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Some
100 years ago thousands of men crossed this territory on foot, with no
transport other than horses and horse drawn wagons. Most were on foot.
Armies fought each other
in bloody battles under difficult conditions.
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Through
it all, and through the 118 day siege of Ladysmith, the ROYAL HOTEL stayed 'open
for business'.
Some of the famous personalities who have stayed at the Royal Hotel are
Frank Rhodes, Leander Starr Jamieson, Melton Prior, and Dr. Stark who was fatally wounded by a Long Tom shell while standing
in the Hotel doorway.
The picture to the right
shows Murchison Street in the 1930's.
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The photograph to the
left is of a memorial at one of the battle sites, depicting the raised hands of dead
soldiers. |
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There is a great deal of
history in the story of Ladysmith - an important rail junction, coaching stop for the
mining magnates between Durban and Johannesburg, and supply town for the agricultural
community.
Perhaps
the most important and interesting part of this history is to be found in the superb Siege
Museum at the Town Hall. (Right) |
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The cannon
below, in the courtyard of the museum, is a replica of the famous 'Long Tom'
used by the Boers during the siege. Three of these were used to terrify the beleaguered
citizens of the town.
Full information is documented in the Siege Museum - a few minutes walk
from the hotel..
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Today
these heavy cannon sit silently outside the Town Hall, carefully preserved as reminders of
the battles and the siege.
Named "Castor" and "Pollux" these 6.3" Howitzers
served the town during the Siege.
For more pictures from the siege
period, click this button:
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