CENTENARY RETROSPECTIVE
DELVILLE WOOD 1916 – 2016
SINKING OF THE SS MENDI 1917 – 2017
i ii FOREWORD
FOREWORD BY BRIG GEN (REV) MA PRÉFACE PAR LE BRIGADIER GÉNÉRAL JAMANGILE ensp, psc(j), (révérend) MA JAMANGILE, CHAIRMAN, DELVILLE WOOD PRÉSIDENT DE DELVILLE WOOD COMMEMORATIVE MUSEUM TRUST COMMEMORATIVE MUSEUM TRUST
When World War I broke out in 1914, Lorsque la Première Guerre Mondiale the new Union of South Africa as a a éclaté en 1914, l’Union d’Afrique du nation was just four years old. Sud comme nation était tout juste âgée Only twelve years had passed since de quatre ans et onze ans seulement la the end of the Anglo-Boer War in séparaient de la fin de la guerre Anglo- 1902. Nevertheless, members of the Boer de 1902. Néanmoins, les membres Union Defence Force (UDF) were de l’Union des Forces de Défense (UDF) committed first to the invasion of ont été envoyés dans un premier temps German South West Africa and en Afrique du sud-ouest pour combattre subsequently to the war in Europe. l’invasion allemande, puis sur le théâtre de crise européen. It is estimated that 235 000 South Africans of all races served in World War I. Of these, some On estime la participation sud-africaine à l’effort de guerre 13 700 lost their lives on the various fronts. de la Premier Guerre Mondiale à 235 000 combattants, parmi eux, 13 700 ont perdu la vie sur les différents Two particular events had a seminal effect on the champs de bataille. consciousness of the new Union of South Africa. Au cours de cette guerre, deux événements marquants The first, the Battle of Delville Wood in July ont eu un impact précurseur sur la conscience de l’Union 1916, resulted in the tragic loss of 763 South d’Afrique du Sud. African lives, a large proportion of the total of 2 375 fatalities in France in that war. This battle Le premier à retenir est la bataille de Delville Wood, en juillet was however also a reason for national pride, 1916. Ce combat entraina la disparition tragique de 2 375 following the stoic defence of the Wood by the combattants au total, dont 763 sud-africains. Il reste de 1st South African Infantry Brigade over six days cette bataille une fierté nationale découlant d’une résistance and five nights. inébranlable, durant six jours et cinq nuits, de la 1ère brigade d’infanterie sud-africaine, qui a défendu avec courage la forêt No less tragic was the loss of 628 members of the de Delville. South African Native Labour Corps in the sinking of the troopship SS Mendi on 21 February, 1917. Le second évènement n’est pas moins tragique, puisque 628 The bravery displayed by the troops as the ship membres du South African Native Labour Corps ont péri dans sunk has become the stuff of legend. le naufrage du bâtiment de transport de troupes SS Mendi, le 21 février 1917. La bravoure dont ont témoigné les troupes It has been a privilege for the South African ayant péri dans le naufrage fait aujourd’hui figure de légende. Delville Wood Commemorative Museum Trust to prepare this Centenary Retrospective of the Cela a été un privilège pour le South African Delville Battle of Delville Wood and the Sinking of the Wood Commemorative Museum Trust de préparer la SS Mendi, as a tribute to the South African men commémoration du centenaire de la bataille de Delville Wood and women of all races who lost their lives in the et du naufrage du SS Mendi. Cette commémoration est un Great War. hommage à tous les hommes et femmes sud-africains, de toutes races, qui ont perdu la vie dans la Grande Guerre.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM! NOUS NOUS SOUVIENDRONS D’EUX!
1 LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS
The following photographs have not been provided with captions. Please follow the list below for ease of reference:
Cover
Front Cover: Delville Wood Memorial SS Mendi
Front Cover Extension: Delville Wood in Longueval The Cemetery at Delville Wood
Inside Front Cover Extension: The SS Mendi Memorial In Atteridgeville SS Mendi Memorial on the Campus of the University of Cape Town
Inside Front Cover: Memorial Stone at Arques-la-Bataille Memorial Cross at Arques-la-Bataille Cemetery Arques-la-Bataille Cemetery
Inside Back Cover: Cape Corps Memorial Kimberley Cape Corps Roll of Honour 1st Bn Cape Corps
Inside Back Cover Extension: The Two Minutes’ Silence
Back Cover Extension: Delville Wood Map of Longueval and Delville Wood
Back Cover: Aerial photograph of Delville Memorial and Museum The Last Tree at Delville Wood The Wood Delville Wood Museum
Inside pages
Page 5: The Delville Wood Memorial with Museum behind Page 15: The statue of Castor and Pollux on top of the Delville Wood Memorial Page 29: Delville Wood Memorial Page 37: SS Mendi Memorial on the Campus of the University of Cape Town Page 41: Cape Corps Memorial in Kimberley Page 65: Delville Wood Cemetery and Memorial Page 66: Delville Wood Memorial in Cape Town Page 69: Delville Wood
2 CONTENTS
Foreword 1
South Africa in World War I 5
The Battle of Delville Wood 15
The Memorial at Delville Wood 19
Delville Wood Commemorative Museum 21
Delville Wood Cemetery 23
The Wood 25
The Delville Wood Crosses 29
Arques-la-Bataille Cemetery 36
The Sinking of SS Mendi 37
The Battle of Square Hill 41
Rolls of Honour 43
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission 65
The South African Delville Wood Commemorative Museum Trust 67
Acknowledgements 69
The Two Minutes’ Silence (inside back cover)
3 4 SOUTH AFRICA IN WORLD WAR 1
The Union of South Africa came into being on the 31st May 1910 as a dominion of the British Empire, consisting of the former British colonies of the Cape of Good Hope and Natal, and the two Boer republics, the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek and the Oranje Vrijstaat.
The Treaty of Vereeniging brought the Anglo-Boer War to an end, but gave rise to a political situation fraught with difficulty. Residual animosity existed between the Dutch and English-speaking former combatants and also in the fact that the Black population had been ignored in the settlement. The political exclusion of Black people led to the establishment in 1912 of what is today the African National Congress, the current ruling political party. The animosity felt by the Boer and Black populations of South Africa was understandable. The British strategy to hasten the end of the Anglo-Boer War resulted in the deaths from illness and starvation of approximately 28 000 Boer women, children and elderly and 22 000 Black people in concentration camps. Their farms, livestock, homesteads and livelihoods were laid waste.
The majority of the South African population therefore had little reason to assist Great Britain when the Great War broke out. Despite that, General Louis Botha, Prime Minister of the Union and former Commandant General of the Transvaal Boer forces, committed the UDF to the defence of the Union and undertook to invade German South West Africa on behalf of Great Britain.
At the outbreak of the War, the fledgling Union Defence Forces were mobilized. The forces consisted of a small Permanent Force element, supplemented by the Coast Garrison and Citizen Force, the Rifle Associations (essentially former Boer Commandos) and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
The South Africa Defence Act of 1912 provided that white South African males would be liable for service in defence of the country. The Act permitted the UDF to be used in action in German South West Africa (now Namibia), as the territory lay immediately on the border of South Africa. It did not allow such troops to be used beyond the immediate region of South Africa.
At the conclusion of the German South West African campaign in July 1915, it became necessary to find another means to continue the war effort. Political circumstances also made it unwise to change the provisions of the Act. The solution was to raise new formations which would be titled Imperial Service Contingents. These would technically be British units paid for by the Imperial Government in Great Britain.
5 German South West Africa
THE BATTLEFIELD OF SANDFONTEIN
The UDF embarked on the German South West African campaign on the 18th September 1914 with a landing at Luderitz Bay. The first major engagement was the Battle of Sandfontein. Before operations against the Germans could proceed, General Botha had to contend with a rebellion when certain elements in the UDF and the Afrikaner population chose not to support the Government’s decision. After the Rebellion was suppressed, the campaign continued and was brought to conclusion in July 1915 when the governor of German South West Africa surrendered to General Botha. South African losses amounted to 241 killed and 263 wounded, which included Black and Coloured soldiers.
German East Africa
At the end of 1915, the British position in East Africa seemed critical. South Africa raised an Imperial Service Contingent consisting of 10 mounted regiments, 12 infantry battalions, one motorcycle battalion, six artillery batteries and two scout (reconnaissance) units. The first units arrived in enyaK and Nyasaland (now Malawi) in January 1916 and were engaged in the battles around Mount Kilimanjaro in February and March 1916. Under the command of General JC Smuts and then Lieutenant General JL Van Deventer, the South Africans had as their adversary the wily German General Paul Von Lettow-Vorbeck, who continued to fight until the end of the War.
During the advance from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Central Railway, the South Africans undertook the longest forced march of the First World War. After pausing to reorganize, they drove the Germans across the Rufiji river. In all, they marched 800 kilometers through some of the worst terrain in the world.
While the South African forces in German East Africa suffered relatively few casualties from enemy action, they were ravaged by tropical diseases. South Africa sent 43 477 men to German East Africa, and 75% of the force were evacuated, suffering malaria, dysentery and the more virulent forms of tick fever.
1st South African Infantry Brigade (SAI)
The Imperial Government requested South Africa to provide further troops for service in other theatres as early as April 1915. As a consequence, the 1st SA Infantry Brigade was formed for service in Europe under command of Brigadier General Tim Lukin. The Brigade comprised four regiments: 1st SAI (Cape Province), 2nd SAI (Natal and Orange Free State), 3rd SAI (Transvaal and Rhodesia), 4th SAI (South African Scottish) and supporting arms. There were 160 officers and 5 468 other ranks when the Brigade arrived in England in November 1915. Although the Brigade was trained for service on the Western Front, it was sent to Egypt where, together with other Imperial forces,
6 it engaged the local Senussi people supported by the Ottoman Turks. The campaign was successfully concluded and by 20th April 1916 the Brigade disembarked at Marseilles in France to enter the European theatre of war.
Launched on the 1st July 1916 after a week’s bombardment, the Battle of the Somme was expected to last weeks but ended in the mud in November. As a component of the 9th (Scottish) Division, the South African Brigade moved into the battle zone on 2nd July, and by 4th July was embroiled in relief operations at Glatz Redoubt, near Montauban-en-Picardie. By 8th July, elements of the Brigade were in Bernafay Wood and, by 10th July, were supporting the British attacks on Trones Wood. Its first week in the battle cost the Brigade 537 casualties.
Between 15th and 20th July 1916, the Brigade, consisting of 3 153 men, entered Delville Wood, a tactically important salient into the German second line. The Brigade was subjected to an onslaught of such unrelenting violence that the wood itself disappeared, shattered by the intensity of the artillery bombardments of friend and foe alike. Having expended their ammunition, the men resorted to hand-to-hand combat. After five days of constant fighting, when the Brigade was relieved, a mere 142 souls emerged from the devastation. Eventually 780 men of the Brigade assembled; 1 709 had been wounded and 763 killed (457 killed in action, 120 died of wounds and 186 missing in action, their deaths assumed).
The Brigade remained on the Somme and in October 1916 was involved in the attack on the Butte de Warlencourt. It later fought on the Arras front and in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. In March 1918, during the German offensive, it was almost annihilated at Marrieres and Gauche Woods on the Somme. The remains of the Brigade fought in April and May at Messines, Wytschaete and around Mont Kemmel and, reduced to a battalion-scale, they took part in the capture of Meteren in July. The Brigade left the 9th (Scottish) Division, was re-formed in England and joined the 66th (East Lancashire) Division in September 1918.
In the advance to victory, the South African Infantry Brigade had the honour, on the 11th November 1918, to be at the easternmost point gained by any troops of the British Army in France.
The casualties of the Brigade were close to 15 000, nearly 300 per cent of the original strength. Of these some 5 000 had died.
The South African Brigade Victoria Cross Winners
The First World War produced extremely courageous acts, most of them not recognized by any award - but that is why, when a Victoria Cross (VC) is awarded, it is held in such esteem. The Victoria Cross was awarded to two South Africans who fought with the South African Brigade. One was won during the battle of Delville Wood, by William Frederick Faulds, and the other by William Henry Hewitt in Belgium, just to the east of Ypres. Their Citations read:
William Frederick Faulds VC, MC
Born Cradock, Eastern Cape South Africa 19th February 1895
Died and buried at Salisbury, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) 16th February 1950 Pioneer Cemetery, Harare
Regiment 1st South African Infantry Regiment (Cape Province)
Rank Private when awarded the VC and reaching the rank of Captain
7 The citation for the Victoria Cross (VC):
“A bombing party under Lieut Craig attempted to rush over 40 yards (37 m) of ground which lay between the British and enemy trenches. Coming under very heavy rifle and machine gun fire the officer and the majority of the party were killed and wounded. Unable to move, Lieut Craig lay midway between the two lines of trench, the ground being quite open. In full daylight, Pte Faulds, accompanied by two other men, climbed over the parapet, ran out, picked up the officer, and carried him back. Two days later Private Faulds again showed most conspicuous bravery in going out alone to bring in a wounded man, and carried him nearly half a mile to a dressing-station. The artillery fire was at the time so intense that stretcher-bearers and others considered that any attempt to bring in the wounded man meant certain death.”
Faulds also won the Military Cross (MC) for actions at Hedicourt later in the War. The citation reads:
“In the retirement from the line east of Hendicourt, 22 March 1918, he was commanding one of the platoons which formed the rear-guard. He handled his men most ably, and exposed himself freely. Though the enemy pressed hard, he, by his fearless and able leadership, checked them, and enabled the remainder of the battalion to withdraw with slight loss.”
William Henry Hewitt VC
Born Copdock, Suffolk, England 19th June 1884
Died and buried at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 7th December 1966 Cheltenham Cemetery and Crematorium, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Regiment 2nd South African Infantry Regiment (Natal and Orange Free State)
Rank Lance Corporal when awarded the VC and reaching the rank of Major
The citation reads:
“On 20 September 1917 east of Ypres, Belgium, Lance-Corporal Hewitt attacked a pill-box with his section and tried to rush the doorway. The garrison, however, proved very stubborn and in the attempt the lance-corporal received a severe wound. Nevertheless he proceeded to the loophole of the pill-box where, in his attempts to put a bomb in it, he was again wounded in the arm. Undeterred, he finally managed to get the bomb inside where it dislodged the occupants and they were successfully dealt with by the rest of the section.”
8 Battle Honours of the South African Infantry Regiments Honours shown in bold are emblazoned on the regimental colours of the four regiments st nd
1st South African Infantry Regiment 2nd South African Infantry Regiment • Agagiya, Egypt 1916 2• Egypt 1916 1• Somme 1916 Delville Wood • Somme 1916 • Le Transloy, Arras 1917 • Delville Wood Le Transloy • Scarpe 1917 • Arras 1917 • Ypres 1917 • Scarpe 1917 • Menin Road, Lys • Ypres 1917, Menin Road • Messines 1918 • Lys, Messines 1918 • Kemmel 1918 • Kemmel 1918 • Hindenburg Line, Cambrai 1918 • Hindenburg Line, Cambrai 1918 • Selle, France and Flanders 1916–1918 • Selle, France and Flanders 1916–1918 rd th
3rd South African Infantry Regiment 4th South African Infantry Regiment 3• Agagiya, Egypt 1916 4• Egypt 1916 • Somme 1916 • Somme 1916 • Delville Wood • Delville Wood Le Transloy • Le Transloy, Arras 1917 • Arras 1917 • Scarpe 1917 • Scarpe 1917 • Ypres 1917, • Ypres 1917, Menin Road • Menin Road • Lys, Messines 1918 • Passchendaele • Kemmel 1918 • France and Flanders 1916–1918 • Hindenburg Line, Cambrai 1918 • Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1916–1918
9 South African Heavy Artillery – (SAHA)
After cession of hostilities in German South West Africa (Namibia), South Africa assembled both Field Artillery and Heavy Artillery Batteries for service overseas. The South African Field Artillery served with distinction in both East Africa and Palestine, but not in Europe.
