February’s Pot of the Month is this 4 ⅜”/11cm conical vase, bearing a commemorative decoration relating to the Boer War. The significance of this particular decoration is that after a siege lasting 118 days, General Sir Redvers Buller and his forces eventually succeeded in breaking through to relieve Ladysmith on 24th February 1900.
As you are probably aware, the Boer War started as a result of Britain’s wish to unite the British South African territories of Cape Colony and Natal with the Boer republics of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic (also known as the Transvaal), while the Boers, Afrikaans-speaking farmers, wanted to maintain their independence. The war was incredibly bloody on both sides, with dreadful casulaties. This is the reason why W.H Goss made a “South Africa” (Boer War) commemorative piece. Such was the war’s impact, that in 1906 when they built a new brick-and-cinder terrace at Liverpool’s Anfield football ground it was named “The Kop”, in memory of those who died in the battle.
