Remember the Austins?

Derek Austin writes by e-mail:-

I WAS searching on the net and came across your website.

I am trying to find out a bit more info on the Natal Border Police unit but as you have stated not much seems to exist in the museum. My paternal grandfather, William Percival Austin, travelled from England, arriving in 1900 to fight in the Boer War. In 1902 he joined the Natal Border Police and in 1903 was appointed the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Northern District Mounted Rifles, until the unit disbanded in 1913.

Apparently after this he either owned or ran the flour mill in Vryheid until he died in 1924.

I am looking for photos and info of him or the unit. His grave still stands in the cemetery in Vryheid. I have one picture of him seated outside the Freemason Lodge in Vryheid.

My father and four brothers were all born in Vryheid but moved to Durban when their father died. There is also mention of a Drill Hall in President street, not sure if that still exists?

[Derek can be contacted by e-mail: pondokie@hotmail.com ]