SPRINGBOK

ISSN: 221-9854

FEBRUARY 2019

Members of the Atteridgeville and Pretoria Branches that attended the funeral of the late Legionnaire Abel Sefolosha, Chairman of the Atteridgeville Branch on Saturday 19 January 2019

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INDEX From the Editors Desk

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National Headquarters

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Branch News

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Atteridgeville

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Bloemfontein

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Durban

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Port Elizabeth

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Pretoria

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Commemorations

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The sinking of the Troopship SS Mendi

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Three Ships

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Other Stories

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Gaza War Cemetery

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Kimberley’s Local baker was also a WW1 Flying Ace

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Aftermath of WW1 in Southern Africa

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Veterans Television Channel

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Veterans Snub SS Mendi Heroes

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Lions Return to Menin Gate.

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FROM THE EDITORS DESK. May I appeal to branches who sends me branch Newsletters or post branch Newsletters on their Websites in PDF format to send me the photos separately, please.

For the Legion 2019 started at gallop with a special telephone Congress on 21 January 2019.

More about this under the Headquarters column. On 25 February the Legion celebrated its 98th birthday.

Other branches commemorated the sinking of the SS Mendi, SAS President Kruger and the HMSAS Southern Floe.

More about these commemorations under the heading Commemorations.

As decided at the 86th Congress of the South African Legion in October 2018 this is the first electronic edition of the Springbok. The Legion is certainly entering a new exciting era with the new concept of a bi-monthly edition of the Springbok followed by the only printed edition at the end of December every year.

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS ELECTIONS Lgr Ray Cumming as the Legion’s permanent representative at the Council of Military Veterans (CMVO)

This new venture can only be a success if ALL branches embrace the concept and ensure that reports of events and/or newsletters are sent to the editor in good time to be included. Photos remain the single most important item.

Lgr Shaun Booth as Chairman of the Discipline and Ceremonial Port Folio.

SPECIAL TELEPHONE CONGRESS During a South African Legion special telecom Congress that took place on Monday evening, 21 January 2019, the honour of Past National President for Life was conferred on the previous National President, Legionnaire Godfrey Giles.

It is accepted that will be months where branches experience very little or no activities. But for the months where there are many activities, how insignificant it may be for the branch, the rest of Legion would still like to know about it.

Citation.

We move to confer this honour upon Legionnaire Godfrey Giles, the immediate past National President of the South African Legion.

For 2019 electronic editions will be compiled at the end of February, April, June, August and October with the printed edition at the end of December.

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It is no exaggeration to say that Legionnaire Giles has devoted his life to the SA Legion since 2010. He discharged the office of National President for 8 years (2010 to 2018) and did so with consummate dedication, enthusiasm and minute attention to detail. It is no accident that he was elected unopposed on all 4 occasions.

Legionnaire Giles can also take a good deal of the credit for the good standing of the SA Legion in the RCEL and the high profile that it enjoys within that organisation. He is much respected and greatly admired by the RCEL team at Haig House.

For all of these reasons, we consider it fitting, right and proper to confer the honour of Past National President for Life upon Legionnaire Godfrey Giles.

LGR DEMETRI FRIEND On 31 January 2019 National Headquarters bid farewell to Lgr Demetri Friend. Lgr Friend joined the staff at National Headquarters on 14 January 2013. Lgr Friend played a major role in the Legion’s Medal Project. More than 4 000 outstanding medals were obtained and distributed across the world to the recipients.

Past President for Life, Lgr Godfrey Giles.

The new Members’ Booklet, distributed to all members last year, as well as the new Constitution and By-Laws, adopted at the 2018 National Congress, is concrete evidence of the unstinting industry and generous apportionment of valuable time to the SA Legion by Legionnaire Giles.

These documents will be a lasting tribute to him and form part of a living legacy to the SA Legion.

We wish Lgr Friend well for the future.

Several new Branches mushroomed up thanks to the ongoing personal recruitment of Legionnaire Giles, who did everything that he could do to promote the SA Legion, maintain its relevance in the New South Africa and enhance its public profile.

