ISSN: 221-9854 AUGUST 2020 The residents from the Bronberrick suburb of Centurion that held a Battle of Delville Wood Memorial Serice on a busy street corner in the suburb on Thursday 16 July 2020. 1 INDEX Page FROM THE EDITORS DESK 3 ROYAL COMMONWEALTH EX-SERVICES LEAGUE 3 NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 4 National Secretary 4 National Office Bearers 7 Port Folio Reports 8 BRANCH NEWS 9 COMMEMORATIONS 13 104th Virtual Battle of Delville Wood Memorial Service 13 Battle of Delville Wood Memorial Service – Johannesburg 17 Battle of Delville Wood Memorial Service – Bronberrick 17 Places of the Ashes of the Late General Viljoen 19 Arques La Battaille 19 OTHER STORIES 19 Time to Remmember by Bob Smith 21 Midget Submarines at D-Day 24 In Service First – Royal Australian Navy member awarded the VC 25 SA Bible Society and SA Armed Forces 26 OBITUARIES 28 2 FROM THE EDITORS DESK Five months later, and we have finally arrived at Level Two of the Lockdown. This means new “freedom” and a “new normal” for us. It also means that some industries, such as tourism, can finally start working again and many people can return to work. For some of us, it is also the opportunity to get out and travel across provincial borders to places we want to visit. However, this new “freedom” has brought with it renewed responsibilities. Branches can also commence with certain branch activities, provided that they abide by the various regulations. With Level Two the Government has “transferred” the responsibility to us, the citizens of South Africa. More than ever before the onus is on us to abide by the various regulations of which the wearing of a cloth mask, sanitizing, regular washing our hands and maintaining social distance is of paramount importance. Sadly the past five months have also brought with it hardships and even in some cases the loss of someone close. There were some of our fellow veterans experienced hardships, but true to the motto “Not for Ourselves, But for Others” the various branch rose to the occasion by assisting. Many of these are ongoing and branches continue assisting. Let us keep our eyes on the horizon, remain positive, be thankful for the small blessings of every day and abide by the regulations. ROYAL COMMONWEALTH EX-SERVICES LEAGUE (RCEL) MESSAGE FROM CONTROLLER COMPLIANCE & VJ DAY 75 LEAD Dear Member Organisations, The 75th Anniversary of VJ Day takes place on 15th August 2020, when the nation will commemorate this historic moment in time. You will appreciate that there are many organisations involved in this act of remembrance and RCEL has been working with many of them to ensure that the contribution made by our Commonwealth veterans receives the recognition it deserves. We, of course, want to achieve the widest distribution for our key message, which is: Remembering the exceptional contribution made by all Commonwealth troops who served with British Army units of the Fourteenth Army, Royal Navy ships and Royal Air Force squadrons and all Services fighting throughout the Pacific. Highlighting the diversity and multi-cultural nature of those who fought against tyranny and for democracy and freedom. 3 Ensuring that those who served with the ‘Forgotten Army’ are not forgotten and are marked in history as an inspiration to future generations. Our Grand President, General Lord Richards, has reinforced this message in a specially commissioned video which also includes an interview with Pte Joseph Hammond who served with the 82nd (West African) Division in Burma and wreath-laying ceremonies across the Commonwealth in Rangoon (Burma), Kohima (Nagaland India), Accra (Ghana) and Kingston (Jamaica). This poignant tribute to our Commonwealth veterans can be viewed through this link: https://vimeo.com/446399367/f751aba57e In addition to this VJ Day 75 commemorative video montage, there have been numerous interviews with veterans that have been arranged with the BBC, ABF The Soldiers Charity and the National Army Museum and have been pre-recorded, and there are planned events taking place during the week building up to and including the 15th August; a full list of interviews/events and links can be found on our website http://www.commonwealthveterans.org.uk/v-j-day.php and includes: Grand President Crowdcast with the National Army Museum on the 14th August 2020 - https://www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/commonwealth-contribution-far-east Captain Tom Moore and Pte Joseph Hammond in conversation with the National Army Museum - https://www.nam.ac.uk/series/vj-day-75 Grand President and veteran interviews with ABF The Soldiers Charity - https://soldierscharity.org/podcasts/ The commemorative event at the National Memorial Arboretum on the 15th August 2020 – Sir Malcolm Rifkind (Chairman of the Commonwealth Veterans Review Committee) and long- time supporter and Friend of The League has kindly agreed to represent RCEL at this vent. