Frederick Michael Ringer

Frederick Michael Ringer was born in Fressinham in Norfolk UK in 1863, but the family later moved to Mendham,He had many siblings 8?9? and was the youngest (I think). He started work in 174 in Draper shop. The moved to London to the prestigious I& J Morley (tailor =made clothes , drappery) wehere he worked from 1875 to 1880 when he left for South Africa (aged 17!). Not sure of reason. DIamonds of Kimberly, diamond boom? TB like his father? For a year or so he worked at Stutterfords in Cape Town (Huge store with every thing).THe he left and acquired a position in Mt Mettam's clothing and drapery store in Heilbron in the Republic of the Orange Free State. Later he took over the business. He retired from business in 1913. Heilbron was (and is) A small town catering for nearby farmers.. (His UK work experience and contacts useful).

He built/bought a farm called Westhill. HIs family grew up there. The farm had a tennis court! He bred horses. imported 'Mendham Boy' a huge horse from UK. He was one of the founders of football in the Orange Free State, if not the first founder. He loved and played football. The first soccer team too play abroad was the Orange Free State Bantu Soccer Club in 1898. Fred and family probably visited UK and family at this time. Oldest daughter mona was given some family items by her granny. A sampler, a silhouette, a bodkin holder. He was President of the OFSFA for many years. He was known and loved throughout the Free State. He was very well liked and was elected Veldt Cornet. When 2nd anglo-Boer war (1899-1902) statred He and Fam left to stay with his wife's relatives in Grahamstown or PE.. He sad that he could not, and would not, fight on either side. A Boer friend came to see hi and said "Ons moet jou perde neem', - Freddie we have to take your horses. After the war in the now British Free State he and fam returned. When he returned to Heilbron aftr war he was again elected , now as Mayor.

He had bought a house in Isipingo in Natal at the coast to which he was intedning to move (Leaving farm) when he died in heilbron before moving. Mona and family had holidayed there with her children and their grandparents, Frederick and Mary. Fre and Mary.

He died suddenly at his home on Monday 2nd June 1924.

So many people - black and white -came to his funeral service that many coul not get into the Anglica ghurch and stood outside.They all walked behind carriage to graveyard. His daughter Mona said it was an anazing sight.. A few days before with a country wide elcetion about to take place, and with much hostility on the Bors part towards the Britich who now rules the two former republics, Fred had said: "This election is knilling me. Ask the reverend who buies me to tell people to stop hating each other, and love one another instead. He must have had some premonition about his death.