Lgr Demetri Friend

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BRANCH NEWS

Memorial in Atteridgeville was also discussed. It was agreed to hold a followup meeting at the same venue on Sunday 17 March 2019.

ATTERIDGEVILLE

The branch Chairman, Lgr Abel Sefolosha, was called to higher service on Sunday 13 January 2019. The funeral of the Late Lgr Sefolosha took place on Saturday 19 January in the hall in Atteridgeville.

Members from both Atteridgeville and Pretoria attended the funeral. Both groups participated in the Legion ritual which was led by Lgr Bazil Kriel.

BLOEMFONTEIN

The Secretary-General of the RCE, Chris Warren) visited South Africa at the end of February as part of the preparations for the centenary commemorations in 2021.

During his visit, he visited the Bloemfontein Branch at Springbok Park on 23 February.

Members of the Atteridgeville and Pretoria Branches conducting the Legion ritual.

Branch chairman of the Bloemfontein Branch, Lgr Jurie Van Der Merwe, with the Secretary-General of the RCEL, Chris Warren.

DURBAN Christmas Lunch The SA Legion Durban & Districts Club hosted a great lunch at the Parkhill Bowling Club on Sunday, 9th December. Well done and thank you, Chairman Lgr Skippy and helpers. Those who missed it will have to wait another year to rectify their shortcoming!

Members of the Atteridgeville and Pretoria Branches.

On Sunday 24 February 2019 the Executive Committees from the Atteridgeville and Pretoria Branches met at the MOTH Evenden House in Lyttelton. The meeting centred around how the Pretoria Branch can assist the Atteridgeville Branch in reestablishing the Atteridgeville Branch and the way forward. The upcoming SS Mendi Memorial service at the SS Mendi

Midmar Mile Swimming Competition It has become an annual event for the members of the Durban and Pietermaritzburg Branches of the South African Legion of Military Veterans. This

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DURBAN SOUTH AFRICAN LEGION CLUB

year was thus no exception. This year the Pretoria Branch was represented as well.

The Durban S.A. Legion Club met at the Masonic Lodge in Rossburgh for their monthly meeting this last Saturday 23rd Feb 2019

At the end of the races Lgr Rusty Higgs (Rear Admiral Retired), Pretoria Branch, handed Poppies to the fastest military male swimmer, Charles Beaurian, and the fastest female swimmer, Ingrid Botha.

A great get together for the meeting and a magic braai that followed. The lovely airconditioned hall/bar was a godsend as it was very hot and humid outside.

From the photos, it was another very successful outing for the members of the Legion. Well done fellow Legionnaires.

PORT ELIZABETH General Meeting The 1st General Meeting took place on the 10th February at the PAG Drill Hall in Prospect Street. The attendance was reasonably good but we would really enjoy having some more of the members who we see so seldom, attend the next General Meeting in August as per the Calendar you will have received. After the business section, which we try and keep short, we were entertained by Lgr Jaco Pretorius, an SA Navy Lieutenant in the 1st Marine Brigade of the SAN. The Corps was originally formed in 1951 but seemed to have closed down in 1955. The second marine force was formed in 1979 in order to enable the South African Navy to take a greater part in counterinsurgency operations. A brigade strength unit was envisaged and was designated as 1 Marine Brigade.

The Legion stall at the Midmar Mile swimming competition.

Maritzburg City Marathon On 24 February members of the branch were involved at the annual Maritzburg City Marathon. Members sold “paper plates” which purchasers later placed on the landing zone of the skydivers. The plates on which the skydivers’ lander then received a Sunlife Vitamins hamper.

2018 Grave-side Event.

This event was originally planned for the 4th November 2018 however the inclement weather caused it to be rescheduled to Sunday, 13th January 2019.

Sadly the involvement of the Legionnaires and other veteran organisations was very

Poppies along one of the streets during the Maritzburg City Marathon.

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limited to the point of making the event onerous for the participant because of the large number of military graves that were visited. As veterans organisations whose task is the "Remembrance of the Fallen", we need to pursue this ideal and hopefully, in 2019 there will be bigger and better support including other veteran organisations. Annual General Meeting

On Saturday 19 January members of the branch attended the funeral of the late Lgr Abel Sefalosha in Atteridgeville.