For the German South West Africa campaign a Heavy Artillery Brigade had been formed in Cape Town. It was equipped with 4.7 inch and 4 inch naval guns. The gunners were drawn from non-commissioned officers of the Royal Marine Artillery and various South African Artillery units. When disbanded, at the end of German South West Africa Campaign, this brigade formed the nucleus of recruits for the Regiment of Heavy Artillery being recruited for service in Europe. The regiment contained five batteries of Heavy Artillery, numbered 1 to 5 and recruited primarily, similar to the Infantry Brigade, from the different provinces/areas of South Africa.
Between 28th August and 17th October 1915, 34 officers and 636 gunners embarked at Cape ownT for England, where the regiment established itself at Bexhill in Sussex.
Before embarking for Europe the War Office of the British Government decided to affiliate the five South African batteries to the Royal Garrison Artillery, an arm of the British Royal Regiment of Artillery and equip them each with four 6-inch 26cwt breech-loading Howitzers. Later a 6th battery, the 125th (Transvaal) was formed. The batteries received a Royal Garrison Artillery number.
Union Defence Force designation Royal Garrison Artillery numbering
1st Battery - Western Cape Province 73rd Siege Battery RGA
2nd Battery - Eastern Cape Province 74th Siege Battery RGA
3rd Battery – Transvaal 71st Siege Battery RGA
4th Battery – Griqualand West 72nd Siege Battery RGA
5th Battery – Natal 75th Siege Battery RGA
6th Battery raised
Transvaal 125th Siege Battery RGA
The SAHA in France and Flanders
During the months of April and May 1916 the five batteries landed at Le Havre in France, followed in July by the 125th. Rather than supporting the South African Infantry Brigade, the SAHA were deployed across the width of the Western Front. They were not even brigaded together. In fact, the SAHA supported their countrymen in only three actions:
• the 75th (Natal) Siege Battery RGA at the Butte de Warlencourt as part of the Somme Campaign in October 1916;
• the 74th (Eastern Cape Province) Siege Battery RGA during the third battle of Arras at Vimy Ridge during the April of 1917; and
• the 71st (Transvaal) during the 3rd Ypres in the summer of 1917.
10 Due to the demand for artillery, all the SAHA batteries were in action during the Battle of the Somme. It was here that the 73rd (Western Cape Province) Siege Battery RGA achieved the all-time First World War record rate of fire of 32 rounds per gun in eight minutes. The 74th (Eastern Cape Province) Siege Battery RGA fired a total 1733 rounds on the 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. On the 1st July 1916, the 75th (Natal) Siege Battery RGA recorded firing 1,312 rounds before noon.
During the Third Battle of Arras both the 72nd (Griqualand West) Siege Battery RGA and 73rd (Western Cape Province) Siege Battery RGA supported the Canadian Attack of the 9th/10th April 1917. Both batteries suffered heavy casualties. They even endured The Red Baron’s “Flying Circus” strafing the gun positions.
Already mentioned was the 74th (Eastern Cape Province) Siege Battery RGA supporting the South African Infantry Brigade at Vimy Ridge. It was during this engagement the 74th was deployed as the battery closest to the enemy of all of the British artillery.
The 71st (Transvaal) Siege Battery RGA supported the South African Infantry Brigade at Third Ypres (see above). The 74th (Eastern Cape Province) Siege Battery RGA was also engaged in the same battle and suffered such heavy casualties that it only had 17 gunners to serve all four guns per shift, and when the battery was withdrawn it was reduced to one gun and 70 gunners of all ranks.
The 125th (Transvaal) Siege Battery RGA was also in action during the Somme and Third Arras campaigns before being attached to the Belgium Army for a time.
During the latter part of 1917 and early 1918, the RGA was reorganized and the SAHA were formed into two Heavy Artillery Brigades.
The 44th (South 44th (South African) Heavy Artillery Brigade African) Heavy Artillery Brigade was in action from January 1918 initially deployed for 71st (Transvaal) Siege Battery RGA counterbattery fire. The Brigade was heavily engaged in the German “Operation Michael” offensive, with the 71st (Transvaal) 73rd (Western Cape Province) Siege Battery RGA Siege Battery RGA, firing over 11,000 rounds between the 9th and 18th April 1918 alone. The Brigade continued its sterling work 125th (Transvaal) Siege Battery RGA until the cession of hostilities on the 11th November, and suffered its last casualties on the night of the British 20th Siege Battery RGA 6th November 1918.
The 50th (South 50th (South African) Heavy Artillery Brigade African) Heavy Artillery Brigade between January and October 1918, had the 72nd (Griqualand West) Siege Battery RGA honour of supporting the Australian, British and Canadian corps. They were also ordered to prepare positions to support 74th (Eastern Cape Province) Siege Battery RGA the Portuguese Division, an order that was cancelled. This would have made the brigade unique in its support of four different nations. 75th (Natal) Siege Battery RGA Similar to the 44th (South African) Heavy Artillery Brigade, the brigade was very active during 1918, with its final action taking place on British 275th Siege Battery RGA the 20th October 1918 at Wallers in support of a Canadian attack. The Brigade’s last engagement of the war was the The War was over. 167 South Africans died 24th October 1918 after which it was placed in the serving with the South African Heavy Artillery in army reserve, and remained there until the France and Flanders. Armistice.
11 List of Honours won by the SAHA during the 1st World War
British Gallantry Medals & Awards Foreign Gallantry Medals & Awards DSO 11 (Distinguished Service Order) French Croix de Guerre 3
OBE (Military Division) 1 (Order of the British Empire) French Medaille Militaire 2
MBE (Military Division) 1 (Member of the British Empire) Belgium Ordre de la Couronne 1
MC and Bar 1 (Military Cross *) Belgium Croix de Guerre 5
MC 26 (Military Cross) Belgium Ordre de Leopold 1
DCM 13 (Distinguished Conduct Medal) Italian Silver Medal for Military Valour 1
MM and Bar 1 (Military Medal *) Italian Bronze Medal for Military Valour 1
MM 59 (Military Medal)
Meritorious Service Medal 5
MID 28 officers, 13 Warrant Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Gunners (Mentioned in Despatches)
*A bar denotes winning the Gallantry Medal twice
SAHA Memorials
At the end of WWI twelve 6-inch 26 cwt breech loading howitzers were brought to South Africa, with six being incorporated in war memorials to the SAHA in the post-war years. The remaining six were given to the Army. The six SAHA memorials are located as follows:
72nd (Griqualand West) Siege 73rd (Western Cape Province) 71st (Transvaal) Siege Battery: Battery: Clyde N Terry Museum, Siege Battery: Company Gardens, Johannesburg Zoo Kimberley Cape Town
74th (Eastern 75th (Natal) Siege Battery: Cape Province) Siege Warriors’ Gate, Durban Battery: Port Elizabeth. (Gun currently moved to the National Museum Bloemfontein to be 125th (Transvaal) Siege restored) Battery: Near the Union Buildings, Pretoria
6” HOWITZER USED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN FORCES ON THE SOMME
The SAHA Battle Honours
In keeping with the traditions of the South African Artillery, the battle honours won by the SAHA are not displayed, but battle honours were granted by the order GO 5997 of 21st April 1926:
12 1916-1917 Ypres, Somme 71st (Transvaal) Siege Battery RGA 1917 Bullecourt, Croisilles, Ypres, Cambrai 1918 Givenchy, Hulluch, The Scheldt
1916-1917 Ypres, Somme 72nd (Griqualand West) Siege Battery RGA 1917 Arras, Lens area, Ypres 1918 Ypres, Arras, Cambrai
1916-1917 Somme 73rd (Western Cape Province) Siege Battery RGA 1917 Vimy, Ypres 1918 Givenchy, Hulluch, The Scheldt
1916 Somme 74th (Eastern Cape Province) Siege Battery RGA 1917 Arras, Ypres 1918 Ypres, Arras, Cambrai
SAHA Battle Honours 1916-1917 Somme 75th (Natal) Siege Battery RGA 1917 Ypres 1918 Ypres, Arras, Cambrai
1916-1917 Somme 125th (Transvaal) Siege Battery RGA 1917 Arras, Lens area, Steenvoorde 1918 Givenchy, Hulluch, The Scheldt
South African Native Labour Corps (SANLC)
Prior to the formation of the South African Native Labour Corps in late 1916, some 35 000 black South Africans had served as part of a labour contingent in German South West Africa as drivers and general labourers. A further 18 000 went to serve in German East Africa.
MEMBERS OF SANLC PREPARING WOOD FOR THE TRENCHES
In Europe, as the campaign dragged on, the battlefields of the Somme and those in Flanders became an insatiable maw, demanding ever more men to replace those who had been killed and wounded. The men at the front had to be supported by those in the lines of communication.
Ninety thousand black and coloured South Africans were recruited in South Africa for rear echelon and support duties. From those, more than 25 000 volunteers served in France in the South African Native Labour Corps (SANLC) to provide that support. Many of them were exposed to the dismal scenes of the battlefield. Most, however, served at the great French ports of Le Havre, Rouen, Boulogne, Dieppe, Calais and Dunkirk, where they were engaged in offloading the millions of tons of munitions and supplies necessary for continuing the arW on the Western Front. Many of these men lost their lives due to awful working and unsanitary conditions and enemy fire.
13 On the 16th January 1917, the SS Mendi troopship sailed from Cape Town en route to Le Havre in France carrying a contingent of the SANLC, comprising 802 black soldiers, 5 white officers and 17 NCOs as well as 89 crew members. On the morning of 21st February 1917, in heavy fog, another ship, the SS Darro, travelling at full speed and emitting no warning signals, rammed the SS Mendi, which sank in 25 minutes. 626 men of the SANLC perished in this wreck. Most of them are commemorated on Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton.
The total losses of the SANLC in Europe amounted to 1120 men. 260 of them rest in Arques-la-Bataille Cemetery, near Dieppe, where the N°1 General Labour Hospital was established. Members of the SANLC did not receive medals.
The Cape Corps
In December 1915 the Cape Corps was formed, a unit comprising only Coloured troops.
Despite the fact that government policy at the time stipulated that only white males could be used in a combatant capacity, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Cape Corps were formed as combat units. The decision was made easier by the fact that all the units being raised for service following the German South West Africa campaign would be Imperial Service units paid for by the British Government. The 1st Battalion Cape Corps served in German East Africa from February 1916 to December 1917 and suffered 163 men killed in action. Eleven Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCM), seven Military Medals (MM) and two Belgian decorations for bravery were awarded to personnel of the Battalion during this period. Following on the success of recruiting for the 1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion Cape Corps was formed in June 1917. This battalion continued to serve in German East Africa until July 1918.
After returning to South Africa, news was received that the British Army Council wished to reorganize the 1st Battalion Cape Corps for service in Palestine. The Battle of Square Hill (19 – 21 September 1918) was the climax of the involvement of the 1st Battalion Cape Corps in the First World War. During this battle it suffered 51 killed, 101 wounded and one taken prisoner. For its actions carried out at Square Hill and Kh Jebeit, members of the Battalion were awarded one Distinguished Conduct Medal, one Military Cross, and five Mentioned in Despatches (MID). Those who lost their lives lie buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery north of the city, while the gun captured at Square Hill was brought back to South Africa where it became the focal point of the Square Hill Memorial in Kimberley in the Northern Cape. The total losses of the two battalions during the war amounted to 545 men.
Other South African units serving in Europe or in Palestine
South African Medical A South African General Hospital was installed at Richmond, England, and another Corps was at Abbeville, Somme, France. Bailey’s South African Recruited and financed by Sir Abe Bailey, this small sharpshooter unit (a total of 24 Sharpshooters men served in it) fought on the Western front from 1916 to 1918 in a British division. South African Field Artillery Several batteries fought in German East Africa and Palestine. Cape Auxiliary Horse Eight companies of coloured drivers serving with the Army Service Corps in Transport Companies Northern France. South African Signal XV Corps Signal Company served in France and Flanders. Company (Royal Engineers) South African Railway Light railway work in forward areas. Companies Miscellaneous Trade Locomotive workshops of St Etienne-du-Rouvray, near Rouen. Companies
Fatal Casualties
It is estimated that 235 000 South Africans served in the war, in locally-raised units or by enrolling directly with overseas formations, on land, in the air and at sea. Of these, about 13 700 lost their lives.
Source: www.delvillewood.com
14 THE BATTLE OF DELVILLE WOOD
“The six days and five nights during which the South Africans held the most difficult position on the British front, a corner of death on which the enemy fire was concentrated at all hours from all sides … constitute an epoch of terror and glory scarcely equalled in the campaign.” John Buchan – The South African Forces in France.
LONGUEVAL HOUSES NEAR DELVILLE WOOD 1915
The village of Longueval is situated on a ridge at the junction of four roads and had, in 1914, 130 houses and 406 inhabitants. Adjacent to the village is Delville Wood, 156 acres with a dense undergrowth and seamed with grassy ridges.
Control of the wood was essential to ensure the capture of the village and the continuation of the offensive towards Flers.
As with many villages in the area, Longueval had been turned into a fortress equipped with reinforced cellars, underground tunnels, and machine-gun nests manned by German soldiers who had been told not to yield a metre of ground. On the 14th July 1916, the 2nd Battalion of the 16th (Bavarian) Infantry Regiment was entrenched at Longueval.
15 LONGUEVAL CHURCH 1915
The ridge was attacked at 03h35 by the 26th and 27th Brigades of the 9th (Scottish) Division. 14th July 1916 The South African Infantry Brigade was in reserve and it had initially been planned that it would take part in the “cleaning” of the village; patrols of the 8th Black Watch entered the wood. But the Germans held the northern part of the village, which was strongly fortified, especially in the wood. The fierce fighting in the village and around Waterlot Farm had caused heavy losses among the assailants. The 1st SAI was sent to the village to assist in clearing the southern part of Longueval and the three other South African regiments were ordered to penetrate the wood, but the advance was postponed to the following morning.
At 05h00 the first South African soldiers penetrated the wood under the command of 15th July 1916 Lieutenant Colonel Tanner. Progress was slow because of the tangle of trees destroyed by the first shellings. At noon, the whole wood, except its north-western part, which was too strongly defended, was in South African hands. The entrenchment began, but this was difficult because of the nature of the ground. Moreover, the Germans launched three counter-attacks, all of which were repulsed. The brilliant marksmanship of the South Africans was used to telling effect. The rate of German shelling often reached 400 shells per minute, of all calibres. Casualties were heavy and the only reserve of the Brigade consisted of three companies, despite the fact that the 1st SAI had reverted to Lukin’s command.
Before the attack, two companies of the 4th SAI were detached to the 5th Cameron Highlanders. They took part in the attack on the Waterlot Farm, which was not taken till the following day. They joined the South African Brigade in Delville Wood.
All through the furious fighting on the night of the 15th, the South Africans were digging trenches 16th July 1916 to save their lives. At 02h35, Lukin received orders from the Division that the portion held by the enemy had to be taken. Without artillery preparation, the attack by the Royal Scots from the village of Longueval and the 1st SAI from Princes Street was a failure and the attacking groups fell back. It was then that Private W.F. Faulds won his Victoria Cross. It was during this hot and dusty day that the first difficulties in bringing up food and water occurred. The evacuation of the wounded became perilous. Lieutenant Colonel Dawson, C.O. of the 1st Regiment, asked for
16 relief but fresh troops could not yet be spared. The Division ordered that the wood be held at all costs. Moreover, another attack on the north-west corner was ordered the next morning.
