Ingham Boer War Mafeking Tree

Memorial information

Description

This memorial has outstanding significance: as the only known Mafeking 'Tree' (Boer War) memorial in Queensland. It commemorates the Relief of Mafeking (Boer War) on the 17 May 1900. A public holiday was declared across Britain on 23 May 1900 to celebrate. Two years later in 1902, following the death of Queen Victoria, Queen Victoria's birthday, the 24 May, was declared as Empire Day.

Inscription

A plaque under the tree reads: This black bean tree (Castanospermum Australi) was planted on 24th May 1900 as a community gesture to celebrate the relief of the besieged city of Mafeking held by British and Australian troops during the Boer War. The honour of planting the tree was accorded to the Ingham Telegraph master, Mr S T Simpson whose son, Jack, served in the forces besieged in Mafeking.

Conflicts

South African War

Memorial type

Garden/avenue/tree

Contributions

Shirley and Trevor McIvor

Dennis Stocks and Doug Tanner

Photos