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/vj-day Please enable the widest distribution for this email and the interview/event links thus ensuring that our veterans receive the recognition they deserve at this historic moment in time. I cannot sign off without recognising and thanking the numerous people and organisations that have made all these events possible, The Royal British Legion, ABF The Soldiers Charity, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, National Army Museum, H4FA, BBC, British Embassy Rangoon, DA Accra Ghana, Charles Chasie (KES Nagaland), Jamaica Defence Force, Johanna Lewin (RCEL Project Officer Caribbean), Veterans Administration Ghana and Derrick Cobbinah (RCEL Project Officer Africa). Thank you all. NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS NATIONAL SECRETARY Covid 19 and its effect on NHQ SA Legion NHQ would like to thank you for your understanding and patience during these difficult and uncertain Covid-19 times. 4 SA Legion NHQ, like many other companies, has been greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown implemented by our Government. There were periods the office was closed, and staff had to work from home, often with limited resources. This had a detrimental effect on the normal operating hours and the services that we usually offer. Regulations only allowed the shipping of essential items which, unfortunately, excluded the entire SA Legion inventory as it was not considered as essential. This includes the routine shipping of official documentation Nationwide. Aramex Couriers too had to close numerous time due to staff testing positive for Covid-19. Due to the persisting spread of the C-19 virus, NHQ will continue adhering to social distancing, regular sanitizing of the office and in this regard, except for the National Office Bearers, will not allow visits to the office. Therefore, SAL NHQ will continue utilizing electronic communication channels and distribution of orders, including official documentation, will only be via Aramex courier. Kindly bear with us as we strive to provide the best service possible for our Veterans during this time. SA Legion NHQ trusts that you and your loved ones continue to remain safe during these uncertain and unpredictable times. Important Comms Forwarded to all SA Legion Branches New Legion Shirt Pocket Badge. 1. SA LEGION DIRECTIVE 9 OF 2020 - POPI ACT DIRECTIVE SUMMARY AND POPI ACT, ACT 4 OF 2013 2. DEPARTMENT PUBLIC WORKS - REQUEST FOR DATABASE OF UNEMPLOYED PROFESSIONALS, GRADUATES AND WORK INTEGRATED LEARNERS IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR 3. DMV APPLICATIONS & ADMINISTRATION BASIC & TERTIARY EDUCATION - 2020/07/28 4. INFORMATION SRD APPLICATION PROCESS: SRD – DEPT SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT & DEPT MILITARY VETERANS Stock Items Due to C-19, SAL NHQ could not order normal for SAL ties yet. Poppy ties & cravats are on special @ R100.00 incl each excluding courier cost. 5 Legion song 6 New Stock Items 1. SA Legion branded masks, medium to extra-large @R55.00 incl each excluding courier cost 2. SAL Shirt Pocket Badge @R35.00 incl each excluding courier cost NHQ has a copy of the SA Legion song New Legion Mask. lyrics. NP suggested that singing the song would foster solidarity amongst the members though we need to determine the musical score of the song. Lgr. Enrique Forbes suggested that the song could be sung at the 87th Congress. NLM indicated that the song was performed by the Simons Town Naval Band. NS to copy and forward the lyrics to NP. NATIONAL OFFICE BEARERS The National Office Bearers (NOB) met at the National Headquarters on Saturday 18 July. The National President travelled to Johannesburg to attend the meeting. Having received the resignation of the National Treasurer, Legionnaire Marina Seabrook, the meeting appointed Legionnaire George Booth as the National Treasurer until the Legion Congress 2021. The National President thanked Legionnaire Seabrook for her service and recommended that a Certificate of Merit be awarded to her. The Centenary Congress of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-services League (RCEL), scheduled for September 2021 in Cape Town, was discussed. The dates are not yet known. A “goody bag” for each delegate was discussed which includes items such as a challenge coin, a medallion and two small bottles of South African wine (one white and one red). Due to the uncertainty of the dates of the RCEL centenary congress, the dates of the Centenary Legionnaiire George Booth, new National Congress of the SA Legion, could not yet be confirmed. Treasurer. Several memorabilia which includes a silk tie for the congress was discussed. It was further agreed that those branches who also celebrate their centenary in 2021 be requested to delay the event till after the Legion’s centenary congress. It was further proposed that a special Centenary Springbok edition be published. 7 At the meeting of 18 July, the Code of Conduct was signed by those present. Each member will receive a copy of the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct was included in the new Member’s Handbook which is being finalised.