In spite of artillery preparation, this attack made shortly before dawn by the 1st and 2nd 17th July 1916 SAI did not succeed. The Germans were stubborn defenders. In the morning General Lukin visited the wood and was worried about the fatigue of his men. He had no troops who had not been in action for at least 48 hours. A fight in a wood was the most wearying kind of battle and most of the South Africans had to endure continuous machine-gun and artillery fire. On his return to his headquarters, Lukin discussed the situation on the telephone with General Furse, Commanding Officer of the 9th (Scottish) Division, but there was no hope of relief or reinforcements. Moreover, the instructions from the XIII Corps stood that the wood had to be held at any cost. Delville Wood became a death trap.
Lieutenant Colonel Tanner was wounded in the evening and Lieutenant Colonel Thackeray succeeded him in charge of the troops in the wood.
The Germans, after being resigned to the loss of Bazentin ridges to the west, then concentrated 18th July 1916 all their guns and troops on retaking Longueval and Delville Wood. The bombardment began at 08h00 and was to last for seven-and-a-half hours. An SOS signal was seen in the wood after 14h00. Whole sections of the perimeter trenches with their occupants had been annihilated and the survivors fell back on Thackeray’s HQ in Buchanan Street. At 14h30 150 men of 1st SAI advanced into the wood where they found many wounded officers and men lying in the trenches. The men were then detailed to take these wounded back to safety. The Germans forced their way to Princes Street, then moved around Buchanan Street to the southern edge of Delville Wood where they were stopped by concentrated artillery and machine-gun fire from Montauban and Longueval. That afternoon the Germans received fresh reinforcements and the South Africans found that they had to face the enemy from both front and rear. Three massed attacks were launched on Thackeray’s HQ that night but were repulsed with heavy losses to the defenders.
With their ammunition exhausted, the survivors of the 3rd SAI on the eastern and southern 19th July 1916 flanks of the wood were compelled to surrender. That afternoon the German regiments faced Thackeray in an S- shaped front around Princes and Buchanan Streets. Thackeray and his small party clung to the south-west corner of the wood against overwhelming odds. German bombers and snipers came forward to be followed by massed attacks on three sides. Two wounded officers of 3 SAI remained with Thackeray and the small band of brothers were shelled and sniped at throughout the day. By his personal example Thackeray kept their morale up. Though bone-weary and worn down by the continual fighting, they nevertheless rallied each time he called for it and threw back the attacking enemy.
The promised relief did not arrive during the night. During the fighting that day the Germans 20th July 1916 hurled themselves against Thackeray but could not overrun the South Africans. He himself threw Mills bombs and fought with a rifle on the parapet. His personal courage and example inspired his gaunt survivors to superhuman efforts. Their defence may have well saved the entire flank of the British front. At noon, General Haig, the British Commander-in-Chief, enquired about the position at Delville Wood. Orders were then issued for XIII Corps to seize Longueval and Delville Wood. The British fought valiantly to relieve the South Africans.
That afternoon Major Mitchell-Baker, the South African Brigade Major, made strong representations to the high command which resulted in the British 3rd Division relieving Thackeray at 18h00.
17 THE BATTLEFIELD
Out of the 121 officers and 3 032 other ranks that formed the Brigade on 14th July in the morning, only 29 officers and 751 other ranks were present at roll call when the unit was gathered some days after the battle. The heroic resistance of the South African Brigade, against the power of the German Army, had saved the southern part of the British line.
The wood remained the scene of bitter fighting until early September. The Germans eventually relinquished their grip on Delville Wood on 9th September after their forces surrendered in Ginchy.
Compiled by Major General Roy Andersen, based on information provided by the Ditsong National Museum of Military History and on www.delvillewood.com
18 THE MEMORIAL AT DELVILLE WOOD
DELVILLE WOOD MEMORIAL THEN DELVILLE WOOD MEMORIAL NOW
Public subscriptions were raised for the erection in Delville Wood of a National Memorial to the memory of all South Africans who fell during the Great War in all theatres of operation. Its design was entrusted to Sir Herbert Baker, one of the main architects of the Imperial War Graves Commission. It was in a landscape of young trees and thin undergrowth that the South African National Monument was unveiled on 10th October 1926 by Mrs Annie Botha, the widow of General Louis Botha, in the presence of General JMB Hertzog, Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, Field Marshall Haig, Marshall Foch and Mrs Lily Lukin the widow of General Lukin.
Sir Herbert Baker decided to use the southern part of the wood. His design incorporates the Delville Wood Cemetery, National Monument and the Cross of Consecration in the north-south perspective. The road from Longueval to Ginchy separates the military cemetery from the wood. A wide avenue flanked by two double rows of oak leads to the great arch of the Monument, which is at the highest point of the wood. The Monument faces south towards the white rows of headstones.
The arch is flanked on either side by a flint and a semi-circular wall. The flanking walls terminate in two covered buildings, designed in reminiscence of the Summer House built by Simon van der Stel on the slopes of Table
19 Mountain. Originally, these buildings contained the Rolls of Honour of the South African dead commemorated by the monument. These books are today in the Commemorative Museum.
The Memorial does not bear the names of the dead; those of the South African dead are recorded in the same cemeteries or the same memorials as those of the Corps and Regiments of the United Kingdom and on the newly erected wall between the Memorial and the Museum.
The Arch bears the dedicatory inscriptions in English and in Afrikaans.
“To the Immortal Dead of South Africa who at the call of Duty, made the Great Sacrifice on the battlefields of Africa, Asia and Europe, and on sea, this Memorial is dedicated in proud and graceful recognition of their countrymen.”
“Aan die onsterflike Suid Afrikaners wat op die Slagvelde van Afrika, Asia, en Europa en op See die Groot Offer op die Altaar van Plig gelê het is hierdie Gedenkteken deur hul landgenote in trotse en dankbare herinnering gewy.”
On angle panels, in large letters, are graven the names of the eight battle areas where South Africans fought.
In the centre, over the great arches, are these inscriptions:
“Their ideal is our legacy” “Vir ons is hul ideal ‘n erfenis” “Their sacrifice our inspiration” “Hul offer ‘n besieling”
Above these are the words AUX MORTS (“OUR DEAD”)
The dome is surmounted by a bronze sculpture by Alfred Turner, representing Caster and Pollux clasping hands in friendship over the horse’s back. The statue was intended to be a symbol of all the peoples of South Africa who are united in their determination to defend their common ideals. Sir Percy Fitzpatrick also ensured that replicas of the bronze group were erected at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and in the Company Gardens in Cape Town.
On 5th June 1952, a Stone of Remembrance was unveiled by Mrs Swales, mother of Major Edwin Swales of the South African Air Force, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in 1945. The altar stone is dedicated to the memory of all South Africans who fell during the Second World War.
Source: www.delvillewood.com More details of South Africa’s war memorials can be found on: www.rfdiv.mil.za
20 DELVILLE WOOD COMMEMORATIVE MUSEUM
DELVILLE WOOD COMMEMORATIVE MUSEUM DELVILLE WOOD COMMEMORATIVE MUSEUM AERIAL VIEW
For many years, parties of war veterans returning from pilgrimages to these battlefields complained about the lack of factual information. Senior officials of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission repeatedly urged the provision of tourist facilities to keep the South African National Memorial in line with other Memorials in the area. The decision was taken to build a Commemorative Museum.
The first stone was solemnly laid down on the 7th June 1984.
On the 11th November 1986, the South African Commemorative Museum was unveiled by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr PW Botha.
On the 18th July 2006, during the ceremony to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood, the new coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa was unveiled on the pediment of the Museum.
Built around the Cross of Consecration, the museum commemorates the sacrifice of 25,000 South African volunteers, men and women of all races and creeds, who laid down their lives in two world wars and in Korea.
21 Recently, the annual memorial service was preceded by the reburial, by Brig Gen (Rev) Jamangile, of the first black South African to die in France, in a “tomb” in the courtyard of the Museum. He was Private Myengwa Beleza who died on 27th November 1916 and was previously buried in Le Harve.
The exhibits in the Museum were updated in 2016 in time for the Centenary of the Battle of Delville Wood. A Commemorative Wall was also erected on the pathway between the Memorial and the Museum.
The current director is Mr Thapedi Masanabo.
Contact details are:
Postal address: Mémorial Sud-Africain de Delville Wood Route de Ginchy 80360 Longueval France
Tel No: (0033) 02 22 85 02 17
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.delvillewood.com
Source: www.delvillewood.com
22 DELVILLE WOOD CEMETERY
DELVILLE WOOD CEMETERY AERIAL VIEW
Delville Wood is a post-war cemetery made by the concentration of several cemeteries and isolated graves of the neighbourhood. That is why the unnamed graves represent nearly two-thirds of the whole.
The unnamed graves number 3 590. There are 26 special memorials erected to British soldiers and to one South African soldier, known or believed to be buried among them. Three other special memorials record the names of British soldiers, fallen in 1915 and buried in Courcelette by the Germans, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire.
There are 152 graves of South Africans in the cemetery.
The last inhumations in Delville Wood Cemetery date from 1984 when three unknown soldiers found during the building of the South African Museum were buried in Plot XIII, Row J.
The names of South Africans with no known graves are inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial.
Source: www.delvillewood.com
23 24 THE WOOD
DELVILLE WOOD MAP
Acquisition of the Wood
At the end of the War, there was a strong popular demand in countries of the Commonwealth for the commemoration of the fallen troops. During the twenty years following the War, the Commonwealth countries erected National Memorials on the sites where their troops distinguished themselves.
With this aim Colonel Helbert, South African military attaché in London, travelled to France and Belgium to select a site. Visiting the Somme devastated by the War, he was struck by the look of Delville Wood, the place of the first major engagement of the 1st South African Infantry Brigade in July 1916. The wood, thick and dense in the past, was now a desolated wasteland covered with shell holes, broken trees and remains of trenches.
25 In February 1918, one month before the German Spring Offensive during which it was to be almost destroyed, the South African Infantry Brigade took part in a Drumhead service in front of a tall wooden cross dedicated to the men of the Brigade fallen in the Wood in 1916.
Considering the high symbolism of the place, Colonel Helbert took a call option with the owner, on his own initiative. Later, with the motivation of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick and the support of the General Smuts, Delville Wood was eventually purchased in 1920 by the South African Government.
Covering an area of 63 hectares, Delville Wood retained more or less its pre-war outlines. Its western and north- western edges border the village of Longueval and its southern edge is lined by the Longueval-Ginchy road.
Flanked by two double rows of oaks, a wide avenue leads solemnly to the Memorial. These venerable oaks provide a colourful story. Approached in 1920, the South African Department of Forestry took on the immense replant work. A Mr Hockvelden, stationed at La Motte in Franschhoek, asked nine-year-old Koos Hugo, who lived on the farm La Cotte, to collect a bag full of acorns from the same tree that had germinated from one of the six acorns which French Huguenot Jean Gardiol had brought to South Africa in 1688. These symbolic acorns, when germinated, were sent across to France where they were used to line the main pathway in Delville Wood.
The Paths
THE RIDES – REGENT STREET IN SUMMER THE RIDES – ROTTEN ROW VIEW
Today, wide grass rides have replaced pre-war bridle paths. Marker stones, bearing the names which were given to the rides on the battle maps, were erected at their intersections. They bear the names of streets of London (Rotten Row, Regent Street, Bond Street), Glasgow (Buchanan Street, Campbell Street), Edinburgh (Regent Street, King Street) and Cape Town (Strand Street).
THE RIDES – PRINCES STREET
26 The Last Tree
THE LAST TREE
A hornbeam is the only surviving tree of the original wood. Situated near the Prince’s Street-Regent Street intersection, behind the Museum, it was preserved during the replanting work. Today, it is the only living witness of the battle: a silent and moving testimony. The surrounding fence was provided by the South African Air Force Association.
Cuttings from this tree have found their way to South Africa and been planted at a number of places, including General Smuts’ home at Doornkloof, Irene, and the Garden of Remembrance at Pietermaritzburg.
27 Davies-Hill Tree Memorial
THE DAVIES-HILL TREE MEMORIAL PLAQUE
THE DAVIES-HILL TREE
In 2002, a beech was planted along Princes Street, not far from the Last Tree, in remembrance of Corporal J.J. Davies and Private A. Hill, 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, each awarded the Victoria Cross during the fighting of the 20th July 1916.
The wood is a military cemetery, and several thousands of men lie here for eternity. The Cross of Consecration, now in the courtyard of the Museum, replaces the Common Cross of Sacrifice, present in all Commonwealth Military Cemeteries.
Source: www.delvillewood.com
28 THE DELVILLE WOOD CROSSES
After the battle, Delville Wood was reduced to a plethora of tree stumps and splintered wood. After the war, six crosses were made out of lumber from Delville Wood, reportedly brought back by General Lukin. These crosses were symbolically erected around the country in memory of the South Africans who died during the battle. There are two crosses in the Castle in Cape Town; two in Natal, in Durban and Pietermaritzburg; and two in Johannesburg, in the chapel at St John’s College and in the Transvaal Scottish Regimental Museum.
Castle of Good Hope Delville Wood Cross Inner
Of the two crosses in the Castle in Cape Town, this one is known as the “inner cross” and was originally erected at Delville Wood by the First South African Infantry Brigade in July 1916 before being bought back to South Africa.
It is sometimes referred to as the Headquarters Cross.
THE CROSS IN CAPE TOWN, INNER
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castle_of_Good_Hope_Delville_Wood_Cross_Inner.jpg
29 Castle of Good Hope Delville Wood Cross Outer
The second cross at the Castle is inscribed “This Cross is made from oak from Delville Wood”.
It symbolically represents the 1st South African Infantry Regiment (Cape of Good Hope Regiment) as its troops were primarily recruited from the Cape.
THE CROSS IN CAPE TOWN, OUTER
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castle_of_Good_Hope_Delville_Wood_Cross_Outer.jpg
The Cross in Durban
This cross is dedicated to the 2nd South African Infantry Battalion (Natal and Orange Free State Regiment).
It reads: “To the glory of God and in honoured memory of 61 officers and 197 other ranks of the 2nd South African Infantry Battalion (Natal and Orange Free State Regiment) who fell in Egypt, France and Flanders during the Great War 1914 – 1918”.
THE CROSS IN DURBAN
Source: https://grahamlesliemccallum.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/alexander-ernest-mccallum/
30 The Cross in Pietermaritzburg
This cross is also dedicated to the 2nd South African Infantry Regiment (Natal and Orange Free State Regiment)
This cross is known as the “Weeping Cross of Delville Wood”. This cross regularly “weeps” resin on or close to the date of the Battle of Delville Wood in July each year. Nobody knows why.
THE CROSS IN PIETERMARITZBURG
Source: http://kznpr.co.za/pmb-delville-wood-memorial/
The Cross in St John’s Chapel, Johannesburg
This cross is dedicated to the 3rd South African Infantry Regiment (Transvaal and Rhodesia Regiment).
Of interest is that the Padre for the South African Infantry Brigade, Padre Eustace St Clair Hill, who was present at the battles of Longueval, Delville Wood and Butte de Warlencourt, had been appointed to the staff at St John’s in 1905. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at the Battle of Butte de Warlencourt, where he also lost his right arm.