Members of the Executive Committee met with members from the Atteridgeville Branch on Sunday 24 February for a discussion on the way forward for the Atteridgeville Branch.

The Annual General Meeting of the Pretoria Branch is scheduled for Saturday * May at Evenden MOTH House at 14:00.

New members will also be inducted during the meeting.

Annual General Meeting.

This is an early warning of the AGM on the 5th of May, the most important meeting of the year for the Branch. This year will see the "Changing of the Guard" because the current Chairman – now the National President – will be standing down, and so will the Treasurer after some 23 years at the helm of the Branch funds. Please diarise the date which will be reminded through the email.

COMMEMORATIONS SINKING OF THE TROOPSHIP SS MENDI Johannesburg/Soweto.

The annual memorial service took place at the SS Mendi Memorial in the Avalon Cemetery, Soweto, on Saturday 16 February 2019.

PRETORIA The branch has had one meeting while the Executive Committee of the branch met once as well. Priority during both these meetings was the SS Mendi memorial service scheduled for 3 March 2019.

The service was organised by the Soweto Branch of the Legion and was again well attended.

The memorial was recently upgraded.

Members of the Pretoria Branch in attendance at the funeral of the late Lgr Sefalosha.

A group photo of some of the attendees at the SS Mendi service in Soweto.

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Port Alfred.

Always remember: they gave up their tomorrows for your today.

On Sunday 24th February the Port Alfred Branch of the South African Legion remembered the many black's and whites, who died as brothers on the SS Mendi on the 21st February 1917.

Port Elizabeth.

The Branch's annual Mendi/3 Ships Memorial Service took place on Sunday 24th February 2019 at St Paul's Church, Tucker Street.

Canon the Rev Mark Barth navigated the service and gave the address, he took as his theme “to err is human” using the sinking of the SAS President Kruger as the prime example, where an incorrect wheel order resulted in the SAS Tafelberg colliding with the SAS President Kruger, with the resultant loss of life of 16 sailors on the SAS President Kruger. We as human do err and need to recognise we are not always correct.

Whilst there were some 60 to 70 people, 30 were made up of Sea Cadets and for the first time St John Ambulance Cadets and staff – nice to see them here! The veterans seemed a bit thinner on the ground than usual.

The Rev Barth drew attention to the really beautiful flower arrangement representing the three ships, while the Sea Cadets again lit the candles.

Learners from the Port Alfred High School.

Lgr Ann Atteridge-Tyrrell was very honoured to have been asked to lay the wreath for ALL widows and orphans. It was most delightful and appreciated to have learners from Port Alfred High School in attendance. They carry the banner forward to the next generation.

Excellent tea and eats were once again provided by the ladies of the Church.

Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

In the annals of South Africa’s military history, 21 February 1917 is a dark day. It marks the sinking of the troopship SS Mendi after it collided with the SS Daro off the Isle of Wight, with the loss of 616 South African servicemen, 607 of them members of the South African Native Labour Corps: Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho,

They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them...

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Swazi, and Tswana. The names on the SS Mendi Roll of Honour are still reflected in Southern African society.

On Monday 18 February wreaths were laid to commemorate HMSAS Southern Floe and the SAS President Kruger.

Cameron Kinnear, Chair of the UK & Europe Region of the SA Legion pays his respects.

On the 21st, South Africa’s Armed Forces Day, wreaths were laid at Milton Cemetery to commemorate the sinking of the troopship SS Mendi.

Laying of wreaths during the SS Mendi service in Noordwijk.

Today, the anniversary of the SS Mendi disaster is aptly the day on which South Africa remembers all her fallen soldiers and in particular this tragic event. Across the country, parades and ceremonies will be held to commemorate those South Africans who paid the ultimate price in wars across the globe.

Milton Cemetery is the resting place of nine of the dead. A further five are dispersed on the southern coast of the UK, one lies in France and five (or possibly six) in Noordwijk in the Netherlands.

