On the shores of the Vaal Dam, on the Free State side opposite Vaal Marina, is a small graveyard containing a few graves but only a single gravestone. This marks the grave of Hermanus Lombard.
The inscription on the gravestone in the image below has been enhanced to make it more readable. Translated into English it reads:
Hermanus Stephanus
Lombard died at Erfbloem 9 May 1930
At an age of 91 years 9 month and 10 days
Born 1838 3rd of July
Hermanus's gravestone (Horst Müller)
Who was Lombard and why am I writing an article about him? What follows is the story of an event that happened during the 1st Boer War that totally changed his life.
Things began at the Battle of Bronkhorstspruit on 20 December 1880. A regiment of British soldiers proceeding to Pretoria was blocked by Boer forces. An uneven battle ensued leading to the loss of many men. The only British officer not killed or wounded was Captain Elliot. He was taken prisoner with the remaining men and sent to Pretoria. At that time, a Captain Lambert was also captured while transferring horses from the Free State to Pretoria.
In Pretoria, the two officers were given a choice, either stay in prison until the end of the war or accept a pardon and leave the country with the promise not to participate further in any action against the Boer republic. They...
