Sadly, Willem Naudé passed away on 17^th November 2008 without ever seeing the rebuilt monument. His last visit was on 5^th August 2008. Willem had an abiding interest in Langverwacht and the history of Vrede and its inhabitants. He wrote a book about the area during the Anglo Boer war which he had privately printed. He made a number of contacts in New Zealand who supplied many of the pictures that he used in his book. This was his last visit to the site in company with the farm owner, Jan van Reenen and the New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner, Mike Walsh.