SPRINGBOK DECEMBER 2016

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2

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ISSN number 221-9854

Newsletter: 2016/2 structured and run in future. This is very important especially the financial controls. The team should report back to all early in 2017. It is a pleasure to have a new National Executive that is enthusiastic and I am sure will make a big difference to the Legion going forward.

A special focus will be on generating awareness of our new South African Poppy. This will be at Midmar Mile, Comrades Marathon, Royal Show with temporary tattoos etc. As part of the Durban branch members with learners from Glenwood High School during 95th anniversary it is important to genVeterans Day at the Stellawood Cemetery in Durban erate interest amongst veterans and our communities.

NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Next year our National Secretary, Lgr Marietta Venter will be retiring and we wish her well, especially in health, in the future. We also thank her for 15 years of dedicated service. Welcome to Lgr Riana Venter van Zyl who will be taking over as National Secretary.

The National Executive decided at the last workshop to focus on three main legs namely: remembrance, recognition and service. This edition of the Springbok certainly shows what is being done in all three areas by the Legion. Congratulations and thanks to all Legionnaires and their families On behalf of the Legion, I wish you all the best for all their efforts. for the New year and a peaceful holiday season.

In October a successful National Congress was Lgr Godfrey Giles, National President SA Leheld in Cape Town where a special task team has gion been set up to look at how the Legion should be US/British Last Post

21

2

Butte-de-Warlencourt

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Portfolio Committee reports

5

Nelson today

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Branch News

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Kimberley history

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From the Editors Desk

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National Headquarters

Commemorations

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Other Stories

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Veteran database

29

Obituaries

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USS Nimitz

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SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 FROM THE EDITORS DESK

Page 2 people have seen the magazines, 13 readers have shared parts of the magazines, the magazines have four permanent followers (these are people that receives a message when a new magazine is published and one like.

As you noticed this edition is once again a bumper edition of more than 70 A4 pages. Having put together this edition there is still sufficient material available for another edition.

Lgr Charles Ross, Springbok Editor.

Since assuming the role of Editor of the South African Legion of Military Veteran’s six monthly magazine, SPRINGBOK, I have experienced the tremendous growth in support from all members of the Legion. In particular the support from the various branches who sends newsletters, reports on events and the most important photos of events.

The support from the members and the branches allowed the SPRINGBOK to grow from the 20 A5 page magazine in 2013 to the 64 A4 page magazine for the December 2015 edition. Apart from still distributing the SPRINGBOK in hard copies in the A5 format it is also now distributed electronically. The electronic copy differs slightly from the hard copy in that it contains more photos. The electronic copy is also posted on the ISSUU website which makes it easy to share the magazine to the various Facebook Pages as well as to members that have access to the internet.

The advantage of posting the magazine on the ISSUU website is that is then available to the international community and many people outside of the Legion can read it and become aware of the work that the Legion does. Some of the statistics of the June 2015 and December 2015 editions are: 340 people have read the magazines, 2 024

As mentioned this edition once again is filled with interesting and inspiring stories. A highlight is certainly the participation by the Pietermaritzburg branch in the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg for the first time and winning a Silver Medal for their stand. Great work and well done. Then there is the Churchill Award to the Royal British Legion South African branch that comprise member of the South African Legion United Kingdom and Europe branch. Last but not least is the inspiring welfare stories of the Soweto and the United Kingdom and Europe branches. Well done fellows. There must be many more such stories out there. Bottom line is that if you do not submit them I cannot publish them.

With the approval of the National President a special SPRINGBOK–DELVILLE WOOD EDITION was compiled during July and August 2016 and hopefully ready for electronically distribution by the end of August 2016. Once again the response for stories and photos of Delville Wood centenary commemoration services held across South Africa was tremendous. It was another bumper edition. Unfortunately due to additional costs it will not be mailed.

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 85TH NATIONAL CONGRESS: 15 OCT 2016.

Congress was held at Rosedale, Rosebank, Cape Town with 28 attending. The venue was well prepared and the food fantastic, well done Cape Town team. Clr Joy McCarthy representing the Premier of the Western Cape and the Executive Mayor of Cape Town opened congress after a moving Act of Homage in the gardens of Rosedale.

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2

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The question of the SA Legion withdrawing our membership of the CMVO was also withdrawn, in order to discuss further and provide feedback – Motion 9.

For the centenary of RCEL in 2021, a committee under the chairmanship of Lgr Godfrey Giles, together with Lgr Brian Klopper, Lgr Steve Heiberg and Lgr David Holmes of Cape Town was approved – Motion 10.

Wreath laying, Rosedale, Cape

The relocation of NHQ for Ditsong Museum to Dan Pienaar House was approved – Motion 11.

The Medal Project would carry on, except that applicants would be requested to pay a donation The NE met first to discuss the agenda and go for costs incurred – Motion 13. Refer to article just through all the motions. Due to the National Secbelow. retary not being well the congress pack of nearly Lgr Godfrey Giles was re-elected as National 150 pages, typed and complied by the National President, was sent out late. It was thus felt that President for another (his final) term of office. Our branches had not had sufficient time to discuss all new Vice-President is Lgr Brian Klopper from Port Elizabeth. Other National Portfolio Chairpersons the motions so many were withdrawn. were elected as follows: The biggest issue raised was that of NHQ fiNational Treasurer - Lgr Steve Heiberg nances due to the auditors stating it was technically insolvent. As the audit should in fact be that of the Legion as a whole, a task team has been established to investigate how this consolidation could be done as well as the entire structure of the Legion. This will include the roles and responsibilities of each entity and how they should interact.

Congress approved the appointment of Lgr Steve Heiberg as the new National Treasurer and will head up this task team.

Promotions & Publicity - Lgr Charles Ross.

Relief & Welfare - Lgr Brian Smith.

Membership - Lgr Shadrack Sealome.

Gender - Lgr Mary - Anne Manetjie.

Three new branches were approved, Kagiso, Virtual Branch and the UK & Scotland Region (being England, Scotland and Europe) – Motion 1.

The new South African Legion Poppy Logo was unanimously accepted – Motion 2. The Poppy 100th anniversary awareness and fundraising campaign, for Lgr Johann Kruger to place a poppy on the top of Kilimanjaro in 2018, was approved – Motion 8.

The proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bye-Laws were also withdrawn as they had not been previously circulated in time – Motions 5,

L to R: Lgr Rick Andries, Lgr Johann Kruger, Lgr Godfrey Giles awarding Johann a Certificate of Appreciation.

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2

Page 4 cess with medals being sent all over the world to many grateful recipients who had been waiting for their medals for decades. Due to this success many veterans started requesting if they could make application for their own medals. This led to many veterans making contact with the SANDF for their medals and the queries were taking a lot of time due to having to answer similar questions etc. To this end the Legion devised a quick process of how the applications could be handled which was approved by the SANDF as it assisted them in the process.

One of the new posters used by the Legion during Poppy Day collections

This has now become a lot of administration for the Legion for a process that is free of charge to anyone going direct to the SANDF. The Legion is there to assist those in need and we will attend to anyone that cannot help themselves to obtain their medals that are due to them. However, those that could go direct but find the administration service of the Legion is more convenient are requested to assist the Legion by paying a voluntary administration donation up front of R100 for doing the application of a medal/s per person and R50 for the collection of medal/s.

The reason for this application voluntary adminThe following received special awards: istration donation is as follows – the time one of • Honorary Vice-President - Lgr Peter Swindell. the Legion staff take to answer phone calls and emails about the possible applications and the • Distinguished Service Lgr Quentin Gibson qualifications and rules for each medal applica(Chairman Pietermaritzburg Branch).

• Certificate of Appreciation - Lgr Johann Kruger tion. Then the mailing of the application forms and receiving them back. Then the checking of (Durban).

As our National Secretary, Lgr Marietta Venter the forms and all corrections that have to be done is retiring the Assistant National Secretary, Lgr Riana Venter van Zyl was welcomed and wished well when she takes over.

The 86th National Congress in September 2018 will be held in Kwazulu-Natal.

MEDAL PROJECT. The South African Legion of Military Veterans on enquiring about a members medals established that there were a number of medals ready for collection however the recipient could not be found. The Legion took on the role of finding as many recipients as possible. This was a huge suc-

NHQ assisting at 61 Mech Medal Parade.

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before the submission of the applications. All applications are then manually taken to Pretoria and handed in personally so that the applications are not lost. The Legion then notifies the applicant that the application has been personally made.

The reason for this delivery voluntary administration donation is as follows – the time one of the Legion staff take to receive the notification that the medal/s are ready for collection. Then to notify the applicant and arrange the personal collection of the medals from Pretoria. The medals are checked against the applications and obtaining any reasons for non-delivery etc. The medals are then brought back to the Legion and safely locked away awaiting collection by the recipient or delivery thereof. The recipient is then contacted to arrange collection or delivery of the medals. Any direct costs of delivery are for the account of the recipient.

It is important to note that this voluntary administration donation is only for the convenience of A poem on the Poppy by the 1st Shankill Somme the Legion doing the administration on your beAssociation half. Anyone can apply free of charge directly to the SANDF. By using this service you are allowing the Legion to assist those that cannot assist them- early January. selves.