He returned to St. John’s College and became their headmaster from 1922-1930.
One Old Johannian, Captain Oswald Austin Reid, won the Victoria Cross during World War I.
THE CROSS IN JOHANNESBURG
Source: http://allatsea.co.za/blog/delville-wood-cross-at-st-johns-college-houghton/
31 The Cross in the Transvaal Scottish Regimental Museum
This cross is dedicated to the 4th South African Regiment (South African Scottish Regiment).
This cross differs from the other five crosses. It was made and erected by the pioneers of the South African Scottish Regiment during the war and was later brought back to Johannesburg. The cross is pockmarked from the 1918 battles.
THE CROSS IN THE TRANSVAAL SCOTTISH REGIMENTAL MUSEUM
Source: http://www.jocks.co.za/museum.htm
Of interest is one additional cross that was in Paterson Park in Johannesburg in memory of the 3rd South African Infantry Regiment for their sacrifices during the Battle of the Butte De arlencourt.W
The Butte De Warlencourt Cross, Johannesburg
This cross was erected in 1917 at the Butte De Warlencourt in France and after the war was presented by the Surviving Officers, NCO’s and Men of the 3rd South African Infantry Regiment (Transvaal and Rhodesia Regiment).
The cross is inscribed: “In Memory of The Officers, NCO’s and Men of the 3rd SA Infantry Transvaal Regiment who fell during the battle of the Somme in October 1916”.
THE BUTTE DE WARLENCOURT CROSS, JOHANNESBURG
Source: http://allatsea.co.za/blog/the-soe-war-memorial-at-patterson-park/
32 33 SCENES FROM THE WESTERN FRONT
ARTILLERY DEVASTATION
MACHINE GUNNERS RESTING
URBAN DEVASTATION
MEMBERS OF 4th SA INFANTRY REGIMENT LANDING AT MARSEILLES Source: Ditsong National Museum of Military History
34 GOING OVER THE TOP
AN EARLY AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DEVASTATION
STRETCHER BEARERS BRINGING IN THEIR COMRADES
MUCH NEEDED BREW!
35 ARQUES-LA-BATAILLE CEMETERY
The South African Native Labour Corps came to France early in 1917 and No 1 General Labour Hospital was established at its camp at Arques-la-Bataille near Dieppe. Most of those who died in France lie in Arques-la-Bataille Cemetery designed by J.R. Truelove. Here there were 381 First World War burials. These included 260 graves of men of the Contingent, including some of who were exhumed from Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre.
All these graves are grouped around a Great War Stone, on the face of which is a concave bronze plaque with the head of a Springbok in high relief. Inscribed on the stone in English, Sesotho and Xhosa are the words:
“To the memory of those Natives of the South African Labour Corps who crossed the seas in response to the call of their great Chief, King George V, and laid down their lives in France, for the British Empire, during the Great War 1914-1918, this Memorial is erected by their comrades.”
Each year, a memorial service equivalent to the one in Delville Wood is held at Arques-la-Bataille, with the full support of the people of the Dieppe.
Source: www.delvillewood.com
36 THE SINKING OF THE SS MENDI
The SS Mendi disaster was one of South Africa’s worst tragedies of the Great War.
The Journey
On the 16th January 1917, the SS Mendi troopship sailed from Cape Town en route to Europe carrying a contingent of the SANLC, comprising 802 black soldiers, five white officers and 17 NCOs as well as 89 crew members and 56 other military passengers. They sailed at noon and formed up in convoy with four ships carrying South African and Australian troops, and a consignment of gold. The cruiser HMS Cornwall escorted them. The experienced Captain Henry Arthur Yardley commanded the SS Mendi.
THE SS MENDI
The steamer SS Mendi, 4230 tons, was in the Liverpool-West Africa service until chartered by the British Government and was named after the Mendi tribe in Sierra Leone. On her previous journey she transported Nigerian troops from Lagos to Mombasa for service in German East Africa.
The convoy proceeded at a leisurely pace and the men fell into the routine of life on a troopship. The long, slow voyage was notably calm and marked by few incidents, the most striking being the death of one of the assistant stewards who was buried at sea. The SS Mendi called at Lagos in Nigeria and Freetown in Sierra Leone where coal
37 and stores were loaded. From Sierra Leone the convoy steamed on unescorted, although the last part of the journey was the most dangerous because of the U-boat threat. At this time, the German submarines had orders to attack without warning, which made the British waters especially dangerous.
The weather became cold, the sea rougher and the sky grey. The black soldiers endured this with cheerful fortitude. The SS Mendi arrived safely at Plymouth, 34 days since departure from Cape Town. Here, the military passengers disembarked.
The Sinking
In the afternoon of 20th February 1917, the SS Mendi sailed from Plymouth and steamed to Le Havre in France, escorted by the destroyer HMS Brisk. The weather was overcast, with threatening mist, light winds and a smooth sea. At nightfall, the weather became foggy and the ship’s siren was sounded at one-minute intervals, as required by regulations. Thereafter the fog became thicker and the speed was reduced.
The SS Darro, 11 484 tons, was a much larger vessel than the SS Mendi and was commanded by Captain H.W. Stump. In the late afternoon of 20th February, she sailed from Le Havre and steamed at full speed to Falmouth with a cargo of frozen meat. In the foggy night its lights were shown and the lookouts were reinforced, but the siren was never sounded and the speed not reduced.
On 21st February 1917 at 4.57 am, the lookouts of the SS Mendi heard a vessel approaching and sounded the siren. As the SS Darro was travelling at full speed and making no sound signals, the second officer and lookouts heard the SS Mendi’s siren and saw a green light. Orders were at once given to put the engines full speed astern and the SS Darro’s siren sounded. It was too late. They were about eleven miles south south-west of St Catherine’s point on the Isle of Wight.
The SS Darro’s bow crashed into the starboard side of the smaller ship almost at right angles with tremendous force and cut into her from keel to deck to a depth of about 20 feet. Men standing on the SS Mendi were hurled to the deck by the force of the impact and the men who were sleeping were abruptly woken up. The SS Darro struck near the watertight bulkhead between N°1 and N°2 holds and opened both of them to the sea. On the SS Darro, the engines which had been going full steam astern were stopped and the two ships drifted apart, leaving a huge hole in the side of the SS Mendi through which the sea poured. The force of the collision knocked down Captain Yardley. He got up quickly, went to the fore part of the bridge and ordered the engines to be stopped. He sent a man to tell the carpenter to sound the depth of the water in the breached holds of the ship and gave the order to lower the boats to the rail. No SOS was sent out because the wireless operator could not be found.
Men shaken by the shock and sound of the collision began to struggle out of their blankets, picked up their lifebelts and made their way in the dark through the rising freezing water to the exits. But at least one of these exits may have been damaged by the bow of the SS Darro, so that some of the men were trapped. A large number (one estimate was 140) never made their way to the deck and drowned in the blackness of the hold as the water rose quickly. For most of those who THE SS MENDI MEMORIAL IN ATTERIDGEVILLE survived, perhaps 750 men, there was now a struggle
38 in the darkness to lower the lifeboats that could take a total of 298 men. As the SS Mendi sank lower in the water, she listed heavily to starboard and it became difficult to lower the portside boats.
The troops were quiet and orderly at their stations, as they had learned in the exercises at sea during the voyage. Officers and crewmen lowered the lifeboats on the starboard side. N°1 and N°3 boats were lowered safely and were quickly filled with men. The N°2 boat while being lowered capsized with the men aboard owing to a sailor’s blunder. N°5 boat was lowered safely to the water with two crewmen and four soldiers, but a lot of men then jumped into it on one side and capsized it. Everyone was thrown into the water and it was not possible to right it again. The N°6 boat smashed against the ship’s side. What happened to N°7 boat was never determined.
The work proceeded to get out the 46 rafts, each capable of supporting 20 people, and the troops worked methodically under the direction of their officers. At the same time, other soldiers came up from the hatch of N°1 hold.
Somewhere about this time must have occurred the best known legend in the story of the Mendi. It is not confirmed by any survivor or official account, but oral tradition has preserved it and the press kept it alive. The Reverend Wauchope Dyobha cried out to the men:
Be quiet and calm, my countrymen, for what is taking place is exactly what you came to do. You are going to die… but that is what you came to do… Brothers, we are drilling the death drill. I, a Xhosa, say you are my brothers, Swazis, Pondos, Basutos, we die like brothers. We are the sons of Africa. Raise your war cries, brothers, for though they made us leave our assegais in the kraal, our voices are left with our bodies.
And they took off their boots and stamped the death dance on the deck of the sinking ship.
Captain Yardley, realising that the ship would not last much longer, ordered that everyone leave the ship and get away from it before it sank. Many men threw themselves into the sea, singing, praying and crying. There was a big explosion which shook the ship, putting out the lights and causing panic and confusion. However, a lot of soldiers remained aboard as they were too afraid to jump into the icy waters. Most of them had no experience of the sea, many probably not even having seen it before they embarked on the Mendi, and very few could swim. In spite of the call from their NCOs and comrades in the waters to jump, most were still aboard of the dying ship when it sank.
During this agony of 25 minutes, no help came from the SS Darro, even though not so far away, and HMS Brisk had lost visual contact with the Mendi in the fog. About 120 men were now in the two boats, and some hundreds more were in the freezing water clinging to rafts or wreckage, or supported only by their lifebelts.
At 05h00 the Darro sent an SOS message to which the HMS Brisk replied. The crew inspected the vessel, lowered the boat to the rail and prepared to do a potential evacuation. But the damages to the Darro were moderately minor. No attempt was made to hail the other vessel or to lower a boat in the water to assist.
Not far away, in the icy waters, the tragedy carried on. Many frozen men hung to the rafts and several reached to go up on the keel of the N°5 boat. Men without lifebelts drowned and others died freezing or from exhaustion. The water temperature in the Channel at this time of year is only about 7 degrees.
Captain Yardley floated for about an hour and a half and recalled: “I had a lifebelt on. There were hundreds of boys around me after the wreck. They died from exposure. They all had lifebelts on… It was a very cold, dark, damp, miserable night….”
About 400 men drowned or died of exposure in the water or on the rafts.
The N°1 boat was the first to reach the Darro, about 50 minutes after the collision. The shipwrecked troops were so exhausted that they were helped by the crew to go up the gangway. The N°3 boat came alongside the Darro about ten minutes later. Some members of the crew heard the shouting of men on rafts. However, Captain Stump took no measure
39 to rescue the men. At the same time, the boats of the HMS Brisk, who came rapidly on the site after the wreck, carried on searching but with great difficulty in the darkness and the fog. The SS Sandsend picked up 23 survivors. The Darro remained in the vicinity until 06h45 and then proceeded through the fog at reduced speed sounding her whistle. The HMS Brisk called her boats with her exhausted crews at 09h45 and cruised looking in vain for survivors.
The tally of survivors was 267, 107 on the Darro, 137 on the Brisk (of whom Captain Yardley was one) and the 23 men picked up by the Sandsend.
The final toll of this tragedy is terrible. Thirty-three members of the crew, two white officers, seven white NCOs and 618 black soldiers were lost. Among them were prominent figures: ondolandP chiefs Henry Bokleni, Dokoda Richard Ndamase, Mxonywa Bangani, and the Reverend Wauchope Dyobha.
When the news of the tragedy was announced by Parliament on the 9th March 1917, all the members of the South African House of Assembly, led by Prime Minister Louis Botha, rose in their seats as a token of respect.
The captain of the Darro, HW Stump, was later disciplined, but the sanction must appear minor compared to the tragedy, a ship command suspension of 12 months.
THE MENDI TODAY
The event is remembered by a number of memorials in South Africa, Britain and France. The Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton bears the names of the men of the Mendi who have no known graves. Thirteen men rest in cemeteries in England, one in France and five are commemorated by special memorials in Holland.
In South Africa, the Mendi Memorial in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, was erected in memory of the disaster and the Gamothaga Resort in Atteridgeville commemorates those who know no grave but the sea. Recently, another memorial to the Mendi was unveiled in Cape Town. Located on an embankment on the Mowbray campus of the University of Cape Town, the site has significance to the Mendi, as it is here that troops of the South African Native Labour Corps had billeted before embarking on the ill-fated voyage to France. A further memorial can be found in the Avalon cemetery in Soweto. It was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 23 March 1995.
The Mendi is also commemorated at the Delville Wood Commemorative Museum.
The bridge telegraph from the Mendi can be seen at the Maritime Museum, Bembridge, on the Isle of Wight.
A painting, The Loss of the Mendi, by Hilary Graham, is housed at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Museum of Art in Port Elizabeth. Curiously, the artist depicted the tragedy in heavy seas, while the sea in fact was almost like glass.
The Mendi has also given its name to South Africa’s highest award for courage, the Order of the Mendi Decoration for Bravery, bestowed by the President on South African citizens who have performed extraordinary acts of bravery.
The SS Mendi is also honoured by the modern South African Navy, which has among its fleet the SAS Isaac Dyobha, a Warrior-class fast attack craft and the SAS Mendi, a Valour-class frigate.
On the 23rd August 2004 a wreath-laying ceremony was held when the SAS Mendi and the Royal Navy’s HMS Nottingham met at the site where the SS Mendi sank.
In 2006, The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the History Channel released a 20-minute film, Let Us Die Like Brothers, exploring the Mendi disaster and Black South Africans’ involvement in the Great War in Europe.
On 21st July 2007, a great ceremony took place at the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, followed by a wreath- laying ceremony at the site of the tragedy.
Compiled by Major General Roy Andersen, based on information provided by the Ditsong National Museum of Military History and www.delvillewood.com.
40 THE BATTLE OF SQUARE HILL
During the First World War, two battalions of the Cape Corps (consisting of Coloured men) were mobilised to counter the German force in German East Africa, today known as Tanzania. Their contribution to the ultimate success of this campaign was immeasurable. At the conclusion of the East African campaign, the Cape Corps was moved to North Africa with the rest of the South African forces. With Turkey deciding to side with Germany, a need arose to send allied troops to what was known as Palestine, where Turkey was to dominate this strategically important area.
On arrival at Dhib Hill and Square Hill, the battalion was to be responsible for protecting the right flank of the Brigade against counter-attack.
CAPE CORPS, WORLD WAR I
Immediately following the capture of Wye Hill by the 1/17th Indian Infantry, the Cape Corps went on, B Company leading, towards Hill 2260 and Chevron Hill. The Cape Corps attacked and seized their objectives, the action going on from 18h45 on 18th September 1918 with the capture of Square Hill at about 04h00 on 19 September, and the signal was given at 04h30 by a tremendous thunder of guns right along the front to the sea.
The Cape Corps acquitted themselves admirably, showing that the men were more than a match for their Turkish adversaries. The battalion played a prominent part in the subsequent attack but had to go forward to take Kh Jebeit,
41 SQUARE HILL MEMORIAL PLAQUE
a hill some 700m north of Square Hill, without artillery support, while the Turks had been heavily reinforced. The fighting was fierce. The Cape Corps suffered numerous casualties: A and B Companies had one officer between them, and two other companies had no officers at all. The subsequent retirement was conducted mainly by NCOs. The retirement was praised by senior officers watching the withdrawal.
By 22h00 the whole battalion was reduced to 10 officers and 350 other ranks, concentrated at Square Hill. Cape Corps casualties were 51 killed, 101 wounded and one captured. In the history of the unit, while 19th September is celebrated as the glorious battle of Square Hill, it is 20th September that is remembered as the day on which the men of the Cape Corps made their sacrifice in the great war of 1914-1918. Kh Jebeit was eventually taken by the 1/17th Indian Infantry.
