Lilydale war memorial: Thieves have stolen Siege of Mafeking plaque in Melba Park
Heartless thieves have stolen a 120-year-old commemoration of a Boer War siege that was bolted down at one of the oldest war memorials in Victoria, with a Yarra Valley war historian saying the missing plaque is a “severe loss” to the area.
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One of the oldest war memorials in Victoria has been desecrated with a 120-year-old plaque stolen from Lilydale.
The brass plate, which commemorated troops breaking through a famous siege of South African town Mafeking in the Boer War – which involved two Wandin brothers – is missing after it was place there more than a century ago.
The theft of the plaque, which was bolted onto an iron guard fence around an oak tree, planted in 1900 in Melba Park, is being investigated by police.
Yarra Valley war historian Anthony McAleer said it was the oldest war memorial in the Yarra Ranges and one of the oldest in Victoria.
“This is a disgrace and a severe loss to the history and heritage of the Yarra Ranges,” Mr McAleer said.
“Hopefully it hasn’t gone to a scrap metal dealer.”
He said the Lilydale community planted the oak tree and placed the plaque in 1900 to commemorate the relief of Mafeking, a town besieged in South Africa during the Boer War.
“For 120 years it has sat there, where it has been admired by generations of residents,” he said.
“Sadly some scumbags have now stolen it.”
He said three days after the war started in 1899, a large Boer force crossed into British territory in South Africa and attacked the town of Mafeking.
“The military and civilian units in the town resisted the attack, resulting in Mafeking being surrounded and besieged for 209 days,” Mr McAleer said.
“In May 1900, a flying column of British cavalry arrived and relieved the town.
“The commanding officer at Mafeking was Colonel Robert Baden-Powell, who later went on to form the Boy Scout movement.”
He said there were two Aussie men who were part of the column – C and H Lewis from Wandin.
“In Lilydale, when they heard the news, local bells were rang and people gathered in the streets to celebrate,” Mr McAleer said.
“The council announced that May 24, 1900 would be a day of celebrations known as ‘Mafeking Day’ and a large procession headed by the Lilydale.
“Then on June 13 an English oak was planted in what is now Melba Park and called the ‘Mafeking Tree’.”
Lilydale Historical Society president Sue Thompson said the plaque was a real piece of the region’s history.
“(The relief of the siege) It was a huge event worldwide and Lilydale had a parade,” Mrs Thompson said.
“They wanted to rename the main street Mafeking.”
She said Lilydale’s sweetheart Dame Nellie Melba was friends with Baden-Powell, who visited the plaque.
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