The Ladysmith Siege Museum Trust, together with the Siege Museum, successfully repaired the wheels of one of the Neur German Army field guns in Queen Street. The wheels were replaced this morning (June 19).

Using a crane, the gun was lifted up and the new wheels were put on by municipal staff, together with the Museum Trust’s Jan Human.

The gun’s wheels had been damaged over time and were taken in for repairs by Trust staff. The repair work was done by Professor Erik Holm, an entomologist at the University of Pretoria, who is renowned for his work restoring and preserving ox wagons. He used the traditional ‘method of the day’ to restore the wheels to their former glory, says Human.

The 7.7cm Neuer Art 1896 model German Army field guns in Queen Street were used at the beginning of World War 1. Eight of these guns were used by the German forces in South West Africa. The two in Queen Street were brought back to Ladysmith by Natal Carbineers serving with the 8th Horse regiment after taking South West Africa.

The Ladysmith Siege Museum Trust

The Trust was established in 1993 by a small group of individuals who were passionate about the history of Ladysmith and environs.

Since then, they have self funded a large number of heritage projects to the greater benefit of the whole community, solely as volunteers, including: organising the International Conference in Ladysmith to mark the 110th Commemoration of the Anglo-Boer War Research; development, refurbishment and maintenance of the extensive Platrand Anglo-Boer War battlefield with its many important memorials and several cemeteries; memorialising history by erecting new memorials and reinterpreting older ones; commemorative events; publications; architectural conservation; book launches; satellite museums; surveys; and more.

Several projects are planned for the next few years.

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