Some of the attendees at the service in Noordwijk.

In a dignified ceremony in Noordwijk in the Netherlands today, these fallen South African servicemen (at least five of whom lie in Noordwijk) were fittingly commemorated.

Standards on parade at the Portsmouth service.

Standards were paraded, commanded by Portsmouth stalwart Chris Purcell. The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Councillor Lee Mason opened the service with a short retelling of the incident and underlined the commitment that the City of Portsmouth has undertaken to commemorate the men of the Mendi.

Portsmouth, United Kingdom.

In a week in which we commemorate South African naval and maritime losses, two events took place in Portsmouth.

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A poem entitled The Sinking of the SS Mendi was read by a cadet from B Company, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Army

iconic part of the city that overlooks the busy harbour of Portsmouth.

The Lord Mayor welcomed the attendees, and then her Excellency Ms Nomatemba Tambo made a short but eloquent speech

The unveiled stone.

Some of the dignitaries that attended the Portsmouth service.

and thanked all for continuing to commemorate and honour the men of the Mendi.

Cadet Force.

The stone was then unveiled. At the request of the High Commissioner, Mayor Mason read the inscription to the assembled guests. The guests then attending an art exhibition at the Portsmouth Cathedral. The exhibition included a painting of the SS Mendi.

The Act of Remembrance was led by Reverend Marcus Collie.

After the Last Post and Reveille, wreaths were laid by a number of attendees.

It was noted that the CWGC had completed work to replace the shared headstones with one headstone per man.

THREE SHIPS MEMORIAL UNITED KINGDOM

SERVICE,

RICHMOND-ON-THAMES – The Annual Three Ships Parade took place in Richmond on 23 February and was followed by a Q1 Branch Meeting and Social.

In the week that the SA Legion UK & Europe pay respects to all Naval and Maritime losses by using the ships SS Mendi, HMSAS Southern Floe and SAS President Kruger as iconic symbols of these losses, a number of events took place culminating in the Three

The newly erected headstones.

After the Milton Ceremony, the focus then moved to The Point in Old Portsmouth, an

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Ships Parade in London. The venue for this service was the Chapel and Cenotaph at Richmond Cemetery.

Wreaths were laid by Johan De Vries, Stuart Roberston, DuToit Verster and Adrian de Villiers.

After the parade, the guests adjourned to the RBL club at Teddington for the England Branch Q1 meeting and a social.

Marching from the Chapel.

The England Team sets the bar for events ever higher with each event, and the welcoming hot drinks and biscuits were most appreciated as were the professionally designed and printed handouts.

A special wreath.

OTHER STORIES GAZA WAR CEMETERY.

Standards being lowered during the sounding of the Last post.

Brian Parry and the Standards were superb in their turnout and drill, and the SA Legion Padre Craig Esterhuizen’s address was, as usual, entertaining and very relevant.

Three poems were read out by Stuart Robertson, Johan De Villiers and Cameron Kinnear for each of the iconic ships.

With the assistance of a contractor, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is currently replacing 220 headstones in the Gaza War Cemetery. There are four World War One and two World War Two South African casualties buried in the cemetery.

The headstone of C22927V Pte J. Spogter of the Cape Corps is being replaced. The

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rest of the South African headstones are in good condition.

May 1918, just days after scoring his second victory, Kiddie’s flight of six SE5As

KIMBERLEY’S LOCAL BAKER WAS ALSO A WW1 FLYING ACE In addition to the famous Capt. Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor VC, DSO, MC & bar, DFC, there were also other significant South African World War 1 flying aces, and this man, who came from Kimberley, Capt.

Andrew Cameron Kiddie DFC is one of them, he was a World War I flying ace and before and after the war he was the local Kimberley baker.

Andrew Cameron “Dixie” Kiddie was born in Kimberley on 7 November 1889, his father being Andrew Cameron Kiddie (Senior), a baker from Dundee, Scotland who came to South Africa in 1885. Kiddie Senior bought the bakery in Kimberley from a Mr Roy in 1895 after having worked there for some 9 years and changed the name to ‘Andrew Kiddie and Sons’.

