabeth with a married daughter.

I wonder if Sarah Glueck received a Queens South Africa medal because of her contribution to the planning and conduct of military operations around Ladygrey.

Any further anecdotes from the forum concerning this indomitable character would be most gratefully received.

Hi Dunnboer,
Many thanks for the image showing Sarah. She was quite a celebrity!
Cheers Steve

There's a write up here:
www.ruraltours.co.za/wp-content/uploads/...es-van-Lady-Grey.pdf
Rob

The only thing that I can add to this fantastic story......

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...n-guard-church#75062

Thanks to everyone who has submitted postings.....

Mike