Posted on 03/07/2004 8:00:17 AM PST by blam
Australia probe 'looting' of Boer War graves
March 07 2004 at 02:33PM
Canberra, Australia - Australia will investigate claims that century-old graves of soldiers who died during the Boer War in South Africa have been looted, the government said Sunday.
Veterans' Affairs Minister Dana Vale ordered the probe after receiving reports that valuable stones, plaques and crosses had been taken from the graves. Vale didn't say where the reports originated.
More than 600 Australians died fighting alongside British and other Commonwealth forces in the 1899-1902 conflict against the Boers in what is present day South Africa.
Vale said the protection of the graves was the responsibility of the British government.
A spokesperson for Vale said an independent report on the condition of the graves would be compiled for the Office of Australian War Graves.
"The minister has asked the director of the Office of Australian War Graves ... to investigate measures to ensure these veterans continue to be honored and remembered," the spokesperson said. - Sapa-AP
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