The matters to be considered by the team include inter alia the following, namely NATIONAL PORTFOLIO REPORTS TREASUERER’S REPORT

•

The structure of the organisation

• memberships/capitation fees Treasurers report for telethon on Thursday 17 • head office function and the financing thereof November 2016 by Steve Heiberg.

• budgeting of head office Task Team. The task team currently consists of Johan Kruger (Durban), Waldie Bartie (Port • “consolidation of financial statements of all branches”.

Elizabeth) and myself (Cape Town & National • The process and timelines.

Treasurer). I am still awaiting a reply from Marina National Headquarters books of account and at Wits Central. The other suggested candidates namely the representatives from Bloemfontein and annual financial statements. I have spent quite from the Strand have declined due to work com- some time analysing the books of account and, mitments. I would also like to co-opt Dave Fran- although, they are in a better state than they were two years ago when I was in Johannesburg there cis on an ad hoc basis. are still several problem areas, namely RCEL I have yet to have any communication with the grants. The recording and payment of grants is members as I believe that the current books of acnot being done as required. There is a separate count need to be finalised before we start our debank account for grants and the balance in that liberation. I plan to commence our business in account should at all times reflect the monies due

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 to grantees. This is not the case at present. Godfrey Giles has spent hours trying to sort out the “mess” and he has to be thanked for sacrificing his time and expertise on a task which has nothing to do with his portfolio.

Branch Accounts. There are balance in the books which relate to transactions with branches. I have checked the transactions relating to my branch i.e. Cape Town and I have noticed that deposits are made into the National Headquarters account that relate to Cape Town transactions. I surmise that these transactions relate to membership fees paid to National Headquarter for branch subscriptions. These monies need to be paid to the branches.

Page 6 nesburg for a week from 20 November 2016. My intention is to do the following: •

Meet with the auditors.

•

Meet with Godfrey to assess the RCEL grants.

•

Meet with Denise to evaluate the current state of affairs

•

Meet and work with Riana and her staff in order to consider where improvements can be made to the systems.

•

Look at the membership system. It is clumsy and it is important that there is only once source of the origination of memberships i.e. branch or National Headquarters..

•

Prepare a budget for 2018

•

Make some headway into the “war graves fund” monies situation.

Virtual branch. All branch fees are paid to Na• Investigate why we have not received our VATtional Headquarters account. None of these fees refunds for a considerable period. have attracted capitation fees. These calculations • Meet/communicate with the investment portfolio need to be done and the amounts transferred to consultant. income.

• Investigate outstanding subscriptions.

Old Balances. There are several old balance • Investigate outstanding financial statements that go back as far as March 2012. I am sure that from the branch. these balance can be cleared.

• Any other matters that may arise.

My aim is to have the financial statements signed by the auditors by 28 February 2017. My aim is to produce monthly management accounts but I do not believe that it is necessary to provide monthly accounts to the EXCO. I believe quarterly acI will be going to Johancounts are adequate.

Books of Account. I have asked Denise to get the books processed until 30 September 2016 by next week. It is my understanding that she has done this already bar a few adjustments.

General Comments.

I do, however, beg your indulgence on the current set of management accounts. I will hopefully have something by the end of December.

Public Relations Portfolio

The best way to promote the Legion remains attendance at memorial services in large numbers. Members of the Legion participating in the London march past

The Facebook Page of the Legion remains the most active social media platform and whiles not everyone on the Facebook Book group is a member of the Legion, it is still a very active page with membership having surpassed the 5 000 mark recently. Only a very small num-

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 ber of postings have been reported where Administrators had to intervene and either remove the posting or address those participating in the discussions. Important and relevant information continuous to be posted on the page.

Page 7 DURBAN

The TWITTER account remains very active as well with regular postings of events that were attended by or where the Legion was involved.

Posting of the SPRINGBOK on the ISSUU website has made the publication available to not just the members of the Legion that can now read it on line, but also to interested persons around the Globe. The June 2016 edition has been red by xx people in yy countries and the Special Delville Wood Centenary edition by qq people in ww countries.

The new Legion Website is up and running and while there is still some work to be done it continuous to be visited and a number of people have completed the on-line application form to join the Legion.

BRANCH NEWS. CAPE TOWN For a number of years Cape Town Branch has handed parcels to 2 Military Hospital for distribution to patients who will be spending Christmas 2016 in hospital. The 2016 parcels were prepared

by Jenny Jewell, Chairperson of the Woman’s Association.

Lgr Peter Napier, Chairperson Cape Town Branch with Col Bux, OC 2 Mil Hospital

The Durban Branch making use of Legion banners during the Annual Remembrance Day Service in Durban

The SA Legion Durban & Districts Club The AGM of the Club was held on Saturday, 27 August with 18 members present. The office bearers remain unchanged for their third and final term of office. The Club offers members an opportunity to socialise on a regular basis, meeting at 10:00 on the 4th Saturday every month at the NMR Regimental HQ, opposite the Durban Country Club/Moses Mabida Stadium. The next meetings will take place there on Saturdays 24 September and 22 October. Do join us if possible.

They have several events in the planning, the first of which being a ‘Tribute to Elvis’ (Taking Care of the Legends) at 19:00 on Saturday, October 1 st at NMR. Cost: R 80.00. Please support them. Further details from Lgr Maureen Joubert on 073 057 2414.

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The Club is expanding, with branches being established in the Midlands (Colenso) and Zululand (Eshowe). For further details kindly contact the Club Chairman, Lgr Steve Leahy by phone after hours on 083 303 8233 or by e-mail at leahys@absamail.com.

AmaShovaShova Cycle Race On Sunday, 16 October and the Durban branch Legion manned a watering table at Umlaas Road, near the chicken farms during the AmaShovaShova Cycle Race.

Veterans Day Durban On Veterans Day, 06 November 2016 members of the branch placed Poppies on the graves of veterans in the various cemeteries in and around Durban. 12 Glenwood High School boys helped the SA Legion place over 500 poppies on the graves of the war dead buried in Stellawood Cemetery. For the boys it was both a moving and learning experience.

“Elvis” Entertainment Members of the South African Legion Durban and District Club as well as Elvis fans enjoyed a tribute to show to Elvis and other music legends at the Natal Mounted Rifles on Saturday, 01 October 2016.

New members that were inducted during the Annual General Meeting of the Port Elizabeth branch.

The Chairman gave a short and instructive talk on the "Poetry of disaffection and disillusion: the Somme". He chose two poems, one from Wilfred Owen and the other from Charles Sorley. Wilfred Owen was killed in action on 4th November 1918 and was an MC recipient at the time of his death.

Sorley was born in Cambridge and spent most of his youth at Caius College, where his father was a senior lecturer. He fell a year later, at the Battle of Loos. The Chairman chose to comment briefly on Wilfred Owen's sonnet "Anthem for Doomed Youth" and Charles Sorley's sonnet entitled "To Germany". His talk was a brief critical appreciation of the 2 sonnets. In so doing, he concentrated on form and figurative language, like metaphor, simile, personification, anthropomorphism, hyperbole, alliteration and assonance.

The audience enjoyed music from legends such as Elvis, Neil Diamond, Chuck Berry, Roy Oberson, Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra and many more. Andrea Giglio, who has been singing most Grave Side Run of his life was the entertainer.

PORT ELIZABETH General Meeting The General Meeting on the 21st August was attended by some 33 members. Four new Legionnaires were inducted, Lgrs Christo Papenfus, Clinton Rieder, Andre van Niekerk and Amaro Tavares. The meeting also took its leave of Lgr E Joubert who had recently resigned from the EXCO. The Chairman presented him with a Beer Mug in appreciation for his service to the Branch.

The Branch's annual visit to all the cemeteries in Port Elizabeth, took place on Sunday the 6th November. At this event every military grave in the many cemeteries in Port Elizabeth are visited and a Poppy affixed the headstone. This event needs many hands but regrettably there were fewer hands this year than last year. This makes life difficult for those who do participate. Hopefully in 2017 we will have more hands – this is not an event limited to Legion Members only, the MOTH have always been involved and we as brother organisations needs to come together for this event

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to pay homage to those who have paid the su- charge. The funds raised during this event are preme sacrifice. The Branch Executive sincerely what keeps the Branch solvent but also goes tothank those members and MOTHS who did assist. wards the annual donations we make to deserving causes. I have already written to the City Fathers and asked them to allocate either the 4th or the Annual Legion Tin Shake 11th November 2017 to the Branch – I await their The Annual Poppy Day collection took place on reply. I cannot give you any indication at this Saturday, 5th November 2017. The initial results stage of what the final count will be as we still are somewhat down on last year, probably due to have to pick-up tins from various schools and 2 reasons, firstly the economic situation the man churches. in the street finds him or herself in had a marked effect on the monies put into tins; secondly, as PIETERMARITZBURG A very successful golf day was held by the Piewith the Grave Visits, this event also need many hands to make a significant impact. What is dis- termaritzburg branch. turbing is that many of our members, who have indicated “Fundraising” did not participate. This is the ONLY income the Branch enjoys, we do not add an amount to the Capitation nor the regalia we sell, what we are charged is what we in turn

Prize giving after the Pietermaritzburg branch annual golf day.

Another of the new Legion posters used during the Poppy Day collections.

