A royal visit to Brakpan

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8 at the age of 96 in Balmoral, Scotland, the Brakpan Herald takes a look back at occasions in our town’s past where this famous figure of British history made headlines.

• Brakpan acclaims Royal Family with great enthusiasm – April 3, 1947 (the then Princess Elizabeth accompanied her family on a royal tour to South Africa and drove through the town). Great enthusiasm marked the visit of the royal family to Brakpan on Wednesday morning.

Huge crowds cheered loudly and as the cars travelled round the town hall, the crowd dashed across the garden to get a second glimpse of them.

Some disappointment was expressed, however, that, being nearly an hour behind the scheduled time, the cars had to travel at some speed.

Most people got a view of one or other of the members of the royal family, but comparatively, few saw them all.
Because of the delay, the arrangements that the Germiston Pipe Band should march in front of the procession had to be cancelled.

Careful planning beforehand ensured that the arrangements went through without a hitch. Almost all the way from the West Springs railway ramp to the Apex subway there was a dense throng of cheering people.

It is estimated that between 50 000 and 60 000 people of all races joined in the demonstration. At the West Springs ramp, the royal procession was joined by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs JV Coetsee).

Proceeding right down Prince George Avenue, the fleet of cars made a round of the town hall before continuing on past Brakpan Mines to Benoni. At the hall, there was a closely packed assembly of thousands.

Ex-servicemen who were under the command of Captain AG Leask and had marched from Hosking Park occupied a position of vantage. With them were the next-of-kin of those who died on active service and Boy Scouts.

The aged and infirm also occupied a special position. The mayor’s party included past mayors and ex-councillors.
Before the arrival of the royal visitors, the Germiston Pipe Band played cheerful selections. School children, under the control of their teachers, lined the route from Boundary Road to a point opposite the Brakpan Mines Golf Course.

The town was gay with flags, bunting, streamers and pennants. Impressive triumphal arches spanned the road at the town hall and Brakpan Mines.

That in the centre of the town was of massive but graceful proportions, the dark green of the fir branches that covered it forming a good background to the flags and banners in the vicinity. Brakpan Mines had a handsome arch in cream, surmounted by an impressive crown.

The Union Jack and Union Flag flew from the tops of mine headgear on the route while the town hall, recently repainted, formed a fine setting for the gay banners, comprising the Springbok colours, shields and grouped flags which adorned it.

Police had a good-natured and orderly crowd to deal with and although the Red Cross and St John Ambulance Brigade were kept fairly busy with fainting cases and similar casualties, there were no mishaps of a serious character.

A novel and spectacular effect were achieved at the Brakpan Mines Compound where Mr WL Brereton’s well-known rock gardens were extended for the visit. It was surrounded by a bright reddish flowering shrub, in addition to the clever sailing ship HMS Smyly, a lighthouse with a signal station, an ox wagon and more quaint huts. Above them all floated a beautiful model aeroplane.

HMS Smyly was fully dressed, with billowing sails. It was here that the East Rand Sea Cadets took up their position. Always an efficient body, they have never looked smarter and they made an impressive guard.

To complete the picture, Mr Brereton had his two lion cubs on view. These were found in the Northern Transvaal some months ago and presented to Mr and Mrs Brereton.

It was a gala day for all, especially the children, who, in addition to the major events of the morning, were given minerals and sweets by the council at their respective schools.

Vantage points were in keen demand also on Tuesday night when bonfires blazed at the top of mine dumps throughout the Rand and thousands of rockets roared into the darkness overhead.

Some six bonfires picked out the mines in the Brakpan area. Great piles of timber, stacked from a 50-foot base to a height of 15 to 20 feet and more, went up in sheets of glaring flames, which illuminated the heavens. Visitors arriving late in Brakpan said that they had seen the fires 50 to 60 miles away.

In the fireworks display, aerial maroons, flares, quarter-of-a-pound and 11lb rockets, 4½ in and 8in mortar shells, roman candled, fired in bouquets and singly, formed the main part of the programme which was divided into 15 items.

Just before the end, there was a mass launching of 2oz rockets, each with a duration of one minute. It was an impressively beautiful sight and one that will be remembered for many a long day.

• 700 at gala ball

About 700 people attended the Royal Visit Ball in the town hall on Wednesday night. They included many prominent Brakpan and other reef residents. The function was extremely well organised and proved most enjoyable.

Both the decorations and catering were of a high standard and evoked general expressions of appreciation.
Dan Hill’s Orchestra was in attendance and the proceeds will be divided between the Mayoress’ Charity Fund and the Baragwanath Military Hospital.

• Local couple saw the Queen crowned – June 5, 1953 (The queen’s coronation took place on June 2, 1953)

Mr and Mrs EW Summerson, who are well-known in Brakpan, were the only people from the town who were in the Abbey to witness the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

After the coronation festivities are over, Mr and Mrs Summerson have planned a continental tour. They will return to Brakpan in August.

In 1948, they were Mayor and Mayoress of Brakpan, and Mr Summerson served on the town council for many years.

• They were there early on Tuesday morning – June 5, 1953

Over 600 people, including a contingent of ex-servicemen, Boy Scouts, cades from the Brakpan and Stoffberg high schools and a Red Cross detachment attended the coronation service convened by the Mayor, Mr BS Gericke, in the town hall gardens on Tuesday morning.

The ex-servicemen paraded at the swimming bath and marched to the town hall led by the cadet band of Brakpan High School and followed by the Red Cross, Boy Scouts and Stoffberg High School cadets.

Nearly all the seats in the amphitheatre were taken up at an early hour while a large number of people squatted on the lawns or watched the proceedings from the parapets lining Kingsway Avenue.

Shortly after 10:00, the Mayor and Mayoress descended the town hall stairs at the head of a group of town councillors and ministers representing the English, Afrikaans and Jewish churches.

They took their seats at the flag-draped dais and the service was opened by the Rev AG Leask of the Presbyterian Church.

Addresses in English and Afrikaans calling for God’s blessing on the young Queen were given and those present joined in prayer and song.

A day of celebration was brought to a grand conclusion at the Coronation Ball in Brakpan Town Hall on Tuesday night. Colourful decorations and effective lighting conveyed an atmosphere of dignified festivity.

• Brakpan to see entire coronation in complete comfort – June 26, 1953

Brakpan’s luxurious Grand Theatre, which for so many years has set a high standard of entertainment, is proud and privileged to present the official fully-length coronation film – A Queen is Crowned – in glorious technicolour produced by the J Arthur Rank Organisation, Monday to Wednesday, June 29 to July 1.

• Honoured by the Queen – September 18, 1953

Among the men in Brakpan who have been recognised for their meritorious service to the state, and presented with Coronation medals by Queen Elizabeth II, in commemoration of her Coronation on June 2, 1953, are Mr CA Backeberg (ex-chief magistrate of Johannesburg), Mr BS Gericke (present Mayor of Brakpan) Mr WP Dormehl (town clerk of Brakpan) Mr WJ Ebertson (chairman of the East Rand School Board) and Mr EH Pells (chief magistrate of Brakpan).