South Yorkshire Times March 8, 1947

To See King and Queen
Former Mexborough Couple in South Africa

Wednesday proved a big day for at least one English family.

Writing from Buntingville in South Africa, Mrs Mary Place told her mother and father, Mr Mrs A Needham, of Hirst Gate, Mexborough of the great preparations which were going forward to welcome the Royal family, who were passing through Umtata, which is close to Buntingvillle (Cape province) on Wednesday.

Mr Mrs Place had got seats on the “stand” for the event which everyone had been getting ready since before Christmas. Bunting and streamers decorated every Street, and as for food, they seem to be no end to it.

Apart from the “umpteen thousand loaves, buns, sweets, raisins and gallons of milk,” 300 head of cattle were to be slaughtered.

Amongst other celebrations, the native school choirs were to sing. These would include that of Buntingville Secondary School which the Rev Reginald Place, a Methodist minister is a governor.

Mr Place was formerly at a Mexborough Methodist Church, and Mrs Place, then Miss Mary Needham, was Sunday School Superintendent. She also taught at Doncaster Road School.

They were married at Port Elizabeth where Mr Place was stationed. Altogether there have been out in South Africa nine years and have not visited England once during that time, though they hope to do so before long.

There are two children, both go to school with the natives, with whom they are on the best of terms.