PRETORIA Over the period under review the branch has kept the flag flying in the Capital by attending numerous services and commemoration services.

With not having a place of its own meetings alternated between the MOTHWA Haven in Eloffsdal and the MOTH’s Evenden House in Lyttelton.

Sadly with some 60 members on the books attendance of branch meetings remains rather disappointing.

Due to various reasons the branch has not yet been able to hold an annual Poppy Day Collection, however it did provide Poppies to various organisations and collected some funds. For the first time Poppies and a collection tin were provided to the South African National Defence College.

In addition a number of individuals and smaller organisations collected Poppies from the branch.

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 OVERSEAS STRUCTURES During the recent past there have been some changes to the overseas structures of the South African Legion of Military Veterans. The main change is the separation of committees of The Royal British Legion – South African Branch and the South African Legion United Kingdom and Europe branches, England, Europe and Scotland.

Royal British Legion – South African Branch Chairman of the Royal British legion – South African Branch is Peter Dickens with Russel Mattuschek as Vice Chairman and David Watt as Secretary.

Other office bearers include Stuart Robertson as Membership Secretary, Paul Gladwin as temporary Treasurer, Graeme Scott as Standard Bearer, Karen Dickens as Poppy Appeal Coordinator and Theo Fernandes as Welfare Officer.

South African Legion United Kingdom and Europe Region Cameron Kinnear is now the Regional Chairman assisted by James Dow as the regional Membership Secretary, Paul Gladwin as temporary Regional Treasurer and Cameron Kinnear as Regional Information Technology. The Legion branches in England, Europe and Scotland reports to the Regional Chairman who then reports to the National Headquarters in South Africa.

South African Legion England Branch Branch President is Peter Dickens with Claudio Christie as the Branch Chairman, David Watt as Branch Secretary, Peter Gilliatt as Standard Bearer and committee members Theo Fernandes (medals) and Stuart Robertson (insignia).

South African Legion Europe Andrew Bergman is the Branch Chairman. Legionnaires in the Republic of Ireland, United Arab Emirates and Canada currently fall under this branch.

South African Legion Scotland Cary Hendricks is the Branch Chairman. Legionnaires in Northern Ireland currently fall under this branch.

United Kingdom and Europe Branch Medal Ceremony.

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Members

of the England branch following the medal parade.

Legionnaire Claudio Chisté, newly elected Chairman of the South African Legion England Branch pined the two campaign medals on Tim Smart after 33 years of waiting. The ceremony was held on the parade ground of the Famous Royal Chelsea Hospital, home of the Chelsea Pensioners.

DELVILLE WOOD CENTENARY COMMEMORATIVE TOUR 2016 The following e-mail was received following the distribution of the electronic copy of the Delville Wood Centenary edition of SPRINGBOK: “Thank you very much Charles, sincere congratulations to you & contributors for a great Compendium & Memento!!

Super to see the familiar names of Fellow Travelers on a truly memorable Pilgrimage - Greetings to You All!! Despite the initial disappointments & some really odd protocol lapses, it was very well organised & informative by Battletour & Kevin & Godfrey deployed some tactically successful plans B. I certainly would like to linkup with Battletour again if ever Lotto smiles! Regret my mobile went on blink shortly after return & am still trying to have data recovered. There are a few photos I would like to have contributed, particularly of our group on the last evening ceremony at Menin Gate & the Sappers, & Last Post at the youngest SA grave. Besides the above, my personal pilgrimage also achieved in finally discovering my Uncle's grave. He was in 2 SAI, walking wounded out of Delville Wood, KIA 25/12/1916 at Arras.

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 Dave Temple, I trust you had a relaxing onward trip to family in UK, Kevin all well in Turkey, & George with more war stories still to tell? Very best wishes Folks, & thanks again for the great company! Bryan Dore.”

61 MECH BATTALION MEDAL PARADE Members of National Headquarters rendered assistance to 61 Mech Battalion’s medal parade

Page 11 service was well attended. Wreaths were laid by veteran organisations.

CAPE TOWN Battle of El Alamein The annual Battle of El Alamein commemoration service took place on October 2016 and was once again very well attended by various veterans’ organisations.

Remembrance Day Service A very well attended Remembrance Day Service was held in Cape Town on Sunday 13 November 2016. In attendance was representatives

Standard bearers ready to march onto the parade during the 61 Mech Medal Parade.

held at the Ditsong National Museum for Military History.

COMMEMORATIONS BENONI Remembrance Day Service Legionnaire Dave Francis represented the South African Legion at the Annual Remembrance Day Service in Benoni held at the local MOTH Shellhole on Sunday 13 November 2016. The

Legionnaire Dave Francis represented the Legion at the East Rand Benoni Remembrance Day Service.

Standard bearers marching to the Remembrance Day Service in Cape Town.

of the four Services, the City of Cape Town and numerous veteran organisations.

DURBAN Glenwood High School Legionnaire Rick Andries had the honour of laying a South African Legion wreath during the Remembrance Day Service held at Glenwood High School today - Thursday 10th November 2016.

During World War 1, in 1915 South Africa sent one brigade of Infantry to support the Allied war effort on the Western Front. The 1st South African Infantry Brigade. In 1915, there were only 120 boys at Glenwood High School of which (from the Class of 1914 and earlier) twenty five exGlenwood pupils lost their lives as part of this Battalion. Of those killed, four were killed during the Battle of Delville Wood, in The Somme region of France.

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Legionnaire Rick Andries laying a wreath during the Remembrance Day Service at Glenwood High School.

In 1939, at the start of World War II there were 490 pupils in the school and during the six years of war, 457 Old Boys served in East Africa, the Western Desert and Italy. Of these, 109 were in the South African or Royal Airforce. Out of the 457 who served, 120 old-boys lost their lives during this war.

There is a very poignant picture of the school's 1st Rugby Team of 1935 where at least 15 of the 18 boys in the photograph volunteered for service in the war and six of those in the photograph were killed.

These included Roy Gibson, son of Durban’s Lady in White (Perla Siedle Gibson) and Clement (Neville) McGarr, who was one of the prisoners of war to escape from Stalag Luft III as part of the "Great Escape".

Remembrance Day Barry Varty represented the Comrades Mara-

Barry Varty, Comrades Marathon Association, with Durban Branch members at the Remembrance Day Service in

Chief SA Air Force laying a wreath during the Durban Remembrance Day Service

thon Association at the Remembrance Day Service in Durban, honouring the fallen soldiers of the First World War. The Comrades Marathon originated as an act of remembrance for those Comrades who did not return from the war of 19141918, commemorating Vic Clapham.

EAST LONDON Remembrance Day East London

The Mayor of East London taking the salute during the Remembrance Day Service.

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 The annual Remembrance Day Service was held in East London in almost gale force winds and we who were the Banner Bearers had a challenging time. The Acting Buffalo City Metro Mayor Ncedo Kumbaca took the March-past salute supported by Maj Pat Stephenson of the BVR and as a mark of respect for a WW2 POW survivor 95 year old WO1 Butler van der Vyver, was given the privilege to be part of the saluting group. Rev Des Plint gave a very interesting address which in the main dealt exclusively with the Battle of the Somme. The Buffalo Volunteer Rifles provided the sentries but due to the fact the whole regiment was at present deployed, no troops were on parade except for the SA Legion and Moth members.

JOHANNESBURG Sidi Rezegh Dickie Fritz National President of the South African Legion, Lgr. Godfrey Giles and Lgr. Demetri Friend from the SA Legion NHQ, attend the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH) Dickie Fritz Shellhole's annual Sidi Rezegh remembrance parade, held last weekend in Johannesburg, Godfrey Giles had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of The South African Legion. Sidi Rezegh was an engagement fought during Operation Crusader in the North African Desert during WW2.

Rommel attacked Sidi Rezegh with 21st Panzer and captured the airfield located there.

Fighting was desperate and gallant, the fighting at

Lgr Demetri Friend and National President Godfrey Giles marching to the Sidi Rezegh service at the Dickie Fritz

Page 13 Sidi Rezegh continued through 22 November 1941, with South African Division’s 5th Brigade by that time engaged to the south of the airfield. An attempt to recapture it failed and the Axis counteroffensive began to gain momentum.

The most memorable action during the North African campaign of the 3rd Field Regiment, (Transvaal Horse Artillery) was during the battle of Sidi Rezegh on 23 November 1941. The South Africans were surrounded on all sides by German armour and artillery, subjected to a continuous barrage. They tried to take cover in shallow slit trenches. In many places the South African soldiers could only dig down to around 9 inches [23 cm] deep due to the solid limestone underneath their positions. The Transvaal Horse Artillery engaged German tanks from the 15th and 21st Panzer divisions, the gunners firing over open sights as they were overrun. This continued until many of the officers were dead and the gunners had run out of ammunition.

Many of the gun crews were captured. As darkness fell, those that could escaped back to Allied lines under cover of darkness. The artillerymen of the 3rd Field Regiment managed to save 5 of their 24 guns from the battlefield. They later recovered a further 7 guns. After the battle of Sidi Rezegh, Acting Lieutenant General Sir Charles Willoughby Moke Norrie stated that the South African’s “sacrifice resulted in the turning point of the battle, giving the Allies the upper hand in North Africa at that time.