The Cape Corps returned to Cape Town with 16 Distinguished Conduct Medals, eight Military Medals, two Order of the Crown of Italy(bronze), two Decorations Militaire (Belgium) and one Medaille Militaire (France). The contribution of soldiers of colour was enormous and the price they paid was equally high. Of the 12,452 South African servicemen who died in the First World War, 3,901 were either Black, Indian or Coloured.
42 ROLL OF HONOUR DELVILLE WOOD
Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private John Hedley ADAMS Private Vernon Liddell ADAMS Driver Llewellyn Leonard ADENDORFF
Private James Douglas AFFLICK Private R.Y. AIR Private R. ALFRED
Private Harold Crosbie ALGER Private James Gibb ALLAN Private Francis ALLEN
Lance Corporal Percival (Percy) Joseph ALLEN Sergeant W.S. ALLEN Private Frank ALLSOP
Private James ALSOP Private Bernard Frederick ANDERSON Private Robert ANDERSON
Private Victor ANDERSON Private William Norman ANDERSON Corporal Robert APPLETON
Corporal Alfred Ernest Benjamin ARMSTRONG Private Anthony Roland ARNOLD Private Neville ARONSON
Private William Ernest BAILEY Private James Caesar BAIRD Private Sydney Norman BAISLEY
Lance Corporal C. BAKER Lance Corporal Hyman Raphael BAKER Lance Corporal Hyman Raphael BAKER
Private Herbert Alfred BAMBURY Private Walter Arthur Henry BANSEMER Corporal Alfred BARKER
Private Ernest BARKER Private J. BARRETT Private Gilbert BARTLETT
Private H.W. BARTLEY Second Lieutenant Alfred Richard BARTON Corporal W. BATES
Private Orlando Leonard BEAN Private Ami Wallis BECK Private Joseph BEETAR
Private Eric Wilhelm BEETON Lieutenant Charles Stewart BELL Lance Corporal Fitzwilliam Charles BELL
Private Richard Harold BELL Private John BELLEW Corporal William BELSHAW
Private Guy BENINGFIELD Lance Corporal Walter Arthur BENNETT Private George John BENTLEY
Private Gilbert Edward BENTLEY Private G. BERLIN Private William James BERRY
Private Johannes Petrus Lodwyk BESTER Private A.G. BEVERLEY Private William R.S. BICHENO
Corporal George Sydney BIGGS Private Aubrey William BINDON Lance Corporal William Garcia BIRCH
Private Thomas Cecil BIRD Corporal Robert James BLACK Private Neil BLAIR
43 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Sergeant John Rider BLEASBY Lance Corporal Clavell Monkhouse BLOUNT Private David BOTHA
Private Frank BOTHA Private Stephen Andrew BOTHMA Lance Corporal Edwin Samuel BOWLEY
Private R BOYD Private Thomas BOYLE Private Algene Ward BRADFIELD
Private Louis Gowthorpe BRAITHWAITE Private Laurence Wallace BREAKEY Corporal Charles Revel BREDELL
Lance Corporal Walter BRIDSON Lieutenant Charles Edward BRITTEN Lance Corporal Ernest Frederick BROCKWELL
Private Ernest John BRODIE Private Charles Harley BROOKS Private Aaron William John BROOKSTEIN
Lieutenant Arthur Hugh BROWN Second Lieutenant Arthur Ernest BROWN Private Cecil Pierce BROWN
Private Henry BROWN Private John Silcock BROWN Private Percival Austen BROWN
Lieutenant William Nimms BROWN Second Lieutenant Thorkell Nathan BRU-DE-WOLD Private George Benjamin BRYAN
Company Sergeant Major James Wilfred BRYANT Private Joseph William BRYANT Private Joshua Isaac BUCKINGHAM
Private Cedric Athol BUCKLE Private George William BUNN Major Edward Travers BURGES
Private John BURLEIGH Private Douglas Ashley BURMAN Private John BURNSIDE
Lance Sergeant Claude Fitzgerald BURTON Private Roy Cuthbert BURTON Private Vivian Roland BURTON
Private Frederick Claud BUTCHER Private Sam BUTLER Private John McGilvray CAIRNS
Private George CALLAGHAN Regimental Sergeant Major John CAMERON Private Herbert CAMPBELL
Private Howard Godfrey CAPEL Private Wilfred Franklin CAPPER Lance Corporal Arthur Dowley CARLISLE
Private William Eric CARLSSON or CARLSON Lance Corporal Chalmers CARMICHAEL Private William Chapman CARNEGIE
Private Percy Wilfield CARPENTER Private James CARSON Private A.G. CARTER
Private Richard Charles CARTER Private Harold Birks CASTLE Lance Corporal William CHANEY
Private G.W. CHEEK Corporal Harry Reginald CHEESEMAN Private Thomas Arthur CHICHESTER
Private Alexander CHISHOLM (Chummie) Private Kenneth CHRISTIE Private Bertie CLACK
Private William CLARK Private William Henry CLARENCE Private Timothy James CLEARY
Lance Corporal C.W. CLEGG Corporal Alfred John CLEWS Private William Edward CLEWS
Captain Herbert Edward CLIFFORD Private Cyril Claude Victor CLIFT Private Prior Hudson CLIFT
Private N.P. CLIFTON Private William Stephen CLIFTON Private Joseph CLINE
Private E.A. COAD Private Albert Edward COHEN Private Norman COLLING
Private Albert Charles COLLINS Private Harold David COLLY Private Ernest Horatio COLQUITT
Private James Alexander COLVIN Private Pierce Ryan COMBRINCK Private A.E.J. COMERFORD
Second Lieutenant Joseph George CONNOCK Private Thomas Perry CONWAY Lance Corporal Alfred George COOK
Private Christian Frederick COOK Private George COOK Captain Chaplain George Thornhill COOK
Private J.W.C. COOK Lance Corporal Augustus Victor COOMBE Corporal Edwin George COOMBE
Corporal Charles Baldwin COOPER Private William Edward COOPER Private John James CORLETT
Private Alfred Edward COUZENS Lance Corporal P.A. COWAN Private Augustus COWIE
Sergeant Hugh Leonard COXFORD Private A. CRAIG Captain Harold Evely Frederick CREED
44 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Lionel CROSSLEY Private Joseph CULLEN Private James CUSACK
Private Abel Edward CUTLER Private Collins DALE Corporal Thomas Archibald Hugh DALL
Private Angelo Joseph DANIA Sergeant George Henry DAVEY Private Mark Lawrence DAVEY
Private William George DAVIDS Lance Corporal Llewellyn George DAVIDSON Private Scott Chisholme DAVIDSON
Private Charles DAVIS Private Frank DAVIS Private Harry DAVIS
Private Percy Frederick DAVIS Private Rodney William DAVIS Private Thomas DAVIS
Private Thomas Oliver DAVIS Lance Corporal John Vernon DAVISON Sergeant James DEATCHER
Private Henry Mallinson DEELEY Private George DEMIN Private Percy Edward DENNANT
Corporal F. DENT Private Peter Clifford Gilbert DE REUCK Lance Corporal John DE VOS
Private Frederick Richard DEWING Second Lieutenant Charles Henry DICK Lance Corporal Stephen Herd DICK
Private James L. DIGNAM Private John DILLON Private Joseph Benjamin DILLON
Private Henry DINAN Private H.O. DINGLEY Private Thomas DINGWALL
Lance Corporal Percy King DIXON Lance Corporal Herbert DODD Private William DODDS
Private Henry George William DONDOVICH Private Robert Conn DONNELL Private William Richard DOR
Private Robert DOUGLAS Private T.A. DOWNEY Private Douglas Dennis DOYLE
Private John Kelly DOYLE Corporal Neville DOYLE Private Leslie Llewellyn DREYER
Private James DRUMMOND Private Leslie Howard DRURY Private Samuel DUCKHAM
Private Joseph Albert DUNN Private Michael John DUNNEEN Private John Philip DU PLESSIS
Private L. DUSTING Private Walter Hastie DUTTON Private Frederick Lewis Archibald EATON
Sapper Joseph James EDDY Private Vernon Jeffery EDKINS Private Ardale Valentine Ernest EDWARDS
Private George Gray EDWARDS Private Harold EDWARDS Private Harold EDWARDS
Private William Thomas EDWARDS Private Frederick EHKE Lieutenant Harold George ELLIOT
Private Edward Francis ELLIOTT Private Henry ELLIOTT Private Richard Henry ELLIS
Private T. ELMS Lance Corporal Douglas ESTILL Corporal Wilfred George ETHERIDGE
Private Theophilus Jones EVANS Private Charles EVISON Private Charles EWAN
Private John Jackson EWBANK Private Frederick E. EYDEN Private Ernest FAURE
Lance Corporal Frederick Walter FEAST Signaller George Henderson FENNELL Private William Edward FENTON
Private Daniel FERGUSON Private William FERGUSON Private Bernadus Lambertes FERREIRA
Lance Sergeant Christopher James FINDLAY Lance Corporal Charles Carlisle FICHAT Private Arthur FILBY
Private Alfred Charles FISHER Private Robert FIVAZ Private Wilfrid Henry FLACK
Lieutenant Wilfred Hopley FLEMMER Private Archibald McAllister FLETCHER Private Thomas Nuttall FLITCROFT
Private Frank FOADEN Private Aubrey James FOCKENS Private J. FORD
Private Aubrey James FOCKENS Private J. FORD Private Samuel Annett FOSTER
Private Johan Jakob FOURIE Corporal Thomas Henry FOXCROFT Private Joseph Thomas James FRANCKLOW
45 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Norman Edward FRANKISH Private Clement James FRASER Private Donald FRASER
Private John FRASER Private Patrick Thomas FREEMAN Sergeant John FRENCH
Private Michael Daniel FRIEDENTHAL Private N.P. FRONEMAN Second Lieutenant John Samuel FRY
Private Stanley Morris FULLER Private C.A. FURMIDGE Private James Sneddon FYFE
Private Dudley Beresford Hoole FYNN Lance Corporal Norman McNab GAISFORD Corporal Horace William GARTON
Private Frederick Maurice GATELY Private C.B. GATT Major Harry Herbert Allan GEE
Private Arthur D. GEOGHEGAN Private Arthur D. GEOGHEGAN Private Cyril Phillip GERAGHTY
Private Kenneth S. GIBBON Private Ralph Collie Smith GILLON Private John GLASSON
Lance Corporal Francis GLAZEBROOK Private Ronald Cecil GLEAVES Private Samuel GLUCKMAN
Private Edward Bertram GOING Private W.H. GOODACRE Private John Harry GOODING
Sergeant Hugh Francis GORDON Sergeant William GORDON Private William Henry GORDON
Private Bertie Vincent GOUGH Second Lieutenant Hugh Wilfred GOVE Private Thomas Porteous GOW
Private William Greig GRAHAM Private Ernest Utley GRANGER Private John GRANT
Private John James GRAVELL Private John James GRAVELL Private Francis Hatfield GRAY
Private Robert C. GRAY Captain William Johnston GRAY, LSM Private Harry Arthur GREEN
Lance Corporal Edward William Henry GREENWAY Private George Frederick GREENWOOD Private Edward Wormald GREGORY
Private Theophilus Herman GRIFFIN Private William GRIGG Private W.A. GROENEWALD
Private Frank GURNEY Private John Gilbert GUTHRIE Private L.V. HAAK
Second Lieutenant Allan Christie HAARHOFF Second Lieutenant Allan Christie HAARHOFF Private Alfred HAGELL
Lance Corporal George Peters HAGGIS Captain Ernst Albert Linsingen HAHN Private Peter HAIG
Private John Fraser HAIR Lance Corporal Eden Lashley HALL Private Joseph Welsey HAMILTON
Private G.V. HAMMOND Lance Corporal Harold John HAMMOND Second Lieutenant Alfred Charles HANKS
Sapper T. HARDEN Private V. HARE Private Charles Alred HARGRAVES
Private Reginald Charles HARPER Private Ashley Ronald HARRIS Private Charles Augustus HARRIS
Sapper Joseph HARRIS Lance Corporal Ralph Eric HARRIS Private Richard Frank HARRIS
Private Guy Alexander HARRISON Private William HARRISON Private John HARWOOD
Private Lewis William HAWES Sergeant William HAWKINS Private Leslie HAWTHORNE
Private Joseph HEARNE Private Cecil Edward HEATHCOTE Private V. HEEGER
Private A. HENDRICKS Private William Miles HENRICK Private Frederick William HERBERT
Sergeant Francis Danby HESTER Private Wilfrid HETHERINGTON Private William Henry Routledge HEWETT
Private Edward James HEWITT Private William Beaconsfield HICKMAN Lieutenant Walter James HILL
Sergeant Edward Joseph HINTON Private George Bertram Lake HIRTZEL Corporal Mervyn Evans HOCKEY
Private J.S. HODGE Private William Lloyd HOLLINGBERRY, MM Second Lieutenant John Manson HOLLINGWORTH
46 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private William Rule HOLLISTER Private Alexander HOOD Private Jack Sedgwick HOOK
Private Frederick George HOOKHAM Private Andre Bernard HOOLAHAN Private James HOPE
Private Eric Wilson HOPPER Captain Wallace Frank HOPTROFF Lance Corporal Harold HORN
Private Henry James HORNE Private Walter Basil HORSLEY Private Charles Sutton HOWELL
Lance Sergeant Joseph Leigh HOWELL Private Arthur Leopold HUBER Private E. HUDSON
Lance Corporal Henry Clifford HULLEY Sergeant Patrick Robertson HUME Corporal John David Noble HUMPHREYS
Private George HUNTER Corporal Thomas HUNTER Sergeant Edwin HUNTLEY
Private James HUSBAND Sergeant William James Miller HUSBAND, MSM Private Aubrey Neville HUTCHINSON
Private John Wilmot HUTTON Private Lawrence Godfrey IMMELMAN Private Clarence Percy IMPEY
Private William IMPEY Private Frank Horace INDGE Private Alexander Duncan INNES
Private Bertram Joseph INTRONA Private John IRELAND Private Robert McLean IRVINE
Private Leslie William ISEMONGER Private William Adrian ISOM Lance Corporal G.R. ISRAEL
Private Herbert JACKSON Private Mathew Herbert JACKSON Private Thomas Edward JACKSON
Lance Corporal Arthur Nathaniel JACOBS Private Frederick Wall JACOBSEN Private Even JAMES
Lance Sergeant James Thomas JAMES Corporal John Edgcumbe JAMES Lance Corporal Philip Arthur JAMES
Private Frank Trenbath JANION Private Frederick Joseph JANSEN Private William Thomas JARRETT
Private Albertus Fredrick JEAREY Private A.R. JEFFERIES Private Cyril Roland Alfred JENKINS
Corporal Clement JENKINSON Private Willie JENNINGS Private Erick JOHNS
Private Arthur JOHNSON Private Frederick John JOHNSON Private Henry JOHNSON
Private John Edward JOHNSON Sergeant William JOHNSON Private H.J. JOHNSTON
Lance Corporal Albert Bert JONES Lieutenant Colonel Frank Aubrey JONES, CMG, DSO Private Robert Evans JONES
Private Vivian Albert JONES Captain Percy John JOWETT Private John KABER
Private Henry Joseph Page KALIS Private Charles Duncan KALLIS Drummer F. KANE
Private Arthur Rosseau KANNEMEYER Private Ernest William KEATING Private Benjamin Lombard KEET
Private Reuben Francis McCoy KEMP Sergeant P.J. KENNEDY Private Edward George KENSIT
Private George William KENSLEY Private George Henry KEOGH Private Herbert John KERSWILL
Private Walter Oswald KEW Private Albert Edward KEYS Private Hugh KEYS
Private Colin Gerald KIDSON Lance Corporal Eric Montague KIDSON Private Douglas Ivan KING
Private George Alfred KING Private James Aloysius KINLAY Private Archibald Stanley KIRBY