Capt Andrew Kiddie DFC.

was pounced on by ten Fokker Tri-Planes.

With a badly damaged aircraft, Kiddie was

Having served with the 18th South African Mounted Rifles in 1914/15, Andrew Kiddie went to England to join the Royal Flying Corps. as a 2nd Lieutenant, Kiddie received Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate 3719 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Brooklands on 17 October 1916.

Posted to 32 Squadron in 1917, he scored his first victory flying a DH5. Later that year, he served as an instructor with the Home Establishment. Among his students was a future ace, Ira Jones.

Senior pilots from the 74th Fighter Squadron, March – June 1918.

the only pilot to make it back to the aerodrome.

In the spring of 1918, Kiddie was back in France flying the SE5a with 74 Squadron, the famed “Tigers”. On the morning of 8 12

He went on to become a flight commander in the summer of 1918 and scored thirteen more victories by the end of the war. He

Although his parents and everyone in Kimberley knew him as “Cam”, in the RFC and the RAF he was known as “Dixie”.

Another South African flying ace was to follow Kiddie as a ‘Flying Tiger’ and lead the “Tiger” (74) Squadron during World War 2, that was the famous ‘Sailor Malan’, but that’s another story and ironically he also rests today under a Kimberley sky (see link Sailor Malan – Fighter Ace & Freedom Fighter!). Not only was Sailor Malan the Tiger Squadron's Squadron Leader, but another South African was also destined to lead the 74 Squadron when it entered the jet age – Air Vice-Marshal John Howe (see link Forget Tigers, The Royal Air Force’s 74 Squadron has a legacy of South African Lions! ) As South Africans we have also produced another famous Baker who went on to become a World War 1 aviation hero, he was the originator of Romany Creams, a very well-known South African baked treat.

His too is another fascinating story, for more on Capt. Pyott follow this link Connecting Zeppelins, Marlene Dietrich and South Africa’s favourite biscuit – Romany Creams!

The emblem of the 74th Fighter Squadron.

was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the citation reading: A gallant officer, who has proved himself resolute and courageous in aerial combats.

He has to his credit six enemy machines and one balloon shot down in flames.

Researched by Peter Dickens. Sources include Wikipedia, The Aerodrome, and the Diamond Fields Advertiser. Kimberley Calls and Recalls.

He was also awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre. After the war and his father’s death in 1920, Andrew Cameron “Dixie” Kiddie took over the local bakery in Kimberley.

He died in Kimberley on 27 June 1964 and is buried in the West End Cemetery.

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THE AFTERMATH OF THE 1ST WORLD WAR IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: UNISA 12-13 NOVEMBER 2018 by Anne Samson.

Topics ranged from how World War 1 was a catastrophe (Herbert Behrendt, German Cultural Attache) to local reminiscences by the women of Kroondal (Lize Kriel) and white childhood and racial degeneracy in Southern Rhodesia post-war (Ivo Mhike).

Jacques de Vries explained how the Cape Corps continued to be sidelined and how it was used in World War 2 despite the Corps valuable armed contribution in World War 1. Alex Mouton provided a fascinating insight into the Union Party and how it influenced Louis Botha’s actions, while Evert Kleynhans looked at how South Africa prepared for war in the interwar years and Tilman Dedering considered South Africa’s secret chemical weapons project from 1933 to 1945. My own contribution considered the impact of the war on various African leaders who took (or tried to take) their countries to independence.

What better way to commemorate 100 years of the ending of the Great War than to have a conference – this one focusing on southern Africa in southern Africa. What made this conference ultra special was its diversity. As anticipated most of the speakers would be African and white – encouraging others to research into the war is an ongoing challenge – but the audience was one of, if not, the most diverse I’ve ever encountered concerning World War 1 – and the ensuing discussions around each paper showed an engagement and desire to understand this conflict and its impact on southern Africa for what it was. My thanks to all involved and to our Tanzanian and Zimbabwean colleagues who had to withdraw at the last moment, sorry you couldn’t be with us to share your discoveries on invisible histories in Tanzania and the Askari Beni dance in Malawi respectively.