Remembrance service to honour fallen soldiers: A special service of remembrance was held at the St Boniface Anglican Church on 13 November 2016 Soldiers will be remembered.

The “We Will Remember Them” annual service of remembrance was held on 13 November 2016 at the St Boniface Anglican Church, situated at 133 Meyer Street, Germiston CBD, at 6pm.

This year the service especially remembered the centenary of the First World War Battle of Delville Wood, in which 2 373 South Africans were killed, wounded or missing in action and after which the suburb Delville is named.

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 The augmented parish choir led the music, with the Last Post and Reveille being sounded by a trumpeter of the SANDF National Ceremonial Guard while piper played the lament.

Poppies were available and the collection held in aid of the South African Legion.

National Civic Remembrance Sunday Service The annual service hosted by the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Clr Herman Mashaba, was once again well attended by over 2,500 people. 14 countries were represented by High Commissioners, Ambassadors and Military AttachĂŠs. Over 70 wreaths were laid by members of the SANDF, Veteran Organisations, Youth and Civic groupings. The March past considered of over 600 members of various groupings with 18 standards on parade. A ceremonial company of SANDF troops attended the church service. NHQ

Page 14 are the main organisers of this service on behalf of the City. Peter James-Smith once again broadcast the service via SAFm radio as has been done each year.

KIMBERLEY National Remembrance Day The Annual Remembrance Day Service was held at the Cenotaph in Kimberley on Sunday 13 November 2016. The Kimberley Regiment provided the Guard of Honour, accompanied by the

Attendees

Standard bearers during the Remembrance Day Service

National President, Lgr Godfrey Giles, laying a wreath during the Remembrance Day Service in Johannesburg.

at the Kimberley Remembrance Day Service

Pipes and Drums of the Regiment. A number of wreaths were laid by veteran organisations. Following the service guests enjoyed refreshments at the Regimental Headquarters.

PIETERMARITZBURG Italian Prisoners of War Memorial Service Members of the Pietermaritzburg branch of the South African Legion attended the annual Italian Prisoners of War memorial Service at the Italian

Pietermaritzburg branch members during the Italian Prisoners of War memorial service.

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 church that was built by the Italian Prisoners of War in Pietermaritzburg.

Maritzburg College Remembrance Day Service The annual Maritzburg College Remembrance Day Service was held at the school on Friday 11 November 2016. Members of the Pietermaritzburg branch of the South African Legion attended and laid a wreath.

Remembrance Day Service

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Led by the members of the local City Council the Annual Remembrance Day Service took place at the weeping cross in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday 13 November 2016. Members of the South African Legion participated in the service and a wreath was laid.

PORT ELIZABETH Battle of Britain Service

The service took place at St Paul's Church, Parson's Hill, Port Elizabeth on Sunday the 11th September. The Legion was once again well represented. This year commemorated the 75 anniversary of the Battle of Britain to remember the words of Winston Churchill, "Never, in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few."

The Battle of Square Hill Parade.

The Battle of Square Hill Remembrance Parade took place at the Garden of Remembrance, Aloe White Ensign Shellhole on Sunday 18th September 2016. 28 Veterans were mustered on parade under the command of the new Sergeant Major, Lgr J S B Smit.

The Guest-of-Honour was Brigadier General M Kinghorn (SA Army Ret) SD SM, former OC Special Forces Brigade. His address reminded us of the then and now military situations. After the Act of Remembrance, Last Post and Lament, wreaths were laid in the Garden of Remembrance by veterans of many Veterans Organisations.

The Service was concluded by a tribute to the Late Lgr Neels Engelbrecht by Lt Col Daryl Burman (Ret) MMM JCD, and excerpt of his tribute appears elsewhere in this Newsletter. The proceedings were brought to closure by the Blessing pronounced by the Legion Padre, the Rev Mark Barth of St Paul's Church.

A fine spread and thirst quenchers were the order of the day in the Dug-out, where harmony and

Veterans on parade during the Battle of Square Hill service in Port Elizabeth.

Veterans on parade at the Remembrance Day Service in Port Elizabeth.

Attendees leaving the Pietermaritzburg City Hall to attend the wreath laying ceremony during the Remembrance Day

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comradery presided over the “troops” and visitors.

Remembrance Day The Port Elizabeth branch was once again well represented at the Annual Remembrance Day Service held at the Cenotaph in Port Elizabeth.

Wreaths were laid by numerous veterans’ organisations.

Jewish Ex-service League Remembrance Service The last event of this Remembrance period took place on Sunday, 20th November at the Glendinningvale Synagogue.

the world’s oldest memorial to the Katyn Massacre, in which 22 000 Polish prisoners-of-war were shot by the Soviet NKVD secret police. It is a stark monument, shaped like a cross but also a tombstone.

Present was Bryan Jones, the last survivor of the men who flew to Warsaw.

Chairman of the Warsaw Flights Commemoration Committee Andrzej Romanowicz opened the ceremony and after a minute of silence to remember those who had passed away, mentioned that 2016 was a year of friendship between Poland and Hungary and welcomed the Hungarians who were taking part for the first time.

Hungary was a member of the Axis, but it was not at war with Poland, so Hungarian troops refused to take part in crushing the uprising, saving thousands of Polish and Jewish lives.

Pastor Robin Petersen, who led the ecumenical service, listed the toll of the Uprising: 13 000 Jewish victims of the Warsaw ghetto uprising of 1943; 16 000 members of the Polish Home Army killed during the Warsaw Uprising and more than 200 000 civilians in the city who died, most executed by the Nazis. In a humane gesture, he pointed out that some 8 000 young German army conscripts also paid the ultimate price in this conflict.

Allied air forces, including the Royal Air Force (RAF), the Free Polish Air Force and eventually, the US Army Air Force, tried to assist the desperate Poles.

The SAAF’s 2 Wing, comprising 31 and 34 Heavy Bomber Squadrons, were based in Foggia

PRETORIA Warsaw Flight Commemoration 03 September 2016 by Lgr Chris Szabo.

The South African Air Force (SAAF), Polish community organisations, international military attaches and veterans groups paid tribute to the SAAF airmen who were lost in its most costly operation, the Warsaw Airlift, aimed at assisting the Polish Home Army in their struggle for independence in 1944.

The annual memorial service, held at the James and Ethel Grey Park in Johannesburg, has

Lgr Chris Szabo receives his wreath during the Warsaw Flight Commemoration Service.

Led by the National Vice President Lgr Brian Klopper members’ places a Purple Poppy on the Horse Memorial in

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The Warsaw Flight Commemoration Service.

in south-eastern Italy and had been bombing targets in northern Italy, the Mediterranean and Central Europe. Using B-24 Liberator aircraft, they had to make the 11-to-12-hour night flights covering 3 500 kilometres for the round trip to Warsaw.

This was because the Soviets did not allow them to land in areas occupied by their troops. Soviet leader Josef Stalin did not want a democratic government in Warsaw, referring to the Polish government-in-exile in Britain in a letter to Churchill as “a handful of evildoers”. Not surprisingly, assistance to the Allied effort was not forthcoming.

Once the planes had crossed the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia, braving local and German anti-aircraft fire and German night fighters, they had to climb over the Carpathian Mountains to reach Warsaw, then descend to a height of 500 feet and lower their speed to about 140 knots to drop the supply canisters, making them easy targets for German anti-aircraft guns.

Not surprisingly, losses were high. The British and Commonwealth forces launched some 191 sorties to Warsaw and lost 31 heavy bombers.

The SAAF sent 41 sorties and lost 11 Liberators.

The South African variant of the Liberator had a crew of eight, unlike its US counterpart, with 10 crew members. Statistics show that the SAAF bombers were the most successful in delivering their aid to the resistance.

Polish Ambassador to South Africa Anna Raduchowska-Brochwicz said the Katyn monument is symbolic for all Poles. This occasion confirmed a very strong and deep friendship between the

Page 17 Polish and South African people.

The traditional fly-past, carried out at low altitude in remembrance of the flights, was traditionally done by a C-130BZ of 28 Squadron, but on this occasion a lone Harvard did the honours.

An interesting and little-known aspect of PolishSouth African relations was revealed when keynote speaker Philip Weyers of the SAAF Association and Andrzej Romanowicz told the tragic story of 1.7 million Polish men, women and children who were deported to concentration camps in Siberia by the Soviets in 1939 and 1940 after their joint invasion of Poland with Nazi Germany.

Later, when Germany invaded the USSR, in terms of the Sikorski-Majski Agreement of 1941, these unfortunates would be sent as refugees to places including Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, India, Mexico, British East Africa, Northern Rhodesia and South Africa. Tragically, due to conditions in the cattle trucks and the Gulag camps, 700 000 had died by this time.

Five hundred Polish children were brought to Oudtshoorn by Prime Minister Jan Smuts. Mr Romanowicz, who had the opportunity of knowing a number of these children, shared a light-hearted anecdote “They were coming from Siberia where there was almost nothing to eat, and they were not so fat. So when they arrived in Oudtshoorn, they followed what they had been doing in Siberia.

In other words, during the night they would go to steal all kind of groceries and apples to eat, and they were not fat. Till eventually a delegation of

A lone Harvard aircraft did a fly past during the Warsaw Flight Commemoration Service.

