The Casual Observer

Port Elizabeth of Yore: Market Square used as a Market

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 7 October 2018 0 Comment

For the first forty-five years of Port Elizabeth’s existence, Market Square was the focal point of trade in farmers’ produce in Port Elizabeth. During 1865, the Municipality relocated the Market close to the Law Courts’ Building, but subsequent civic pressure forced them to relent. This was a temporary repieve as it ultimately had to be permanently relocated elsewhere.

This blog covers the period to 1868 when the Market was held in Market Square.

Main picture: Market Square and Castle Hill circa 1860 painted by Mrs J Clark. The free-standing house was the original dedicated Post Office

Quo Vadis: The Future of Main Street

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 5 October 2018 0 Comment

Architecturally Main Street has arguably evolved through four stages in its 200-year history. At the risk of offending the sensibilities of certain of the residents, put in the starkest terms, these stages reflect both the demographics and the economic status of the town. But this venerable street now faces the prospect of terminal decline. It is my strongly held opinion that unless alternative uses are found for the area, whatever architectural merit remains of this area, and this includes Central PE generally, will be irreparably lost forever.

That begs the questions of how and what.

This blog merely serves to raise the warning flag and offer some ideas of what may be done. In its starkest terms, a more comprehensive integrated long-term plan is required to address this issue.

Main picture: Main Street during the transition from the initial plain double storey structures with shops on the ground floor and living accommodation on the first floor to more elegant structures complimenting the graceful Town Hall.

A.J. Montgomery: Part 10 – Life after the 10th Hussars

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 22 September 2018 0 Comment

After enlisting in the 10^th Hussars and undergoing training, war erupted being the two Boer Republics and the British. The 10^th Hussars were immediately mobilised and shipped to the Cape Colony. After spending the whole war on active service without respite, Arthur John Montgomery requested a discharge from the Army. This was not to endure. The monotony of civilian life swiftly disabused Arthur of that notion. Soon he had re-enlisted but this time with the Cape Mounted Rifles in the Cape Colony.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid images of war.

Main picture: Photograph of A.J. Montgomery in his later years Continue reading

A.J. Montgomery: Part 1 – Enlistment and Training with the 10th Hussars

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 22 September 2018 0 Comment

A member of the 10th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. In this episode, Arthur Montgomery recalls his enlistment and training with the 10^th Hussars in Ireland and England. When war was declared against the Boer Republics, the 10^th Hussars were shipped to the Cape Colony where Arthur experiences the whole gamut of warfare. Initially it was conventional in that large opposing forces would clash but after the Boers’ defeat at Diamond Hill outside Pretoria, the war devolved into guerrilla hit-and-run type actions.

AJ’s original narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, sometimes substantially, but it still remains largely the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid images of war.

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

A.J. Montgomery: Part 9 – Through the Cape Colony hunting the Cape Rebels

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 21 September 2018 0 Comment

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

A.J. Montgomery: Part 8 – Mounted Infantry Actions in the Eastern Transvaal

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 21 September 2018 0 Comment

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

A.J. Montgomery: Part 7 – From the Vaal to the Battle of Diamond Hill

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 18 September 2018 0 Comment

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars Continue reading

A.J. Montgomery: Part 6 – Skirmishes through the Free State to the Vaal

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 17 September 2018 0 Comment

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid pictures of war across the dry, dusty and wind-swept plains of the Free State

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

A.J. Montgomery: Part 5 – The Deadly Ambush at Sanna’s Post

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 16 September 2018 0 Comment

A member of the 10^th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. In this episode Arthur Montgomery recalls his part in the attack on Sanna’s Post 16 miles outside Bloemfontein. Instead of success, the ambush by the Boers claimed countless lives and an ignominious retreat.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid pictures of war with Imperial Forces being decimated by Boers in front of the waterworks at Sanna’s Post.

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

A.J. Montgomery: Part 4 – The Relief of Kimberley

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 16 September 2018 0 Comment

A member of the 10^th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. In this episode, Arthur Montgomery recalls his part in the Relief of Kimberley.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid images of war with Imperial Forces still using swords and lances against the wily Boers with their superior fieldcraft using Mausers.

Main picture: Painting of AJ Montgomery of the 10th Hussars