Balancing the social, military and cultural aspects were some intellectual challenges posed by Gerhard Genis who analysed Mqhayi’s Mendi using epi-poetics (The conceptualisation of epi-poetics is based on the field of epigenetics that indicates that humans are psycho-biologically and inter-generationally linked through their historical environments and experiences.’

– Genis) and Ian van der Waag who looked at the writings of South Africa's First World War involvement – suggesting there's a prescribed cycle of publications by poets, memoirists, writers of fiction and nonfiction, and official histories. Johan Wassermann‘s overview of the South African school curriculum concerning

The conference, opened by Russel Viljoen provided a fitting historical context for southern Africa’s involvement followed by an almost double act by the German Ambassador, Dr Martin Schaefer (he has some interesting posts on Huffington Post), and the British High Commissioner, Nigel Casey. The day before they’d stood together at the Pretoria war memorial paying their respects as did a couple of us (German & South African/British) at the Johannesburg cenotaph.

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VETERANS TELEVISION CHANNEL

World War 1 provided some insight into how flexible teaching could be if teachers were open to using the curriculum as intended.

I came across your Facebook page today and thought of sharing the following link of The Veterans Channel (TVC), which is based in Ontario Canada and TVC is on a mission to Unite Veterans and their families around the world.

As a Sri Lankan Air Force Officer, retired in 2007 as a Wing Commander now living in Ottawa Canada, I thought South African military officers and men and veterans should be a big part of The Veterans Channel, which offers many features such as veterans' stories and documentaries, interviews, transition back to civilian life, veterans retreats, addressing PTSD, The veterans channel Market, Job site etc.

There will be many more new features which will be introduced into this site very soon. Please, also check out on the Facebook page of The Veterans Channel.

For something a little different, Neil Parsons took us on a whirlwind tour through films of South Africa between 1910 and 1920 n terms of racial representation, and Stefan Manz kept us occupied during breaks with his poster exhibition ‘Behind the Wire: The internment of “enemy aliens” in the British Empire’ and its relevance to all peoples who find themselves interned for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Wide-ranging in its focus, the conference provided insight into the interest and reach of the war. With more opportunities to share these ‘minor' interests, we can only enrich our knowledge of the war and its lasting impact. Hopefully, with publication in due course, others will be encouraged to engage with the war and provide an even greater breadth of understanding. And, give a platform for objective discourse which can only bring people together in countries still divided by their past. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the German Embassy Pretoria, these initial steps were possible.

www.veteranstelevision.com It would be greatly appreciated if you could share this on your Facebook page to invite members of South African Legion to link up with veterans across the world. I am also a proud member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 641 in Ottawa.

Thank you Best regards Lalith Samarawickrama Wing Commander (Retd) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

My thanks to fellow organisers, Surya Chetty, Tilman Dedering and Stefan Manz, additional session chair Nick Southey, all the speakers and attendees for making the event what it was.

VETERANS SNUB SS MENDI HEROES – SUNDAY TIMES 17 FEBRUARY 2019

By Bobby Jordan More than 600 mainly black South African soldiers died in a World War 1 shipping 15

accident but the department of military veterans says it will no longer honour them because they were involved in an "imperial" war.

South African National Defence Force, but it has now been labelled politically incorrect.

Department spokesperson Mbulelo Musi said it had decided to support only "unified" ceremonies that did not involve formations rooted in the imperial and apartheid past, such as the Gunners Association.

The department has previously supported annual Gunners Association commemoration ceremonies at the SS Mendi memorial in Cape Town. But no more. "We can't be encouraging an approach that says we still belong to an imperial past," said department spokesperson Mbulelo Musi.

'Wars of colonialism' "Now in a democratic dispensation, we can't be encouraging an approach that says we still belong to an imperial past," he said.

"It cannot be, for it defeats the purpose of what our democratic government stands for, which is reconciliation, social cohesion and nation building." Musi said both world wars were "wars of colonialism" that had little to do with SA's democratic freedom.