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South African farmers arrived and said: ‘How Legionnaires Bazil Kriel and Charles Ross repmuch do you children want? We will bring it. Don’t resented the South African Legion at the Annual risk your lives climbing those fences!’”

Armistice Day Service in the Commonwealth War The Warsaw Flights Memorial remembers a Graves plot of the Thaba Tshwane New Military nearly-forgotten episode of South African skill and Cemetery in Thaba Tshwane on Friday 11 Nobravery and it is to be hoped that this sad but up- vember 2016. It is annually organized by the lifting memorial service will receive more support South African Defence Force Association. from the SANDF and the public.

Alpine 44 Remembrance Service.

The annual Alpine 44 Remembrance Service was held at the South African Air Force Memorial on Sunday 16 October 2016. The service is held annually to commemorate the loss of eight aircraft during World War Two in which cc South Africans were killed.

Attendees at the Alpine 44 Memorial Service.

Armistice Day Service.

Remembrance Day Service at the Union Buildings, Pretoria

Zonderwater Italian Prisoners of War Association Memorial Service The Zonderwater Cemetery in the Zonderwater Correctional Facility was once again the venue of the Annual Zonderwater Prisoners of War Memorial Service on Sunday 06 November 2016. This year the service was somewhat unique as the cemetery now housed the remains of 55 Italian Prisoners of War that were reinterred in the cemetery having been moved from the cemetery at Worcester.

Legionnaire Charles Ross laid a wreath on behalf of the South African Legion.

Remembrance Day Service.

Under the statue of the Late Nelson Mandela the Annual Remembrance Day Service took place on the lower terrace of the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday 13 November 2016. In attendance were a number of Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Military Advisers, Military Attaches and veteran’s organisations.

Red Cross Children's hospital The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, a living memorial to World War Two South African Servicemen held a special Remembrance Day Service at the hospital on Friday 11 November 2016. It was the 60th commemoration of the hospital.

UNITED KINGDOM LONDON Remembrance Day Service Once again the South African Legion was well represented at the annual Remembrance Day Service in London on Sunday 13 November 2016.

A large group of Legionnaires formed part of the veterans marching columns.

St George’s Square, Scotland Members of the Scotland branch of South African Legion attended the annual Remembrance Service in St George’s square on 13 November

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Page 19 ty of the water supply as supplied by the Municipality. Due to the ongoing theft of fitting and of water on the supply line to the cemetery and the Municipalities lack of interest in controlling this the agency staff have to be closely involved to ensure that the water supply is not interrupted.

At the Palmietkuil South War Cemetery and Memorial near Springs water tanks and a pressure pump system were installed and a fence was erected around these to ensure the security of this installation.

Members of the Legion Branch in Scotland at the St George’s Square Memorial, Glasgow in Scotland.

2016.

Carabiniers/Boer War Remembrance Day It is now an annual institution for the members of the South African Legion England Branch to participate in the Carabiniers/Boer War Remembrance Day service on the first Sunday in December of every year in central London. This Boer War parade with the South African Legion and the Royal Scots Dragoons is hosted by the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

The day consisted of a short remembrance service on the embankment, followed by an optional attendance of the service in the prestigious chapel, and then a curry lunch, a small raffle and socializing with the Chelsea Pensioners, Royal Scots Dragoons Guards and fellow legionnaires.

The refurbishment of the Thaba Tshwane New Military Cemetery has been completed. As the Department of Public Works is no longer maintaining the Thaba Tshwane Old No 1 and 2 Cemeteries, the South African Agency is attending to the maintenance of these cemeteries.

In Namibia the first Visitors Information Panels have been erected in the cemeteries in Aus, Gibeon Station, Karibib, Swakopmund, Warmbad, Windhoek Batch six of the “In From The Cold Project” (Editor: More about this project in the June 2017 edition) casualties has been received and submitted to the Department of Military Veterans in the past quarter and a reply was received from Military Veterans confirming the casualties’ status, this has been forwarded to the commemorations department. Additional confirmation has been received for some other In “From the Cold” casualties however their grave sites still need to be con-

REPORT FROM THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION At Dido Valley in the Western Cape a significant setback was experienced at the location of the new staff facility / store room and in the cemetery as some unknown criminal elements had raided the cemetery grounds and has stolen all of the exterior metal and copper fittings from the water supply and the irrigation system. The necessary actions to have this repaired have been started.

The Potchefstroom military site in the Northwest Province is still being closely monitored during this period, due to the concern relating to the continui-

Newly erected Visitors Information Panel in the Warmbad Cemetery in Namibia..

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 firmed.

The South African Agency of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has now assumed responsibility of the Commonwealth War graves in Swaziland.

OTHER STORIES A Message from Frederick Forsyth CBE London, October 26, 2016 On the 1st July 1916, just over one hundred years ago, one of the bloodiest battles in human history began. The Battle of the Somme finally ceased on 18th November 1916, leaving in its wake more than a MILLION men wounded and dead.

Frederick Forsyth CBE and best-selling author, with literature sales in excess of 70 million worldwide, has written this short letter with the coming of perhaps the most poignant Remembrance Day in a century.

A Place to Shrivel the Soul Years ago, making a TV documentary, I went with a film crew to the killing fields of Flanders to see the places where the young male generation of much of the Western world gave their lives in World War One. The images still scar the memory. We saw Thiepval, Tyne Cot, and the Menin Gate. We stood in silence, too overcome to film, and stared at the fields of small white markers where those boys lay, rank on rank, row on row, and the words of the dying Scott of the Antarctic flashed before me. 'My God, this is an awful place.'

At the amphitheater of the Tyne Cot cemetery we gazed at the walls where the names of tens of thousands who died nearby are etched, and the even more

Page 20 inscriptions 'Known only to God' tell of young men never even identified; blown to pieces, drowned in mud. There is a field no more than a football pitch where the entire young manhood of Newfoundland died in a single morning. They came out of their trenches and tried to charge the hundred yards through knee deep mud into machine-gun fire. Not a dozen made it to the enemy trenches and even they died trying to return. They came from their homes to give their lives for King and Country. It is a place where no birds sing, nor have for a hundred years.

This year we commemorated the biggest slaughter of them all - July 1st, 1916 - the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Sixty thousand young men dead or maimed before midday, and before it ended in November 1916 a million gone, all nationalities.

To honour them I wrote a poem, Fallen Soldier, now put to music and sung by operatic soprano Melissa. Here it is.

Frederick Forsyth THE POEM...

FALLEN SOLDIER Sleep in peace, Fallen Soldier, where your kinsfolk here have laid you.

While we who are left tread so soft up above You are home from the fight, from the clamour, from the danger.

Laid in the breast of the land that you love‌ We should have told you more how deeply we loved you, We knew not how short was the while To kiss and to hold, to cherish your presence The sound of your laughter the sun of your smile.

When you first marched to the colours you were young and oh so handsome.

You pulled on your badge standing straight, standing tall.

And you gave to us your promise your sworn word of honour.

And in your last moment‌ You gave us your all.

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 So sleep Fallen Soldier, here in your Homeland Wrapped in our flag until when On some far distant morn you'll hear His last reveille Then you and your comrades… Will march once again.

Air Defence Artillery History The history of South African Air Defence Artillery is presently being written. War-time history (1939-1946) is available in war diaries.

The problem is post-war history, i.e. from 1946.

Available records, including annual history returns are dry and dusty but some progress has been made. To add a more personal touch to the story of anti-aircraft artillery, individuals who served at any time in Permanent/Regular Force or the National Service/Citizen/Reserve Force in the last fifty years are asked to submit stories to the author – stories that are humorous, sad, strange, funny; personnel stories of the bush war – stories that can make one laugh and can make one cry.

They are not needed immediately – but certainly within the next three to four months. Please sit down and think about it; put pen to paper (or type or email), add to it slowly, put it together and send your notes by email to Lionel Crook at resfcape@mweb.co.za or to P. O. Box 30636, Tokai, 7966, with your name, address, telephone number and the regiment/battery in which you served. You will be doing the whole Air Defence Corps a great favour.

United States Last Post If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which The Last Post was played; this brings out a new meaning of it. Here is something everyone should know. Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true: We have all heard the haunting song, 'The Last Post.' It's the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the American Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harri-

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United States Naval bugler from the nineteenth

son's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son.

The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.

This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as 'The Last Post' used at military funerals was born.

I too have felt the chills while listening to 'The Last Post' but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before. Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

British Last Post The "First Post" call signals the start of the duty officer's inspection of a British Army camp's sentry posts, sounding a call at each one. The "Last Post" call originally signalled merely that the final sentry post had been inspected, and the camp was secure for the night.[4] In addition to its normal garrison use, the Last Post call had another func-

A Royal Marine drummer.

Page 22 tion at the close of a day of battle. It signalled to those who were still out and wounded or separated that the fighting was done, and to follow the sound of the call to find safety and rest.

