The 'Cape-to-Cairo' flag of Cecil Rhodes CECIL RHODES The 'Cape-to-Cairo' flag of Cecil Rhodes


Edith Caroline Rhodes

Birth: 18 Apr 1848, Walthamstow, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Greater London, England

Death: 5 Jan 1905 (aged 56), St Leonards, Hastings Borough, East Sussex, England

Burial: St. Andrew Churchyard, Fairlight, Rother District, East Sussex, England
A glance at Miss Edith Rhodes shows how close must be the affinity between her and her famous brother Cecil. In addition to a strong family resemblance, there is in both their faces the same look of power and good-tempered determination, and it is easy to see that whatever she does will be well done. Miss Rhodes never shared her brothers exciting adventurers in Kimberley, for at that time she was in England. On returning to South Africa later she was determined to take with her a great quantity of practical comforts both for the troops and for the wounded. With characteristic energy she directed that parcels of such things should be sent to her private address. she herself undertaking to have them conveyed free of cost to their destination. Once in Cape Town , she paid daily visits to all the military hospitals, herself distributing with cherry words of kindly advice and sympathy the comforts and little luxuries which she had been able to bring from "home". This is how she was described in the Illustrated London Times at one time.

Miss Rhodes passed away at her residence, North Lodge, St. Leonards. She had been ill only three days, suffering' from pneumonia. She was older than her brother Cecil, to whom she and her sister were much attached, as evidenced by their stay in South Africa during the troubles there. The Misses Rhodes were old inhabitants of Hastings, and for many years occupied Fairlight-place, a charming residence overlooking the glen of that name. There, Cecil Rhodes was a frequent visitor when in England. Edith and her sister Louisa interested themselves much in Church and charitable work in Hastings. Edith took up her residence at North Lodge, St. Leonards in about 1903. She was a resident there until her passing in 1905.