Lance Corporal Harold Gordon KIRBY Private William John KIRKHAM Private Alfred John KIRKMAN
Private Wessel George KLEINHANS Private Francis Howard KNIGHT Lance Corporal George Charles KNOX
Private Joseph KRIGE Private Leonard KURZ Private Arnold Gerard John KUYS
Sergeant Louis Charles LAERMAN Private Arthur Ernest LAHEE Private Charles LAKE
Private William Vernon LAMBIE Private Fred Henry William LANG Private Thomas Huxley LANGSTON
47 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Ben Hudson LANSDOWN Private William George LARGE Private Ernest Edward LARSON
Private Jacobus Johannes LAUBSCHER Private Oliver Clarence LAVENDER Signaller George Alan LEAK
Sergeant Victor Edward LEDBURY Private George Hosking LEDDRA Private Robert William LEES
Second Lieutenant Charles Thomas Kenneth Private Albert LETLEY Private Abe LEWIS LETCHFORD
Sergeant Curwen Margam LEWIS Private Edwin Dennis LEWIS Private Reginald Chadwick LLOYD
Private William Ivor LLOYD Private Ronald LOCK Lance Corporal William LOGAN
Private Dirk Jacobus LOMBARD Corporal William S. LORIMER Private Menyn Coote LOVEROCK
Lance Corporal William Alexander LUNDIE Private Joseph LUPTON Sergeant Robert LUPTON
Private John Herman MAADE Private Peter John MACDONALD Lance Corporal Ronald MACDONALD
Private James MACGREGOR Private Thomas James MACKIE Private John Charles Grant MACKINTOSH
Private Arthur George MACLACHAN Captain Donald Ronald MACLAGHAN Private Alexander MACNAUGHTON
Private Charles MADDEN Private Hugh MAGEE Private Alan Vyvyan MAGER
Private J.J. MAHERRY Corporal Adam Neil MALCOLM Private James Henry MALIN
Private Arthur Charles Maynard MALLET Corporal Frederick Gordon MALLETT CQMS John Horace St Clair MALLEY
Private Leslie Morley MANDY Private H.R. MANN Lance Corporal Herbert MARKS
Private Arthur George MARLES Private Herbert Charles MARSH Private A.T. MARSHALL
Private Robert MARSHALL Lance Corporal A. MARTIN Signaller Frank MARTIN
Private Ivor Llewellyn MARTIN Private William MARTIN Private Charles Frederick MASON
Private S. MASON Private Ernest Sherwood MATHER Private William MATHER
Sergeant John Robert MATHESON Private Murdock MATHESON Corporal Walter John MATTHEWS
Private George MAY Signaller Jas Andrew MAYNES Private John William MAYS
Private Edward MCAULEY Private Walter McBROOM Private Arthur Basil McCABE
Private Cyril Fidelis MCCALLUM Private Charles Henry MCCARTHY Company Sergeant Major David James McCLELLAND
Private D.P. MCCLURE Sergeant Robert McCLURE Private Henry Harebottle MacCUAIG
Lance Corporal James MCCULLOCH Private Ivan Merle MCCUSKER Private Allen James MCDONALD
Private Donald Watson MCDONALD Private Duncan Munro MCDONALD Private Murdoch MCDONALD
Private Robert MCDONALD Sergeant William Simpson MCDONALD, M.M Private James Corbitt MCGREGOR
Private William MCGREGOR Private Frank McHENRY Sergeant John MCINTOSH
Private Archibald McSporran Blue MCKAY Private Ernest Donald MCKAY Private William Arthur MCKENZIE
Private Thomas MCKINLAY Private James Baxter MCKINNON Corporal J.H. McKNIGHT
Private A. MCLACHLAN Private Keith Athol MCLACHLAN Lance Corporal Alexander Coomber MCLEAN
Private Douglas Rorke MCLEAN Private Edward Hamilton MCLEAN Private James McLEAN
48 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private John Gammersep MCLEAN Private Fergus David MCLEROTH Sergeant Henry Duncan MCNAB
Lance Corporal William Astbury MCNEIL Private Charles MCPHEE Driver James MCPHERSON
Private Vernon Robert Edwin MCWILLIAMS Private Bertram Westley MEDLIN Private George Walter MERRINGTON
Private James Gradon MIDDLEMISS Private Lionel MILES Captain George John MILLER
Private Joseph MILLER Private Robert Frederick MILLER Second Lieutenant Robert Gibb MILLER
Private William MILLER Private Frederick James MILLS Private John Andrew MILLS
Private Walter Charles MILLS Private Frank MOCKE Private Cecil Norman MOLLER
Private Harry James MOMSEN Second Lieutenant Matthew Rankin MONTEITH Private Arthur Lorimer MORGAN
Private John MORGAN Private William John MORGAN Private Robert Walter MORRISON
Private Alexander Archibald MORTON Private Harvey MOSS Private George Douglas MOSSES
Private James MOWAT Private Charles Bernard MOZLEY Lieutenant Claude Ludovic Hickman MULCAHY
Private Stewart MUNN Private Duncan MUNRO Private Hector MUNRO
Sergeant William Alexander MUNRO Lance Corporal Richard Barry MURPHY Private Morris Hyman MYERS
Private James Yeatman NASH Private Reginald NAYLOR Private Lionel Collingwood NEDHAM
Private William NEEDHAM Private Arnold Alexander NELSON Private Charles Victor NESBITT
Private Cyril NETTLETON Private C. NEWBERRY Private Charles Frederick William NEWELL
Corporal George Henry NEWELL Private Ellis Alban NEWTON Private Frederick NEWTON
Private Percy NEWTON Private Alfred NICHOLSON Private James NOBLE
Sapper W. NORMAN Private Arthur John NOWELL Private Clarence Frederick Reid O’CONNOR
Private John O’CONNOR Private Stephen James O’CONNOR Private Charles Cecil O’NEILL
Lance Corporal Joseph Bonan O’SHEA Private Nicholas OGDEN Private Herbert Douglas OPENSHAW
Lance Corporal James Miller ORR Lieutenant H.G. OUGHTERSON Private James Edward OWEN
Lance Corporal Edwin Evens Cragg PADDON Private George Hall PALPHRAMAND Private Ralph Hall PALPHRAMAND
Private John Allan PARKER Private Leslie Thomas PARKER Private Thomas PARKES
Lieutenant Cecil Braithwaite PARSONS Private David Henry PARSONS Private Charles Henri PATRICK
Second Lieutenant David Balfour PATRICK Private James Richard PATTERSON Private Theodore E. PATTERSON
Private W. PATTINSON Private Victor Reginald PATTISON Private John PAUL
Private S. PAWLEY Private Arthur Royle PAYNE Private Arthur PEARCE
Lance Corporal David Charles PEARCE Private William Robert Colquhorn PEARSON Private Harry Nelson PEERS
Private J.H. PERKINS Private Harry Glass PETRIE Private Ernest William PHELAN
Private Peter Begg PHILP Private Rochfort Lindley PHIPSON Private James D. PILBROW
Private Philip PITMAN Lance Corporal Charles Reeves PITTS Private John PLAYSTED
Private James William POCOCK Private Francis Edward POLE Private Campbell POLLOCK
Private Neil Morrison POLLOCK Lance Corporal Thomas POLLOCK Private George POOLE
49 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Lance Sergeant Frank POPHAM Sergeant Gerald Daniel POTGIETER Regimental Sergeant Major Elgar Edward PREBBLE, DCM
Corporal John Samuel PRESSLY, M.M. Lance Corporal William Rowland PRINCE Private Henry Charles PRODEHL
Private William Goodwill PUCKRIN Lance Corporal David PUGH Private H. PULFORD
Corporal William Olgivie PURVES Private Guy Clifford PUSEY Private John Wilson QUAIL
Private James Hubert QUINN Private Andrew Edward QUIRK Private Edward Warrwick RAFTER
Lance Corporal Walter Thomas RAINBOW Private William Lucas RANDALL Private Harold Cuthbert RAPHAEL
Corporal Stanley Francis RAPHAEL Private Willem Diederick RAUTENBACH Private John Sherlock RAYNER
Lance Corporal Thomas Jaffray READ Private Robinson Henry READETT Private Lionel REDPATH
Private D.J. REDWOOD Private Albert Ernest REID Private David REID
Sergeant Frank Victor Wallace REID Private Thomas Frederick John REID Private William REID
Private Harold RENSHAW Sergeant Charles Albert RESTALL Private Bernard Kenneth REYNOLDS
Sergeant Charles Albert RESTALL Private Bernard Kenneth REYNOLDS Corporal W.E. RICE
Private Charles Hammond RICHARDSON Private John ROBB Private A.E. ROBERTS
Private Henry John ROBERTS Private Richard Frederick ROBERTS Private David ROBERTSON
Private Maurice ROBERTSON Private John William ROBINSON Private John Lawrie Malcolm RODGER
Private Peter RODGERS Lance Corporal Arthur ROE Private Frederick John ROFFEY
Private Sidney Charles ROGERSON Lieutenant Percy Richardson ROSEBY Private Wouda Herschel ROSENZWEIG
Private Cecil Steward ROSS Private Cecil Steward ROSS Second Lieutenant Donald ROSS
Private Hugh Noble ROSS Private George Henry ROSSER Private Walter Edmund ROWE
Private James ROYAN Private Frederick RUDDLE Captain S.A. RUSSELL
Private John RYDER Company Sergeant Major Robert Francis RYDER Private John SACKVILLE
Private Arthur Alfred SALMOND Lance Corporal Douglas Rutherford SANDERS Private John Edward SANSBURY
Private Robert Alexander SAYLE Private C.W. SCHAFER Private Tom SCHOFIELD
Private Tom SCHOFIELD Sergeant Arthur Gardner SCHOOLING Private Charles John SCHOU
Private Geoffrey Lawrence SCOTT Private George William Barber SCOTT Corporal James Alfred SCOTT
Private Norman SCOTT Private Robert SCOTT Private George Richmond SCRUBY
Private Cyril Oswald SELBY Private Arthur Gordon SELLER Private Stanley Charles SEMARK
Private Alfred George SERVICE Lance Corporal W.E. SHACKLETON Sergeant Herbert SHAW
Regimental Sergeant Major Edgar Samuel Private Wilfred Percival SHILTON CQMS Archibald Gray SHORT, mentioned in SHERWOOD despatches
Lance Corporal Robert Rossouw SHORT Private William Henry SIEBERT Private Milan SIKIMICH
Lance Sergeant Charles Roberts SIMMONDS Private Joseph SINCLAIR Private L.D. McL. SINCLAIR
Private Walter Duncan SINCLAIR Lance Corporal William SINCLAIR Private Francis James Anderson SINGLEHURST
50 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Andrew SKILLEN Sergeant Albert SLACK Lance Corporal Leslie Stuart SLADE
Private Thomas Robert SLATEM Private John Martin SLATTERY Private Arthur Webster SLY
Corporal A.C. SMITH Private A.E. SMITH Private Claude Alfred Cannon SMITH
Private Edward William SMITH Private Ernest John Oscar SMITH Private Fleming William SMITH
Private Frank Allan SMITH Corporal Frank James SMITH Corporal George SMITH
Private H.G. SMITH Private Herbert Christopher SMITH Private J.H. SMITH
Private Jacob Jacobus SMITH Corporal James John SMITH Private Walter Cecil SMITH
Driver William SMITH Company Sergeant Major Livingston Hastie Private Jack SNEEZUM SNEDDON
Private Henry John SNOWDEN Private George William Albert SOAL Lance Corporal Sydney Inch SOBEY
Private Charles David SODERLAND Private Harry SOLLIS Second Lieutenant Francis Henry SOMERSET
Private Hector H. SOUDANT Private Albert Joseph SPARKES Private Clifton SPENCER
Lance Corporal Ernest William SPENCER Driver Frank STAGG Private Shedwell STEPHENS
Sergeant William Cass STERICKER Private Robert Alexander STEVENS Private Charles STEWART
Private Duncan STEWART Private James Cathcart STEWART Private John Johannes Jacobus STEYN
Private Christian Martin Frank STOFFBERG Private George William STONE Private David Donald STRACHAN
Private Harold Cecil STRATFORD Private Percy Jones STREETON Private Adrian STRUTT
Private Charles Henry STUART Private Edward Vincent STEWART Private Norman Rhodes STRURGEON
Corporal Peter STURROCK Private Charles SULLIVAN Private James Howard SURMON
Private James Watson SUTHERLAND Private George SWANEPOEL Private Percival Francis SWEMMER
Private Frank Arthur SYKES Private Isaac Henry TAIT Private John James TALJAARD
Private Rowland Henry TARBOTON Second Lieutenant Erol Victor TATHAM Second Lieutenant Russell Pears TATHAM
Private John Carver TATTERSALL Private William Hawthorn TENNANT Private Uriah TETLOW
Private W.C.R. THEOBALD Lance Corporal Laban THODAY Private James Moir THOM
Private Walter Campbell THOM Private Stanley THOMAS Private William Lange THOMAS
Private Edward THOMPSON Private John Deans THOMPSON Private Douglas John THOMSON
Sergeant George Henry THOMSON Private Henry Charles Graham THOMSON Lieutenant Robert Brown THORBURN, M.I.D
Private George Edward THORPE Private Bertie Cecil Smith TIMMS Private Alexander TOD
Private Arthur Francis TOOKE Private Horace Clayton TOWERS Private Robert George TRACE
Corporal Mark TRAVILL Private Ernest George TRENT Private Raymond James TRUSCOTT
Private H. TRYTHALL Private William Henry TUBBS Private Edward Edney TUCKER
Private Lionel James TUCKETT Private Henry TURNER Private Harold TURRELL
Private Joseph Harold TWEEDIE Private Kenneth Reginald TWEEDIE Private William TWEEDIE
Lance Corporal C. VAN BLERK Private John VAN DER WALT Private William VAN DER POLL
51 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private John Henry VAN DER SPUY Private David Stuart VAN HOLST Private Johannes Nicholas VAN TONDER
Private Francis VEITCH Private Jack WALCOTT Private Albert WALDEK
Second Lieutenant Aylmer Templer WALES Private W.T.R. WALES Lance Corporal Harold Shaw WALKER
Private Henry William WALKER Private J.B. WALKER Lance Corporal William James WALKER
Private Edward WALLACE Lance Corporal John Henry WALLACE Private Robert WALLACE
Private Frank WALTON Sergeant Philip WARD Private John WARDROP
Private Henry Templar WARREN Private Edward WATKINS Private William WATKINS
Private James WATSON Private Alexander George WATT Sergeant Francis WATTERS
Private Dudley Stanton WEBSTER Private Leslie Garnett WEBSTER Sergeant Harry WELCH
Private Cyril George WELDON Private Geoffrey WENSLEY Private Charles Harold Frere WENTWORTH
Private John Herbert WHATMORE Private Alexander WHEATLEY Lance Corporal Cyril Oscar WHITELAW
Private Robert Joseph WHITTER Private Harry WILES Sergeant Arthur Henry WILKINSON
Private Richard WILLETT Private Frederick Henry Herman WILLIAMS Sapper Joseph WILLIAMS
Private Richard WILLIAMS Private Robert Ball WILLIAMS Private Walter WILLIAMS
Private William WILLOUGHBY Private William WILLS Private Frank WILLSHIRE
Company Sergeant Major W.E. WILLSON Lance Corporal Alexander Mallock WILSON Private David Alexander WILSON
Private G.A. WILSON Private Thomas Henry WISE Lance Corporal Ernest WOOD
Private John Buckley WOOD Private Edward Turner WOODBURN Private John William WOODYER
Private Albert Henry WOOLCOT Private G. WRIGHT Private Harold Barber WRIGHT
Private John WRIGHT Sergeant William James WRIGHT Private Lawrence WYBROW