Its use in Remembrance Day ceremonies in Commonwealth nations has two generally unexpressed purposes: the first is an implied summoning of the spirits of the Fallen to the cenotaph, the second is to symbolically end the day, so that the period of silence before the Rouse is blown becomes in effect a ritualised night vigil. The Last Post as played at the end of inspection typically lasted for about 45 seconds; when played ceremonially with notes held for longer, pauses extended, and the expression mournful, typical duration could be 75 seconds or more.[5] This custom dates from the 17th century or earlier. It originated with British troops stationed in the Netherlands, where it drew on an older Dutch custom, called taptoe, from which comes the term Tattoo as in Military tattoo. The taptoe was also used to signal the end of the day, but originated from a signal that beer taps had to be shut, hence that the day had ended. It comes from the Dutch phrase Doe den tap toe, meaning "Close the tap".

The Dutch bugle call Taptoesignaal, now used for remembrance events, is not the same tune as the Last Post.

The "Last Post" was used by British forces in North America in colonial times, but was replaced by the different "Taps" by the United States Army, first used in 1862 and officially recognized in 1874.

Commemorating the Attack by the First South African Infantry Brigade on the Butte De Warlencourt October 1916 by Lgr Allan Sinclear.

The Battle of Delville Wood is often recognised as South Africa’s only part in the British Offensive on the Somme in 1916. Not many people are aware that the 1st South African Infantry Brigade also took part in another action in October 1916 during the final phase of that offensive. The attack on the Butte de Warlencourt saw in excess of a thousand casualties suffered by the Brigade.

After recovering from Delville Wood and being

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Warlencourt memorial.

reinforced by new drafts, the 1st South African Brigade, still under the command of the 9th Scottish Division, moved back to the Somme area of operations in early October 1916. There the 9th Division once again came under the command of the British 4th Army which was readying itself for another attack on the German line. Their objective was the Butte de Warlencourt, a prehistoric burial mound located adjacent to the old Roman road which extended from Albert to Bapaume. The Butte stood several hundred feet higher than the surrounding countryside and had become a position of great strength along the German main line which cut the Albert – Bapaume Road beyond Le Sars. Two German trenches, known as the Snag and the Tail, were situated in front of the main line approximately 100 yards (91,44m) from the British line.

The British attack beginning on 9 October was carried out in heavy rain which turned the battle field and trenches into a quagmire. It was remembered by most who fought there as one of the most exhausting and dismal periods of the war on the Western Front.

The South African Brigade went into action on 12 October. Altogether 1 150 South African casualties were suffered during the following eight days. In many ways this unsuccessful action was more reflective of the fighting on the Somme Offensive than the heroic stand at Delville Wood.

The attacks on the Snag and Tail Trenches faltered time after time under heavy fire from German machine guns which had been placed well

Page 23 back in prepared positions. The thick mud played havoc with their weapons and in many trenches the wounded had to be dug out of the mud before they suffocated to death. Each stretcher required eight men to carry it while battalion runners found that they could not make it through the mud in quick time.

The remnants of the South African Brigade were withdrawn on the night of 20 and 21 October and ordered back to High Wood. This ended the South African contribution to one of the most dismal episodes of the Offensive on the Somme.

Several more attacks were made by other British units after the South African withdrawal, but the position remained in German hands and was not captured on any occasion, although elements of the British 50th Division did reach it for a brief period on 5 November. The Germans only relinquished their hold when they withdrew to the Hindenburg Line in April 1917.

Delville Wood Museum Lgr. Peter Dickens, President of the South African Legion - England Branch, had the privilege of handing over a South African Legion Shield to Thapedi Masanbo, the Director of the South African Memorial and Museum at Delville Wood in France. Thapedi is a long time friend of the Legion as our relationship with the memorial in France has grown from strength to strength. The shield will have a special place in the museum as we continue to maintain our association and support of this most prestigious memorial to South African sacrifice. The shield was handed to Thapedi at the

Lgr Peter Dickens handing over a Legion shield to Mr Thapedi Masanbo, Director of the Delville Wood

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memorial on the 18 November 2016 on the same day the 100 year centenary of the end of the Battle of the Somme was marked.

If Nelson was Around Today. Origin of this is unknown as it was received without any acknowledgements.

Nelson: "Order the signal, Hardy."

Hardy: "Aye, aye sir."

Nelson: "Hold on, this isn't what I dictated to Flags. What's the meaning of this?"

Hardy: "Sorry sir?"

Nelson (reading aloud): "England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability.

'What gobbledygook is this for God's sake?"

Hardy: "Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil's own job getting 'England' past the censors, lest it be considered racist."

Nelson: "Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco."

Hardy: "Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments."

Nelson: "In that case, break open the rum ration.

Let us splice the main brace to steel the men before battle."

Hardy: "The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. It's part of the Government's policy on binge drinking."

Nelson: "Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we'd better get on with it, full speed ahead."

Hardy: "I think you'll find that there's a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water. It's an environment protection initiative."

Nelson: "Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow's nest, please."

Hardy: "That won't be possible, sir."

Nelson: "What?"

Hardy: "Health and Safety have closed the crow's nest, Sir. No harness; and they said that rope ladders don't meet regulations.

Admiral Nelson.

They won't let anyone up there until proper scaffolding can be erected."

Nelson: "Then get me the ship's carpenter without delay, Hardy."

Hardy: "He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck Admiral."

Nelson: "Wheelchair access? I've never heard anything so absurd."

Hardy: "Anti-discrimination requirements, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently abled....."

Nelson: "Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn't rise to the rank of Admiral by playing the disability card."

Hardy: "Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under-represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency."

Nelson: "Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons."

Hardy: "A couple of problems there too, sir.

Health and safety won't let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don't want anyone breathing in too much salt; haven't you seen the adverts?"

Nelson: "I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy."

Hardy: "The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral."

Nelson: "What? This is mutiny!"

Hardy: "It's not that, sir. It's just that they're afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There are a couple of legal-aid law-

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Admiral Nelson’s famous signal

yers on board, watching everyone like hawks."

Nelson: "Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?"

Hardy: "Actually, sir, we're not."

Nelson: "We're not?"

Hardy: "No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn't even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation."

Nelson: "But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil."

Hardy: "I wouldn't let the ship's diversity coordinator hear you saying that sir. You'll be up on disciplinary report."

Nelson: "You must consider every man an enemy who speaks ill of your King."

Hardy: "Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest; it's the rules. It could save your life."

Nelson: "Don't tell me - health and safety again!

Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?"

Hardy: ""As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu!

And there's a ban on corporal punishment."

Nelson: "What about sodomy?"

Hardy: "I believe that is now legal, sir."

Nelson: "In that case. kiss me, Hardy."

Page 25 South Africa would be in a state of civil war the entire period. Attempts to hush up the role of saboteurs – the Ossewa Brandwag (Greyshirts) – have been most successful in the decades following the war, as have the numerous internment camps throughout the country for those of German descent from not just SA, but from the surrounding countries as well. The active German sympathisers among the Afrikaner nation, foremost of whom was Robey Leibbrandt, played a small role in sabotaging strategic installations, mostly electric pylons, railway culverts and the like. Still, it was enough for SA to mobilise what could well be called a Home Guard.

At Andalusia (now Jan Kempdorp) the largest British Naval base outside England was situated and remained under British control until 1958, the last British naval officer leaving in 1961. The reasons for this base were twofold – one, it could not be reached by enemy bombers, and two, it was easily accessible by rail to all coasts in SA, making it easy to resupply any allied ships.

By June 1941 Kimberley had a major role in the training of bomber pilots, navigators and bomb aimers – the 21 Air Flying school at Alexanders-

Today in Kimberley’s History by Steve Lundersteadt 14 November One must remember that all South Africans who fought in WW 2 for the Allies were volunteers – there were no conscripts, and like WW 1, the war would split the Afrikaner nation in two and Major

Edwin Swales VC

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 fontein/Diskobolos/Airport being one of the biggest – if not the biggest – bomber training school in the British Empire. Apart from the Air School having 101 Squadron, there were also 70 Technical Training School and 72 Basic Training school based in town. Later 121 and 131 Squadrons were in Kimberley, these being Oxfords, mostly used as bomber reconnaissance planes. Naturally, being a bomber pilot school there were several types of bombers on hand for training.

Perhaps it may be right to mention here that the most famous pilot to come out of 21 Air Flying School was one Edwin Swales, destined to win the VC. He also played rugby for GW at the time.

In the West End cemetery lie the mortal remains of dozens who died in flying training accidents, including the full crew of a bomber that crashed just outside of town, plus many accidents that claimed both the lives of the trainee as well as the experienced pilot. The RAF badge on the headstones stands out. Likewise, the bravado of a pilot who attempted to fly under the old wagon bridge at Barkly West and failed, is no longer remembered, nor is the pilot who succeeded. The pilot who crashed was never found despite intensive searches.

The Mint – the munitions factory started by George Labram during the siege – employed many of those disadvantaged by their colour, and they pushed out countless millions of shells, bullets, and for some time, barrels of guns. An amazing fact is that at its peak of production the Mint put out some 20 million bullet components per month for the .303 round. Women too, are not for-

One of the Commonwealth War graves plots in the West End Cemetery

Page 26 gotten, as hundreds rallied to the call and volunteered for service so that able-bodied men could be released to go to the front. Not just as nurses, but as mechanics, pilots, drivers and numerous other positions of authority and responsibility.

