Dennis Adams died on Monday, 21st April 2025. A true heritage stalwart, friend and comrade of many years.
In 1986, Den worked on the ‘Johannesburg 100’ committee selecting the 100 items which reflected the City’s rise from gold diggings to modern metropolis. He also took many of the photographs used in The Star’s Care Campaign, and did much of the research to ensure the accuracy of the reports.
As Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust, he promoted its growth enthusiastically; researching and developing new tours, training guides while still leading tours and guarding the finances to ensure we stayed in the black yet never stopped spending on new plaques.
The Anglo Boer War commemorations provided yet more opportunities for new tours, more blue plaques and two books. In every committee on which he served, he helped steer us through some stormy sessions by focusing on the projects and away from the issues.
Den was an achiever, and he was at his most urbane when approaching people to get approval for various schemes. A case in point is the Diary of Isabella Lipp – the only diary written by someone living in Johannesburg during the Anglo Boer War. He tracked down the original to Stellenbosch University, transcribed it, got permission from her family, and went on to edit and finally publish this most valuable contribution to the history of Johannesburg during the war years, when the ZAR was in power and British citizens were forced to leave. Isabella’s husband was a banker (only bankers and bakers were permitted to remain – even doctors, nurses and the fire brigade were made to leave).
Dennis, together with Lorna Jones and I, wrote the little booklet Follow the Flags through Parktown, which fascinated us because the Anglo Boer War had made such a difference to the demographics of Parktown with a sudden invasion of British bureaucrats, keen to live close to their supremo – Lord Milner at Sunnyside Park. This publication is a treasure and remains a valued reference work because Den was so meticulous about the details for each of the houses included. He also created the map for a self-drive tour.
Dennis was always a perfect gentleman and as kind and thoughtful of our young tour leaders as he was to the older ladies who were also committed to heritage causes. He never underestimated Daphne Saul’s contribution and he never missed her birthday celebrations. Her pleasure at recognizing him told its own tale.
Den and Jen were such a great team. Warm, loving, hospitable and happy. It is hard to think of them apart. So, to Jen go our thoughts on this very sad separation. But our memories of Dennis are filled with thanks for the dedication and the heritage he has left us in both his books and the legacy of blue plaques all over the City – from the surrender of Johannesburg on 30 May 1900 to Breaker Morrant’s entry to The Fort. The Anglo Boer War series in Parktown was a special effort, but he also put up plaques for the Egoli Heritage Foundation. I see one or two every day. It is a special memory.
Thank you, Den Adams.
FLO BIRD, APRIL 2025