Private Gordon Garfield YOUNG Signaller William Cain YOUNG Private John Low YULE
52 ROLL OF HONOUR ARQUES-LA-BATAILLE
ALFRED J. ANDERSON W. ATLHOLANG P. BAKOKWE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
P. BANZINI L. BAPADENE K. BAREND J. BOPALAMO SANLC SANLC Cape Aux. Horse Transport SANLC
V. BOYA A. BUTTIE M. DABASHI J. DABEPI SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J. DALI J. DAMOYI C. DANIELS E. DIAMOND SANLC SANLC Cape Aux. Horse Transport SANLC
E. DIKETSO K. DIMPE B. DOKOLWANA G. DULAZE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
I. DYERS B. DZIBA S. FAKADE W. FATI Cape Aux. Horse Transport SANLC SANLC SANLC
FREDERICK FREDERICK A. FREDERICKS J. FRIESLAAR SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
S. FUNYUFUNYU N. GOLI E. GORA W. GWEBECUNILE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
ISAAC S.J. JACOBS W. JACOBS JOHANNES SANLC Cape Aux. Horse Transport Cape Aux. Horse Transport SANLC
JOHN Z. JOHNSON JONATHAN J. KAMI SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
53 J. KANGANA L. KAPUDI M. KABELO J. KATYPA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
S. KAZAMULA J. KESIANYE F. KGAKALE J. KGATI SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
S. KGOSITHEBE K. KODISHANG K. KOMAILE J. KUINANA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
B. KWEKWANA G. LEBETSHWE P. LEHAROSE J. LEHLAKA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
Z. LEKGARE J. LEKGOA M. LELAKHA P. LEONARD SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
A. LESHABE J. LESIBANA W. LETJA W. LIJURU SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
C.A. LILLIENVELDT J. LIMBA J. LOETO C. LUBENGO Cape Aux. Horse Transport SANLC SANLC SANLC
LUHANA G. LUSENGA S. MABANGO J. MAFEFERE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
G. MAFEREKA E.M. MAGAGANE J. MAGHOGHE J. MAHENGANA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLCI
K. MAHOALE MAILE T. MAJAHA J. MAKABANE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
W. MAKADI HAKA S. MAKAKAMELE S. MAKARAPA A. MAKATA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
F. MAKGOBO G. MAKI P. MAKIKELA K. MAKOMANE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
K. MALEKA W. MALIKWE S. MALIMOTLE C. MALISELA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
P. MALISELA J. MAMATO J. MANALA J. MANDLA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J. MANYAOANE B.B.M. MAPLATINE M.M. MARAJANA C. MARIBUTSI SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J. MAROKOLO R. MAROLE B. MASARA K. MASKAPA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J. MASHILO K. MASHIRANE J. MASHOBELA F. MATENJE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
54 P. MATLE C. MATLONAMELA J. MATON S. MATOPO SANLC SANLC Cape Aux. Horse Transport SANLC
J. MATUMI J. MAUZANE E. MAVAKALA J. MAVELA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
S.E. MAVUSO D.N. MAWULE P. MBANGO B. MBOMVA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J. MEHUNGU F. MFANA W. MGAULENI M. MGUNDA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
M. MICHAEL G. MIEMA A. MJARELE B. MLONYENI SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J.G. MOAKOKI MOEKETSI J. MOENG A.MOGOROSI SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
S. MOKAILE S. MOKGOSHE B. MOKGOSI M. MOKWANA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
P. MOLAVA MOLIFETSANE D. MOLOANTOA M. MONGALI SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
G. MONGOLONG MONI K. MONNATHABA G. MONTSONYANE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
T. MORAMHAU C. MOSEMEKI S. MOSHELO J. MOTEKELI SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J. MOTIANE S. MOTIBEDI E. MOTOMANE J. MOTSEKE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
K. MOTSITSI MOTSUAKETSANA D. MOYAKE J. MOYENDANI SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
S. MOYEYA F. MOYI J. MPAHLELA J. MPAKETOANE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
L. MPAPA C. MPHOTO D. MPITSO S. MSUSENELE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
S. MTEMBU K. MUDZWETA J.M. MUGOGODA K. MURUKU SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
K. NDHLOVU M. NENGWENANI C. NESHONGOLWE W. NETSHABANA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
P. NGOAKU F. NGWANA G. NJOSE M. NKAPU SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
55 J. NKARABILE V. NKOSANA A. NOMBULARA N. NONTSHIBONG SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
F. NTEKE N. NTLAWENI M. NTSHAKAZA G. NTUENG SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
E. NYANZA B. NYEMBANE J. NZUZA P. NZUZA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J. PALOLOA K. PAPAMO J. PATSOANE PAULUS SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
F.PEHEHA W.PHOKOO L.PHULENG T.POLMAN SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
C. PRIGA F. RAMAKOALE J. RAMAKONE I. RAMENOLE Cape Aux. Horse Transport SANLC SANLC SANLC
K. RAMKONDO H. RAMOTHLEBANE RANTANKIE G. RASHIDAU SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
F. RUITERS M. SABUNI E. SAJENE SAMUEL Cape Aux. Horse Transport SANLC SANLC SANLC
J. SAPI S. SEBETLANE N. SEDIBUDIBU P. SELLO SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J. SENGAPI SEPATALA G. SEPUTLALE I. SERAILO SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
S. SERONGOANE SETHA J. SHAHALE J. SHINABU SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J. SHUMAYELE Z. SIDIGE SIFICI J. SILIELO SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
TATI T. THLIDI THOMAS F. THOMAS SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
F. TIRO S. TITISI TOHLANG K.M. TOTI SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
J.Z. TSEGELE W. TUMUNU S. TUSE WANGA SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
S. WILLEM WILLIAM J. WILLIE H.C. WITBOOI SANLC SANLC SANLC Cape Aux. Horse Transport
B. YEKISO J. YINGWANE S. ZACHARIAH J. ZULANE SANLC SANLC SANLC SANLC
A. ZWANE SANLC
56 ROLL OF HONOUR SS MENDI
MEN BURIED IN PORTSMOUTH (MILTON) CEMETERY, HAMPSHIRE, U.K.
Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Stephen FULE Private Willie Pampiri HOMELANE Private Captain KOZAMULA
Private Karel Kgokong LETAU Colour Sergeant R.A. MacTAVISH Private John MKONI
Private Elias MONYELE Private Thomas PLAATJE
MEN BURIED IN LITTLEHAMPTON CEMETERY, SUSSEX, U.K.
Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Simon LINGANISO Private Jim MBOMBIYA Private Smith SEGULE
MAN BURIED IN HASTINGS CEMETERY, SUSSEX, U.K.
Rank / Name
Lance Corporal Jabez NGUZA
57 MAN BURIED IN EAST DEAN (SS SIMON AND JUNE) CHURCHYARD, SUSSEX, U.K.
Rank / Name
Private Willie TSHABANA
MAN BURIED IN WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE
Rank / Name
Private T. MONAMATYA
MEN COMMEMORATED BY SPECIAL MEMORIALS IN NOORDWIJK GENERAL CEMETERY, ZUID, HOLLAND
Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Natal KAZIMULA Private Abram LEBOCHE Private Sitebe MOLIFE
Private Sikaniso MTOLO Private Arosi ZENZILE
MEN COMMEMORATED ON THE HOLLYBROOK MEMORIAL, SOUTHAMPTON, U.K.
Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Andries ABRAHAM Private Fred ABRAHAMS Private Jackson ABRAMS
Private Jim ALIVENI Private Abraham ANDRIES Private Amandus Pasoane AUPA
Private George BADE Private Joel BADLANA Private Langeni BALWENI
Lance Corporal Mxonywa BANGANI Private Isaac BASILIE Private James BAY
Private Henry BEKO Corporal Jack BETA Private Windvogel BEYULA
Private Jim BHAY Lance Corporal Dokoda BOKLENI Sergeant Henry BOKLENI
Private John BOOI Staff Sergeant A.B. BOTES Colour Sergeant CH BOTHA
Private Freddy BUNGANE Private Joseph BUTITJE Private CHARLES
58 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Elijah CHESA Interpreter Legwale Stephen Lucas CHOLOFELO Staff Sergeant A. COCKRELL
Private Jim DABANI Private Piet DAMPI Private Thomas DANKI
Private William DANO Private Annaniya DEALIAHA Private Aldum DENGESE
Private Geelbooi DINOKA Private William DITSEPU Private John DYUSHANE
Chaplain Wauchope DYOBHA Private Piet Glasin ELAND Lieutenant S. EMSLIE
Private Piet ETEA Private John FIDYOLI Colour Sergeant T.A. FORD
Private Williams FREDDIE Private William GABAZA Private Lucas GABUTLOELOE
Private Manie GCINA Private John GIGIMA Private Jim Tom GILWENI
Private Willie GOBIZITWANA Lance Corporal Henry GQWETA Private John GUMEDE
Private Charlie GUNENI Private Jack GWABU Private Jacob GWATYUZA
Private James HENDRICKS Private Willem HENDRICKS Private Fishi HLATSHWAYO
Private Mandwane HLATSHWAYO Private Mangaliso HLONGWANA Private Mgudulwana HLONGWANA
Lance Corporal Sigidi HLONGWANA Private Kula HLONGWANE Private Magaju HLONGWANE
Private Magwegwana HLONGWANE Private Mlando HLONGWANE Private Totwana HLONGWANE
Private Tshotsha HLONGWANE Private Zambezi HLONGWANE Private Francis HOLOANE
Private Jacobo ISAAC Private Jim JAMANGILE Private Joseph JANTOLE
Private Willie JOHNSON Private Jim JONAS Private Saluseni JONAS
Private Pansi JONGILANGA Private Lawrence JUBILE Private Simeon KABI
Private Mac KAKELA Lance Corporal Karl KALE Private Hamilton KALI
Private Simon KALOTO Private Change KARISHI Private Jan KASHANE
Private John KATAZA Private Tshabalala KAYISA Private Moskien KAZAMULA
Private Willie KAZAMULA Private Natal KAZIMULA Private Johnson KEPASIYE
Lance Corporal Jack KEPISA Private Helon KETSBAI Private Kleinbooi KGADILE
Private Jan KGAHANE Private Johannes KGANA Private Lucas KGATGANE
Private Kleinbooi KGOBOSEKANG Private Isaac KGOSI Lance Corporal Longone KGUPA
Private Robinson KHAILE Private Mapipe KHOANAMUTSI Private Dovey KHOLOPANE
Clerk Interpreter Henry James KHUTSAYO Private John KLADI Private Jack KLEINBOOI
Cook/Sergeant R. KNAGGS Private Walter Josiah KOALANE Private Jonas KOKOTO
Private Simon KOLONG Private Sam KOLUBA Lance Corporal Jan KOOPMAN
Private Jan KOPANE Private Zondo KUFAKABI Private Magwala KUMALO
Private John KUSE Private Jack KWIKWANYE Private Charlie LEBEKO
Private Ishmael LEFI Private Stephen LEGOABE Private Alfred LEKAU
59 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private John LEKAU Private Solomon LEKGOLI Clerk John LEKHOTO
Private Geelbooi LEPERO Private David Job LEPHETHE Private Corporal LESELE
Private Jan LESETJA Private William LESHAGE Private Daniel LESIBA
Private Jan LESIBA Private Joseph LESIBA Private Simon LESIBA
Private Jim LESIBANA Private Martinus LESITJA Private Charlie LESITYA
Private Johannes LESOALA Private Namatshan LETEBELE Private Pond LETEBELE
Private Mothlakana LETSIE Lance Corporal Lucas LETWATWA Private John LIFA
Private David LIKGOLI Private Sebolai LIKGOLI Private Michele LITHABA
Private Ncotele LITYE Private Frans LIWELA Private Piet LOUW
Chaplain Koni LUHLONGWANA Private Jacobus LUPITINI Private Songca Paul LUVUKUVU
Private Jim MAAIXANE Private Joseph MAAKE Private Saucepan MAAKE
Private Mpini MABANE Private Abraham MABARURU Private Tula MABASO
Private Charlie MABILA Private John Pupuma MADELA Private Tatani MADIKIZELA
Private Jacob MADIMETJA Lance Corporal Robert MADOSI Private Jack MADUBANYA
Private Botha MADUME Private Frans MADUME Private Jack MADUME
Private Jack MADUME Private Jim MADUME Private Kleinbooi MADUME
Private Mackson MADUME Private Frans MADZIBANA Private Daniel MAFIKA
Private Mntuyedwa MAFILIBA Private Daniel MAGADI Private Alison MAGAGAMELA
Private Jan MAGALELE Private Klaas MAGALOBUTHA Private Sitini MAGGISI
Private Zondo MAGIDA Lance Corporal Isaac MAGOBA Private Windvogel Makhatali MAHALADI
Corporal Stephen MAHARO Private Whisky MAHLABA Private Richard MAHLENTLE
Private Klaas MAHLOAPITSENG Private Isaac MAHLUDI Private Klass MAHOHOZA
Private Canteen MAHUTU Private Ehphraim MAIFADI Private Makoba MAJUTA
Private Nokwelo MAKALI Private Robert MAKALIMA Private Bloro MAKAMBA
Private Kleinbooi MAKATU Private Ndabana MAKAYE Lance Corporal Kimberley MAKELENI
Private Jan MAKHOBE Private Frank MAKHOPANE Private Paraffin MAKILITSHI
Private Jack Jantje MAKOE Private Benjamin MAKOLE Private Johannes MAKUDU
Private Jacob MAKWANE Private Mack MAKWATEDI Private Josias MAKWENA
Private Titi MALAGWANA Private Jack MALEBOGO Private Charlie MALEMUTLE
Private Jan MALESELA Private Hlanga MALGAS Private Kana MALI
Private Mac MALI Private Charlie MALUSE Private Franz MALUSE
Private Lucas MALUSE Private Johannes MAMABULO Private Bernard MANUNYANE
Private Sam MANDCAS Lance Corporal Dick MANDUBULEM Private Jack MANEKA
60 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Piet MANGAPELO Corporal William MANGE Private John MANGISE
Private Jacob MANGOLOANE Private Timothy MANGQE Private Jan MANGWANA
Private Jack MANTSUPI Private Ben MANZANE Private Keve MAPALALA
Private Charlie MAPARANA Private William MAPHESA Private Hosiah MAPHETO
Private Harry MAPHOTO Private Samson MAPULANE Private Marthinus MARCH
Private Macambi MAREYANA Private Jacob MAROFULA Private Willem MAROLE
Private Johannes MARTHINS Private Elbert MASADE Private Jeremiah MASALENI
Private Windvogel Captain MASEKO Private Jameson MASHALIE Private Dick MASIA
Private Williams MASIKELA Private Transvaal MASILO Private Taweni MASINA
Private Jonas MASINDE Private George MASINDI Private Julius MASOLING
Private Piet MATEBULA Private Aaron MATHLANA Private Richard MATJALA
Lance Corporal Jan MATJOLA Private Johannes MATLALA Private Picanin MATLALA
Corporal Jafta MATONSI Private Abel MATSANG Private Hezekiah MATSHANA
Private Marcus MATSHE Private Andries MATSHELANE Private Frans MATSUBANE
Private Jim MATSUBANE Private Frans MATUME Private Moses MATUME
Private Thousand MATUPU Private Gwavuma MAZAKU Private Mbele Jerele MAZALEVULA
Private Albert Nkomempunga MBATA Private Isaac MBEDLA Private Sam MBIKWA