They were generally known by their acronyms of WRENS, WAAS, or WAAFs. Traffic wardens were introduced to Kimberley in 1940 – all women, and all under supervision of Mrs Dot Stonier.

Doreen Harris (WAAS), aged 40 years is buried in West End. So too, are several women who served the allied cause with distinction.

Who knows that Bridget Oppenheimer (nee McCall) was serving with the SA forces when she met her husband-to-be, Harry, on Robben Island?

Her job included being a petrol jockey at the filling station! Another major link to Kimberley, and who died recently, was Diana Barnato Walker, the grand-daughter of Barney Barnato. She served in the RAF and was a skilled pilot on all types of aircraft, although she preferred the Spitfire. She came under fire on numerous occasions from antiaircraft fire as well as the Luftwaffe when delivering planes to the European frontline.

And we must not forget the silent majority of women, those who knitted gloves, pullovers, wrote letters, served tea and cake at depots and railway station stopovers, made up gift parcels, donated money to various funds, and generally did so many thankless tasks in Kimberley and the rest of the country. In England, Poppy Day is remembered by all in memory of those who died not only in WW 1 but also WW 2. Here in Kimberley we have all but forgotten the sacrifices made by Kimberley men and women in both world wars that enabled us to live in comparative freedom. To recap the words of Rudyard Kipling – the freedom that comes unsoiled to your hands, read revere and uncover here lie those who died for their city, being sons of the land. If it were not for them, there is little chance that we would be here today.

Naval Heritage Trust: Day by Day SA Naval History: Chris Bennett.

Glen Knox.

12 September: 1942 - The British Troopship Laconia (Capt R

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2

U boats with the survivors of the Troopship Laconia.

Sharp) en route from Suez to the United Kingdom via Mombassa, Durban and Cape Town is sailing independently northwards in the South Atlantic.

She is carrying a total of 2,732 people (463 Officers and Crew, 286 military passengers from the Navy, Army and Air Force, 1,800 Italian Prisoners of War guarded by 103 Polish soldiers plus 80 civilians, including women and children). Of this total only 1,111 (574 British, 450 POWs, 73 Poles) eventually survive the incident.

Shortly after sunset in position 04°54’ S 11° 45’ W (North east of Ascension Island) she is hit in the starboard side by two torpedoes fired in quick succession by the U156 (Korvettenkapitän Werner Hartenstein). Laconia rolls over and sinks within an hour. Many of the Italian POWs die directly as a result of either the explosions or whilst trying to break out of the holds where they have been imprisoned. Many of the life boats are also damaged or destroyed in the explosions. A large percentage of those who survive the torpedoing therefore find themselves in the water rather than in life boats or on life rafts.

When Hartenstein begins to appreciate both the enormity of the tragedy he has caused and the fact that many of the survivors in the water are Italian POWs, one of Germany’s allies, he initiates a process of trying to help all the survivors whether ally or enemy. This is an impossible task for a submarine and he signals his Headquarters in Paris for help and advice. With about 200 survivors onboard his U-boat he realises he is helpless against any attack and sends an open signal in English stating that he has sunk the Laconia, giving the position and undertakes to not attack any

Page 27 ship coming to the rescue as long as he himself is not attacked.

Admiral Dönitz at U-boat Headquarters in Paris, against the wishes of Adolph Hitler, instructs two other U-boats en route to the South Atlantic, U506 (Korvettenkapitän Würdemann) and U507 (Korvettenkapitän Schacht) to go to the assistance of U156. The Italian Navy is asked to send their submarine, Cappellini (Lt. Cdr Marco Revedin) to assist. The neutral French are requested to send surface vessels from their base at Dakar to recover the survivors, and in due course the cruiser Gloire (Lt Cdr Graziani) plus two sloops Dumont-d’ Urville (Cdr Madelin) and Annamite (Lt Cdr Quémard) are dispatched for this task.

1944 - After the fall of Marseilles HMSAS Gamtoos (Lt Cdr H H Biermann) anchors off the port on the evening of 3 September as she has been assigned the task of clearing the inner entrance of the main harbour completely blocked by the wreck of the merchant vessel Cap Corse. It is decided not to waste time in attempting to salvage this wreck intact, but to cut away the stern as far as the mainmast. Then on the 7th a 300-pound (±135 kg) demolition charge is detonated under her counter. Although this detonation sets off a mine on her port side, it fortunately does not result in any casualties, but blows a gap wide enough for small minesweepers to enter and begin sweeping for the numerous obstruction mines that lay within. As there are also mines in the outer harbour, Gamtoos herself runs a considerable risk and therefore anchors to seaward at the end of her day’s work awaiting their clearance. During the next few days, with lifting-craft removing the detached fragments and the divers hard at work

Troopship Laconia.

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 placing more charges, the gap is increased sufficiently for light-draught vessels, including LCT’s laden with stores, to use it, and on the 12th Gamtoos herself enters and berths inside - the first ship of her size to do so, as at Tripoli. For the work involved in opening Marseilles Lt Cdr Biermann is awarded the OBE and two of the ship’s company, Lt K B Yuill and ERA1 A S Bethal are mentioned in dispatches.

The Rhodesian 1/16 October 2016: Looking Back: The Weeping Cross from Delville Wood In the MOTH Garden of Remembrance in Pietermaritzburg there is a cross fashioned from the remains of a tree that was recovered from Delville Wood after the battle in July 1916. What makes this cross unusual is that it ‘cries tears’ (resin) every year around the anniversary of the battle in which almost 2 300 South Africans and Rhodesians lost their lives.

This year is the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, initiated by the allies on 1 July 1916. As part of the onslaught against the German forces, the South African Brigade was to capture, occupy

Rhodesian Standard at the Thiepval Service in July 2015.

Page 28 and hold a wooded area near the French village of Longueval.

The 3rd South African Infantry (Transvaal and Rhodesia) Regiment (3 SAI) was the first to lead the attack into Delville Wood on 15 July 1916 in the ongoing action in the Somme. Heavy fighting ensued and German guns bombarded from three sides as they had been ordered to enter before the perimeter had been cleared. Orders from the British were to hold the wood “at all cost”. Looking for casualties after Battle for Delville Wood and it became a death trap. On the fourth day a bombardment of unprecedented fury was unleashed on Delville Wood. Wounded men filled the trenches and they could not be removed as all the stretcher bearers in 3 SAI were casualties.

The 73rd Division relieved the 1st Brigade late on 20 July. Thackeray, commander of the 3rd Regiment, withdrew from the wood with two wounded officers and the 140 men that could still stand. 190 had been captured or were missing and their total casualties were 771. Casualties for the brigade were recorded to be 2,815 — made up of 502 killed, 1,735 wounded, and 578 missing.

Only 29 officers and 751 other ranks were present at roll call when the unit was gathered some days after the battle. Sadly, the contribution from most of the Rhodesians on the Western Front had ended by 19th July 1916.

On 18 July Mike Russell planted a cross at the Delville Wood memorial service in Pretoria, in memory of the Rhodesians who fought and died alongside their South African comrades. Major Donald (Hobo) Hobson (Ret) wrote the following: "I attended the Centenary commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood in which Rhodesians fought with the 3rd South African Infantry Regiment of the SA Brigade. I laid the wreath at Theipval Memorial on Sunday 10 July, together with Iain Dunn (ex-Falcon College and Mudziwa Mine between Shamva and the Umfurudizi ). Iain carried the Rhodesian Army Association Standard.

"In the [attached] photo you can see the Rhodesian Standard next to my right elbow! Unfortunately I did not have the names of the Rhodesians

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2

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who were killed at Delville Wood, but I have subsequently seen at least 36 names who are on the Theipval Memorial which has the names of over 72000 whose remains were never found from the Battle of the Somme. I wore my Royal Rhodesia Regiment beret as many of the Rhodesians who did serve at Delville Wood were Rhodesia Regiment members. I served in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8 Bns before signing up as a Regular."

Currently there are approximately 71 000 military veterans’ within the DMV database, coming from both Statutory and Non Statutiory Forces.

Meanwhile the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, addressing the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and the Select Committee of Public Accounts (SCOPA) on the 16th December, also expressed the need for finalisation of the database to ensure a seamless delivery of benefits.

Prioritizing the creation of a credible database Enquires: Mr Mbulelo Musi Spokesperson for to accelerate delivery of benefits. 17 Novem- the Department Tell: 012 765 9313 / Cell: 082 338 ber 2016 3890 The newly appointed Acting Director General of the Department of Military Veterans’ (DMV) Mr. A Little Unknown South African Navy History Max Ozinsky, has said that the Department is to by Lgr Peter Dickens give top priority attention to the speedy creation of Here's a little bit of relatively unknown South a credible and reliable database of Military veter- African Navy history. Did you know that the colosan’s. This is to ensure that bonafide military veter- sal USS Nimitz nuclear aircraft carrier was harans and their dependants are provided with the assed by the South African Navy using two small benefits and services outlined in the Military Veter- strike-craft in January 1980? ans Act 18 of 2011, in an effective and efficient This remarkable photograph was taken from a manner to eliminate corruption.

