As a youngster in the 1950s I often walked through this cemetery as the municipal swimming pool was right next to it. (I also have anxestors buried there 150 years ago. That's besides the point, though.) In any case, as kids we firmly believed that the grave with the baboon skeleton had been opened at some time after the realisation of the error. This then, we believed, confirmed the story. In retrospect I now realise that someone may just have made up this "fact" to lend more credence to the story. Your posts are always most interesting. Thanks.

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Thank you for adding that detail. As I'm sure you remember, the graveyard is actually a beautiful and peaceful place. I couldn't find any reports that the grave had been opened to verify, but often people leave unexpected comments that greatly enhance the stories, so maybe we'll get more info.

WOW Al. You and I just love our history it seems. From primary School I couldn't get enough of history.. I just love your videos. Thank you so much for going out to get us all this interesting stories. May your videos go on for many years to come. Please stay safe and God bless... 😊

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Hi Jeffrey, thank you very much for your kind comment. I'm glad you're enjoying my channel and I look forward to your your suggestions for stories too. Best wishes for 2024.

Another good one Al! Thanks for the interesting stories that you publish. I know that a lot of research and hard work goes into it. Thanks.

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for your comment. And thank You for watching.

Thank you so much for this video Sir. I love your sheer passion and interest that you put into every video. I love learning about local history 👌🇿🇦

@JustOfftheHighway

12 күн бұрын

Thanks, I appreciate your comment. Glad you're enjoying the channel.

that’s a macabre twist! wear your dog tags . . . well told, Al, thanks

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Thanks! Yes, always disturbing to think some soldier was possibly never properly identified.

Interesting bit of history.

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Fascinating place. Thanks.

Another great story Al. Have a great 2024

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Hi Tony, thanks! Same to you for the New Year. Perhaps we can find another exciting story together?

@tonydacruz

7 ай бұрын

Tell the Job Maseko story? Worthy of a Netflix Docudrama. @@JustOfftheHighway

I can see myself going on a deep dive with these stories. I the earlier video you said we know more about international history than we know about our own and that is sadly true. So far, every story of yours is one I don't know. I have subscribed and will leave a like on them. Whatever the truth where this story is concerned, I had a brother-in-law who passed under mysterious circumstances and whose body we did not have to bury so we know full well what closure just having a grave would have brought to his loved ones. Thank you for telling Woodward's story.

@JustOfftheHighway

5 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for watching and for your thoughtful comment. 🙏 My condolences for your loss of your brother. As I mentioned in this episode, I found this story while filming another and I returned to share it, because it touched me. BTW, I promise not all the episodes will be quite so grim.

Interesting story Al thanks so much. Happy new year buddy !!

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Thanks very much, Rob. Happy New Year to you too.

One of the most beautiful towns is SA , with such a deep history,I loved living there.thank you Al

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Thanks! I'm very glad you enjoyed it.

Dankie vir jou bydra om die geskiedenis vas te lê.

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Dankie. Baie mense ken al die stories, maar ek ontdek hulle vir myself soos ek aangaan en geniet die proses baie.

Hi Al, I can't remember if you mentioned Ron Miers' grave when you told the van As story. He lies very close to the man who killed him, nearer the gate.

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Hi Jeff, yes, I've done a quick check and the footage of both graves is in that episode at about the 8:00 - 8:20 mark. One can imagine the ghostly arguments that could take place between two old warriors lying so close together. Or perhaps none of that matters in the afterlife.

A simple genetic examination of the first skeleton would show if it were human, as would a proper examination of the skeleton - the teeth would be very different if nothing else were examined!

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Yes, that would make a good episode of CSI Heidelberg, but even if someone was willing to undertake the expense, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission would need to give permission to disturb the resting place on the strength of 120 year old rumours.

@terrynaude284

7 ай бұрын

@@JustOfftheHighwaybut there are two graves.

Hi kan jy ook vir ons sulke vieos maak oor die skoolbus by Westdene dam en die skoolbus op die treinspoor by Meyerton "Henly of klip". Die vloed by Lainsburg en konsentrasiekampe oor die land veral die een by Betulie.. Dankie. Dis lekker om die geskiedenis te lees.

@JustOfftheHighway

5 ай бұрын

Baie dankie vir die kommentaar. Ek is bly dat jy "Just off the Highway" geniet. Daar is definitief 'n episode oor die konsentrasiekampe oppad. Ek onthou die Westdene ramp, maar ek wil nie sonder familie toestemming daaroor 'n video maak nie. Ek lees en leer maar soos ek aangaan en ek sal bring wat ek kan, Dankie vir die ondersteuning.

Considering the low level of education of the standard soldier of the time, and considering that bones were most likely missing from a body buried in a shallow grave, it is quite believable that a baboon skeleton may gave been mistaken for human remains. I don't know if any officers or doctors were involved in the identification process then, or if that duty was left to some humble soldiers.

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Hi Robert. Agreed. There was also the matter that the family was the driving force behind effort. I don't know for sure, but perhaps that was an added incentive for the search to yield the desired result.