Private Jim MBIYAZWE Private Mzingele MBUZI Private Russell Palmer MCANYANA
Private Solomon MDATA Lance Corporal Olifas MDINGI Private Edward MDUNA
Private July MDUNYELWA Private Mnyelizo MDYOGOLO Private Herman MEKGOE
Private John MENZA Private Billy MGIDI Private Petrus MGOBOYE
Private Solomon MGWENA Private Ndukwana MHLANGA Private Willie MIJANA
Private Bovi MKOKELI Private Konisars MKOMANDI Private Frans MKOMAZI
Private Jim MKOMAZI Private Jim MKUNGURI Private Jail MLAHLEKI
Private Robert MLONYENI Private Melville MNCEDANA Private Gama MNYELISO
Private Longone MNYIKINWA Lance Corporal Josiah MOATSE Lance Corporal William MOBITSELA
Private Theophilus MODEBA Private Goodman MODIKENG Private Jan MODISANE
Private David MODISE Private Petrus MOEATA Private Sampson MOENG
Private Koos MOFOKENG Private Klaas MOGALOBUTHA Private Jacob MOHALE
Private Willem MOHASE Private William MOHOWE Private Hendrik MOKATAKISA
Private Aaron Jili MOKGELELI Private Aaron MOKGOSI Private Samuel MOKGWERE
Private Simon MOKHALI Private Mac MOKHAPO Private Amos MOLABI
Private Philip MOLAI Private Titus MOLELEKOA Private Silika MOLELI
61 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Andries MOLIFE Private Linesa MOLIFE Private Mosimiti MOLIFE
Private Andries MOLISANYANE Private Kleinbooi MOLOI Private Mreki MOLOYI
Private Johannes MONAKE Private Edward MONEHELA Private Zentonga MONGAMELI
Private Joseph MONGOLOGA Private Michael MONTSO Lance Corporal Philip MONYAKE
Private Jim MORASHE Private Pinefas MORE Private Benjamin MOROGOSI
Private Walter MOROLONG Private Moses MOSHE Private Jack MOSHIMANE
Lance Corporal Amos MOSITSI Private Jacob MOTAUNG Private Eliah MOTEBANG
Private Jack MOTELA Private Jan MOTHEI Private Peter MOTOBI
Private Edmund MPAFULANE Private Motsoahai MPALAKELA Private Jan MPETE
Private Johannes MPIE Private John MPOA Private Mkeza MPOTYANA
Private Sitibe MQOBO Private Jan MSESENYANE Private John MSHOTI
Private Lubaro MSIMANGO Private Galimini Lemu MSIYA Private Hlangweni MTATI
Private Mswela MTEMBU Private Moloyi MTIKIMANA Private John MTIRARA
Private Abraham MTOMBENI Private Gabayi MTSHOTSHISA Private July MUDUNGAZI
Private Joe MUHLABA Private Change MUHLABE Private Andries MUKOPO
Private Charles MUKOSANA Private Fred MUKOTLE Private David MULAMU
Private Mukale MUNANI Private Jim MURAPE Private Jack MUROA
Private Daniel MUTINJWA Private Joniseni MVULA Private Jim MZAMANI
Private Alfred MZAYIFANI Private Johannes MZIMANE Private Jotama MZONO
Private David NAFUFA Private Jack NAKEDI Private Charlie NAPANE
Private George NAWANE Private Pikiti NDABA Corporal Richard NDAMASE
Private Baleni NDANISI Lance Corporal James NDEYA Lance Corporal Isaac NDHLOVU
Private Jim NDHLULI Private Samuel NDIKI Private Nzulu NDLANKUHLE
Private William NDUNA Private Tsusa NEPHTALE Private Ben Elias NGADE
Private Enos NGAKE Private Canteen NGATE Private Pikanini NGATE
Private Durward NGCENCE Private Pansi Vincent NGCOBO Private Pindela NGCOBO
Corporal Walter NGESI Private Koza NGINGANA Private Sitole NGQIKI
Private Zilandana NGQOTOZA Private Jan NGWAHEWA Private James NGWANE
Private Pikanini NIABANI Private George NINI Private Sly NKAKULENI
Private Banana NKENI Corporal Lukase NKHEREANYE Private Peter NKOANE
Private Joseph NKOHLA Private Daniel NKONYANA Private Jack NKUNWANA
Lance Corporal Charles NKWAMBENE Lance Corporal John NKWENKWE Private Squire NODOLO
62 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Pinyana NODYIWANA Corporal Charlie NOMVABA Private Makatini NONGQAYI
Private Simon NPATU Private Tshange NQAKAMATSHE Private Zondo NSULANSULA
Private Frans NTETE Private Charlie NTINDILE Private Piet NTOPI
Private Kleinbooi NTORO Private Honono NTOZAKE Private Dick Mquitshwa NTSHANGASE
Lance Corporal Mbalela NTSHETSHA Private Marthinus Bullar NTSIRENYI Private Thomas NTSUNTSWANA
Private Ben Sydney NUKULA Private Mlungu NXAZANKE Private Varandah NYAMANA
Private Konish NYAMBANA Private Samuel NYATI Private Ebenezer NYONANE
Private Clout John NZIBA Private Fanwell OLIBENG Private Piet OLIFANT
Private Pieter OLYN Lance Corporal Alexander PALA Private James PAMBILI
Private Johannes PAPETJI Private Quvalele PARAFFIN Corporal Radoma PASILE
Private William PASOANE Private Petrus PAUL Private Dolf PAULUS
Private Charlie PAYIPELI Private Ephraim PERIKE Private Kleinbooi PETELA
Private Stephen PETULA Private Bob PHALADI Private Tom PHITI
Private Thomas PHOHOPHEDI Private Simon PHULA Private Isaac PIETERS
Private Paulus PIETERSEN Private Stephen PIKASHILA Private Matthews PISANE
Private Andries PITSO Private Jan PITSO Private Malgas PLAATJES
Private Philip POKO Private Frans POKWANE Private Koos PONYOSE
Private Jacob POTO Corporal David PUGISO Private Philemon PULANA
Private Lazarus PULE Lance Corporal Edward QABA Lance Corporal Jan QAKALA
Private Charlie QUZULA Private Cawood QWEBE Private Jan RABATJE
Private James RADEBE Private Lucas RADZAKA Private Frans RAKAU
Private Johannes RAKGOKONG Private Ramose RALINTOE Private Charlie RAMAHO
Private Titus RAMAKALE Private Gerson RAMAKHUTLE Private Modise RAMAKOKO
Private Frederick RAMARUMO Private Job RAMASITA Private Joseph RAMATEA
Lance Corporal George RAMATHODI Private George RAMKOSI Private Lukas RAMOPO
Private Nicodimus RAMOSHIELA Private Abel RAMOSOLE Private Aaron RAMPOMANA
Private Jan RAMPUNYE Private Jan RASKANE Private Samuel RATILULI
Private Gilmore RATSHOGO Private Piccanin RESINALI Private Franci REUBEN
Lieutenant E.H. RICHARDSON Private Smith ROADWAY Private Jerry RWAIRWAI
Private Wolobile SAMELA Private Selepe SEATHLANE Private Samuel SEBADI
Private Geelbooi SEFAKO Private Jim SEFAKO Private Rice SEKAKAILA
Lance Corporal George SEKONYELA Private Josiah SEKORO Private Stephanus SEKOTI
63 Rank / Name Rank / Name Rank / Name
Private Jan SEKWIDI Private Jim SELANI Corporal Seth SELLO
Lance Corporal Green SEODI Private April SEPALELA Private Willie SEPOSO
Private Jackson SEREWE Private Philemon SETLOKO Private Jack SHEBESHEBE
Private Jack SHIKAMBA Private Bossboy SHILETANE Private Thimotheus SIBALABALA
Private Jim SIBALELA Private Jacobus SIBISI Private Edmund SIBIZO
Private Samson SIBOLAYI Private Kleinbooi SIFAKU Private Zachariah Kumalo SIGEDEDHLA
Private William SIKAWULEB Private Theodore George SIKOTA Private Ben SIKWAYI
Private Frans SILWANE Private Mehlomane SILWANYANA Private July SINQANA
Private Koos SITLAKO Private Charlie SITOLE Private Hermanus SKHABI
Private Jim SKIP Private Korporal Kopane SNELE Private Anderson SOKA
Private Meji SOLANI Private Tom SOMATSHUNGU Private William SOMGEDE
Private George STEPHANS Private James STUNGA Private Zwane SUKWANA
Private Abraham SUPING Private Johannes SUPING Private Jan SWARTS
Private Sam SWARTS Private Jacob TABUDI Lance Corporal Frank TAKISI
Private Johannes TAMASINYA Private Zachariah TANKABONG Private Phineas Gansini TANONI
Private July TANTATA Private Style TETANI Private Charlie THEBEAGOE
Private Billem TIMPANE Private Percy TIYA Private Elias TLABURE
Private Michael TLADIYAMOTSE Lance Corporal Jan TOKHAYE Private Jim TOM
Private Jacob TSAMAYA Private John TSASE Private Jack TSEHLANA
Private Klaas TSHEKOSI Private Charlie TSHENENE Private Paul TSHIKARE
Private Joseph TSHITE Private Paul TSHOMOLOKAE Private Solomon TSHULE
Private Abram TSHULO Private Jackson TUBE Private Jim TUMBERI
Regimental Sergeant Major T.K. TURNER Private John TYILO Private Jeremiah TYWALANA
Lance Corporal Frans UTUNI Private Jantshi UZYNINGO Private Collis VIMBA
Sergeant Phillip VOSS Private Joe VOVELA Private Charles VUTULA
Private Isaac WANCHOPE Private Freddie WILLIAMS Lance Corporal Henry WILLIAMS
Private Johannes YINGWANA Private Hlope ZANEMPI Private John ZATU
Private Arosi ZENZILE Private Mashaya ZIMUKE Private Edward ZINYUSILE
Private Solomon Vili ZONDI Private Pukwana ZONDO Private April ZULU
Private Sikonyana ZWANE
64 THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION
Delville Wood, its cemetery and the grounds around the Memorial and Museum are kept in pristine condition by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, originally established by Royal Charter as the Imperial War Graves Commission in 1917, commemorates 1.7 million war dead from the Commonwealth nations in 152 countries in accordance with the Royal Charter by making fit provision in perpetuity for their graves and memorials and maintaining a record of the dead. Its work is guided by four fundamental principles established in 1920:
1. That each of the dead should be commemorated individually by name either on a headstone over a grave or by an inscription on a memorial if such a grave is unidentified;
2. That the headstones and memorials should be permanent;
3. That the headstones should be uniform; and
4. That there should be no distinction made on account of military or civil rank, race or creed.
The theme of common sacrifice and equal honour in death is reflected in the non-sectarian design of the headstones used throughout the world and in the policy of non-repatriation of the members of the Imperial/ Commonwealth forces. This has resulted in the location of the memorials and military cemeteries truly reflecting the spirit of both World Wars. The headstones and the Stone of Remembrance commemorating those who perished in the Second World War were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the same architect who designed the South African National Anglo- Boer War Memorial adjacent to the Ditsong National Museum of Military History. The beautifully proportioned Cross of Sacrifice, found in all the cemeteries, was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.wo T facts which one finds difficult to ignore when visiting the cemeteries are, firstly, the average age of those who are buried there, which is twenty two. The second is the number of graves of unknown soldiers seen in many, if not all, of them. Rank, regiment or unit is engraved on the headstone if partial identification of the remains was possible. By far the majority, however, are entirely unidentified and simply bare the inscription chosen by Rudyard Kipling: ‘Known unto God’.
65 66 THE SOUTH AFRICAN DELVILLE WOOD COMMEMORATIVE MUSEUM TRUST
This brochure has been produced by the Delville Wood Commemorative Museum Trust. This Trust, in its current form, having been preceded by a Fund established in the early 1980s, was formed on 14 August 1995.
Mission of the Trust
To actively support the development of the Museum at Delville Wood and its image.
Objectives
• To acquire items suitable for display in the Museum.
• To promote the image of the Museum.
• To sponsor, promote, and arrange pilgrimages,
• To participate in memorial services at Arques-la-Bataille and Delville Wood.
• To provide active support to the South African Embassy in France.
• To promote good relations with the citizens and towns of Longueval and Dieppe.
• To promote good relations with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, French and Commonwealth Military Veterans’ Organisations and the communities of the Somme.
• To achieve effective, efficient, and economic utilization of resources.
• To facilitate high interest in the Museum.
• To contribute funds, when required, for the maintenance, extension, development and management of the Museum.
67 Expenditure in recent years
Examples:
Audio visual system; Sound system; Visitor’s book; SA Coat of Arms; Blinds; Umbrella stands; Refurbishment of picnic tables, Door varnishing; Display cabinet varnishing; Display on the Struggle against apartheid; Fence around the last tree (supported by SAAFA); Montages on 90th Anniversary; Website; SS Mendi Roll of Honour Display; Google listing; support of Memorial Services.
In addition, the Trust has worked extensively on promoting the memory of Delville Wood amongst serving members of the SANDF, Military Veterans and the general public in SA.
Trustees
Past Chairmen include Justice MT Steyn, Mr C Cilliers and Major General RC Andersen
The current Trustees are:
Brig Gen (Rev) Monwabisi Jamangile ensp, psc(j) (Chairman)
Dr (Maj) Terence Milne (Ret) (Deputy Chairman)
Maj Gen Roy C Andersen CSSA, SD, SM, MMM, JCD
Maj Gen Lungile Dlulane MMM
R Adm Alan Green MMM (Ret)
Maj John Keene PMM, JCD (Ret)
Brig Gen David Masters PS, MMM (Ret)
Mr Themba Ndebele-Monyela
Maj Gen Philip Pretorius CSSA, SD, SM, MMM (Ret)
Col Ivor W Rimmer MMM (Ret)
Lt Col Grant Stevens MMM (Ret)
68 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Gratitude is expressed to the following for the assistance with the preparation of this retrospective:
Editorial Committee
Maj Gen Roy Andersen CSSA, SD, SM, MMM, JCD (Chairman)
Maj Gen Lungile Dlulane MMM
Mr Dominic Hoole
Dr (Maj) Terence Milne (Ret)
Maj Gen PhilIip Pretorius CSSA, SD, SM, MMM (Ret)
Captain (SAN) Charles Ross PG, SM, MMM (Ret)
Mr Allan Sinclair
Mr David Williams
Source Material
Ditsong National Museum of Military History
www.delvillewood.com
Photographs
Ditsong National Museum of Military History
www.delvillewood.com
As disclosed under pictures
69 Research & Typing
Mrs Sharon Moyes
Translations into French
French Embassy in South Africa
Creative Design, Layout, Printing and Sponsorship
Ms Linda Graae and Formeset Print (Pty) Ltd
Coordination
Ms RD Khashane
Distribution to SA Veterans
SA Legion of Military Veterans
In addition, the Trust would like to thank the Ashworth family, who had two brothers who fought in Delville Wood, for covering the expenses of three winners of the school essay competition to attend the 2016 service in Delville Wood.
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