South African Strike-craft “up close and personal” "The database of military veterans is very im- with the American super carrier off South Africa’s portant in ensuring that the Department delivers coastline - two South African strike craft maneuthe right benefit at the right time, the right place vered right in the middle of the USS flotilla - so and to the right military veterans’ and/or their de- much so the USS Nimitz’s escorts the USS Texas pendants. There has been a major challenge fac- and USS Carolina, both nuclear powered cruisers, ing the DMV since its establishment five years had to alter course to avoid collision. This action ago. If this matter is not resolved as a matter of caused a massive diplomatic fury between the urgency it will inevitably lead to corruption and de- USA and South Africa, as much to the embarrasslay the speedy roll out of the much needed bene- ment of the US Navy, the South African Navy fits to the military veterans’ community and their strike-craft had sailed unchallenged right through dependants." said the Acting Director General. the flotilla’s security screen into lethal strike range "We have created a Task Team composed of of pride of the US Navy. senior managers within the Department, which will drive the database process working closely with the military veterans ‘umbrella association SANMVA, and other military veterans associations. We will also be investigating the possibility of working closely with the relevant law enforcement agencies, to advice where there are cases of fraud in our database." further said the Acting Director-General.

The Aircraft Carrier, USS NIMITZ.

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 Diplomatic demands for an answer fell on deaf ears within the South African Navy strike-craft circles as it simply reinforced their legacy as an elitist naval force and in fact another reason to hold up their heads in pride. To them the purpose of their action was to gather intelligence (remember South Africa was internationally “isolated” by this time), and a good job was done.

Because of the political and diplomatic fallout, the strike-craft Commanders of P1561 and P1565 were called onto the “carpet,” by the top Navy brass but rumour has it that they were then promptly taken out to lunch.

The USS Nimitz was rounding South Africa on its way to Iran to take part in Operation Eagle Claw (Operation Evening Light) - which was a failed United States Armed Forces operation ordered by US President Jimmy Carter to attempt to end the Iran hostage crisis by rescuing 52 embassy staff held captive at the Embassy of the United States, Tehran on 24 April 1980. Its failure, and the humiliating public debacle that ensued, damaged US prestige worldwide.

Valhalla Public Library Pretoria The display case is used to promote the library and showcase our books. We generally do War display in November aimed to honour those who paid the supreme sacrifice.

The Exhibition “Planes, Tanks & People”, with emphasis on Poppy Day. We changed the cupboard after Remembrance Sunday, to include the framed commemorative envelope.

The Poppies, Places & Reactions Each poppy was handled with care. People were gently informed.

We feel this exhibition has created a general awareness of Poppy Day and the library in the community and schools.

It has created a space for people to ask questions An exhibitions at the Valhalla Library, Pretoria.

Page 30 on Poppy Day. It has provided answers to the new generation, curious from seeing Poppy Day on social media and wanting to know what it is about.

The old soldiers have remembered and been remembered. Peoples reaction, both verbal and body language is positive.

The poppies were remembered at different places. Respect, thankfulness, awareness, “somebody did that for me”, seen in body language. It is something special, that brought tears to eyes.

Library • An Arsenal Football club supporter was looking for a Poppy for his son. He found one at the Library. His son wore it on Friday, when he wrote an exam and explained to his enquiring friends what his father had told him • A young boy told his mother, at the library he had learnt about it at school.

• I feel it encouraged positive body posture in Military people visiting the library.

• A private collector for her stamps • People have asked for Poppies for their children.

SAAF Museum Fly Day • Proudly worn by Friends, crews, attendees and so on. A legionnaire from the Friends attended a Poppy Basket. One young gentleman was upset that the poppies were given, without a donation. It was kindly explained The Legion has asked that they be given, so that we remember.

• Ground crew - a wife asked her husband, a daughter asked her father. The men gently explained. The ladies proudly wore the poppies Old Age Home Poppies were handed out to the elderly and nurses. A 101 year old, blind lady recited the entire Flanders Field poem.

Local School A teacher gave a speech on Poppy Day at a local school valedictorian evening. Approx. 200 parents, teachers & scholars worn their poppies Thanks Kind thanks to James Boale, Talita Fourie and Carel van Tonder for sourcing display items, Elvis Monene (librarian) for hosting the exhibition and Pumsa Ngubane for cleaning the display case

SA Legion SPRINGBOK 2016/2 Editor. The Pretoria branch has met with Mr James Boale, Heritage Representative, City of Tshwane and discussed ways that the Legion can assist in spreading the message of heritage.

Official March of Royal Marines Commando Thanks, Charles Ross and the South African Legion for this brilliant piece of music. There's a very interesting background to the playing of Sarie Marais. It became the Regimental March of the Royal Marine Commandos. Commandos? Get it?

After the Dunkirk fiasco, Sir Winston Churchill appointed Lt Col Dudley Clark RA to come up with a butcher and bolt type organisation to get behind the German lines. When he presented his report, Churchill asked him what he proposed to call it, and he replied: "The Commandos, Prime Minister". The senior generals preferred 'Special Forces', but Churchill (who was a great admirer of Field Marshal Jan Smuts) preferred the term Commando (after their role in the Anglo-Boer War).

Sarie Marais became the Regimental March and who better to perform it than the Regimental Band of the Royal Marines!

OBITUARIES Legionnaire Neels Engelbrecht Indeed a sad month with the untimely passing away of the “Man of Steel” Neels Engelbrecht.

The “Sergeant Major”, is now on parade in the Paradise. Neels played the final hole of life on the 29th August 2016. Neels was a Gentleman, a Soldier, a Moth and Legionnaire and dedicated to the cause. In his career thousands of national servicemen and volunteers passed through his hands and he made his mark on them all. He was what you would call a soldier's soldier. He was seen by many as a friend, confidant, mentor and counsellor.

He was a hard task master but a gentle and soft man, who was able to command an audience of young people with his knowledge and respect for the SANDF and his country. (Courtesy Provincial Old Bill) Neels was faithful to the cause unto the very end; the absolute professionalism and dedication that Neels personified will serve to make those returning more faithful than before,

Page 31 when we remember him.

Neels loved a story; we recall him fixing you with a steely stare and the words “Picture this scene”. Neels was truly a Prince among his Peers, and it is fitting that we should salute him in picturing the scene where Horatio says farewell to the dead Hamlet “Sleep well sweet Prince and may flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest’’ (Courtesy Lt Col Daryl Berman) Sergeant Major Neels Engelbrecht has answered the Sunset Call. Neels was the doyen of MOTH, SA Legion and SADF Veteran affairs in the Port Elizabeth region. He presided over many a parade, be it Delville Wood, Square Hill, or Armistice Day for 40 years plus. To say that he embodied everything we are and stand for, is to say the least. (Lgr B Klopper Chairman PE Branch SAL) Legionnaire Tony Chemaly It is my sad duty to inform you about the passing to higher service of Lgr. Tony Chemaly, former National President of the South African Legion and former Officer Commanding, First City Regiment, Grahamstown.

Tony passed away this morning, at his home in George. It is no exaggeration to say that a great soul has departed from us. Tony was universally loved and admired by both Legionnaires and former serving members of First City.

Our sincere condolences go to the Chemaly family in this, their hour of irretrievable loss and the sadness that accompanies it.

May his dearly departed soul find eternal rest and solace in the company of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the Saints.

We Will Remember Them.

SA Legion — “Not for ourselves but for others”

South African Legion of Military Veterans Springbok, the Journal of the South African Legion of Military Veterans, ISSN number 2221-9854, is the responsibility of the PR Portfolio. Editing by Lgr Charles Ross. Layout and typesetting by Lgr Godfrey Giles. Body text was set in Arial, 8pt, and headers, Arial Bold 10pt. Printed using Nashua Photocopier, thanks to Nashua Central. National LOTTO Distribution Fund supported.

South African Legion Structure Patron in Chief: President, Hon. Jacob C Zuma

Branches: • •

Past Presidents for Life: • Lgr Rodney W Monthe • Lgr Lawrie F Poorter • Lgr Jurie Van der Merwe • Lgr Chris PC de B Venter

• • • • • •

Honorary Life Vice Presidents: • Lgr Arthur Blake • Lgr Lourens Human • Lgr CJJ Jooste • Lgr Basil Kriel

• • • • • •

Alexandria Attridgeville Brakpan Bedford Bloemfontein Botshabelo Cape Town Central Wits Durban East London England Ennerdale Grahamstown Hermanus Kagiso Kimberley

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

King Williams Town Kroonstad Lower South Coast Pietermaritzburg Port Alfred Port Elizabeth Pretoria Scotland Sedibeng Southern Cape Soweto Stilfontein Strand Stutterheim Springs/Nigel United Kingdom Virtual

National President: Lgr Godfrey J Giles • • National V/President: Lgr Brian Klopper • • National Treasurer: Lgr Steve Heiberg • • National Secretary: Lgr Marrietta Venter National Membership: Lgr Shadrack Sealome National Gender: Lgr M Manetjie National Welfare: Lgr Brian Smith National PR: Lgr Charles Ross South African Legion of Military Veterans PO Box 1936 Regional Chairmen: Houghton • Free State: Lgr Deon Bester 2041 • Eastern Cape: Lgr Brian Klopper Tel: 010 595 4222 or 011 486 4533 • Kwa-Zulu Natal: Lgr Rick Andriés Email: pr@salegion.org