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From: Erica van der Werff <>
Subject: Re: [ZA] Stellawood Cemetery, Durban grave.
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 16:48:18 +1300
References: <001001c2bc41$0baa4700$55abdccb@oemcomputer>


Good afternoon to Listers,
As a long departed South African I think there is some confusion about the cemeteries. I am fairly certain that Stellawood cemetery is not in West street in Durban, and I think the confusion may lay with the fact that there is a small cemetery which is around the area of the Old Fort which I think is in West Street. On my last visit there in 1999 I went to this little cemetery, and found several Australian and New Zealand soldiers buried there, and thought of their loved ones being in far off lands. I also visited the grave of my brother who is buried in Stellawood, and it was no where near West street. The little cemetery by the old fort I
think is maintained by the Commonwealth War grave commission, but it was sad to see that there were many 'squatters' living there, and they used the barbed wire fences around the cemetery to dry their washing. Several of these people were also asleep on the graves, and also in the loft above the entrance to the cemetery. I know it is not confined to Durban as my father is in the Pietersburg cemetery, and there too the daily ablutions are done at the taps and the washing hung over the tombstones to dry! I always got a cheery hello and a wave when I visited and upgraded my fathers grave. I cannot imagine why people still want a burial! I lost my
youngest son to suicide at the end of 2000, and there was no question that cremation was the way to go. I can still go to his plot, but when I pass on, his remains and a grave won't be an issue. Just my personal point of view.
Hope 2003 is a good year for all to find your missing rellies.
Kind regards
Erica
Auckland NZ

Gall wrote:

> I am most grateful to Bernie Cramer for finding where Corp. James Morrison, Boer War 4th Imperial Bushman Cgt. was buried in Stellawood Cemetery, West St. Durban. Thank you also to others who responded. Now, I am asking if anyone who lives near this cemetery would be able to take a photo of this old grave , date of death 27.2.1915. As he died in Sth.Africa, where he returned after coming back to Australia after the Boer War, I am not sure whether he will be buried in a military section or not? He was awarded Boer medals as well as WW1 medals. Any help or information will be gratefully received. With thanks Beverley Gall, EUROA, AUSTRALIA.
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