"Colonialism was by nature divisive — it is the opposite of what we stand for as South Africans post-'94," Musi said. "We must, therefore, be very sensitive to these matters." Musi said the department would take part in Armed Forces Day on Thursday "in the spirit of trying to say we are all together. It is unfortunate that people move outside the efforts of the nation."

Kevin Ashton, the chair of the Gunners Association, said the decision — which means there will be no formal military presence at Sunday's memorial — was an insult to the descendants of the 646 Mendi dead, Page 6 MILITARY SNUBS MENDI'S TROOPS By Bobby Jordan

FALLEN

The department of military veterans has withdrawn support for an "imperial" commemoration of a World War 1 shipping disaster in which 646 mainly black South Africans died. The department said this week it would not take part in the annual commemoration of the SS Mendi sinking.

Kevin Ashton, chairman of the Gunners Association Western Cape branch, said the decision was an unfortunate break from tradition and an insult to the families of the deceased.

The annual ceremony, organised by the Gunners Association, is due to take place on Sunday at the SS Mendi memorial in Cape Town, just three days after President Cyril Ramaphosa visits the same site for a separate Armed Forces Day ceremony.

A department staffer informed him of the decision in a phone call two weeks ago. "He said the DMV will not support colonial memorials. I said, 'what are you talking about?'," Ashton said, adding that the Mendi commemoration was a deeply

The Gunners Association event has previously enjoyed support from the department of military veterans and the 16

symbolic event. He said the department also withdrew support for.last year's Cape Town commemoration of the 1916 Battle of Delville Wood, in which about 2,500 South Africans died in France during World War 1.

So is it the department's position that they deserve to be honoured?

Of course. They were called upon at the time and they responded accordingly, on behalf of the country.

Has the department changed its tune?

No military bands

The department's position has never been different from what I'm saying.

A retired senior military officer this week described the department's decision as "abominable and a disgrace". He said: "This means no military band or guards, in fact, no formal military presence at a memorial for South Africans who died on service in the war."

Why did the spokesperson for the department say it would not take part in the commemoration?

But Musi insisted the department's intention was not to dishonour victims but to avoid "reopening old wounds".

We need to find out exactly what he said and what the circumstances were. Only then can we respond to what you're saying. I need to engage him, which I intend to do.

SUNDAY TIMES ARTICLE: 24 FEB 2019 Q&A WITH DEPT OF MILITARY VETERANS' DG DERRICK MGWEBI By Chris Barron

Is it for the department to decide who deserves to be commemorated and who does not?

The department of military veterans said last week it would not support today's commemoration of the sinking of the SS Mendi because of its imperial connotations. Chris Barron asked acting director-general General Derrick Mgwebi...

It is not us who determine who gets commemorated and who does not get commemorated. It's got nothing to do with politics, but it's got everything to do with events which took place at a particular time under particular conditions which government has seen fit to acknowledge and recognise, and has directed that those days and events will be commemorated.

That has been decided. It's not for us to decide again, or reconsider it.

Will the department be taking part in the commemoration of the sinking of the SS Mendi?

We were there yesterday when the parade was officiated by the president.

Does the spokesperson not reflect the department's official views?

You're talking about Armed Forces Day? Yes, which happens also to be part of acknowledging and recognising the role and sacrifices of the SS Mendi soldiers who perished in the English Channel.

Well, he does. But what he said is not the position of the department.

Well, he does. But what he said is not the position of the department.

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How can there be such a disjuncture between what the spokesperson says and what you say is the department's position?

who still have particular political inclinations. Government policy speaks to social cohesion, unity and nation-building.

Things that are not in line with this need to be addressed.

I am in Cape Town, he is in Gauteng. So I need to get all the facts to be able to do something about what you are telling me now.

THE LIONS RETURN TO MENIN GATE by Lgr Andrew Bergman.

The new lions were a gift from the Australian Government, with the originals given to the Australian Government by the city of Ieper in 1936 as an expression of gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice made by more than 13,000 Australian soldiers in Belgium. The originals are now at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, following some restoration work, for all Australians and visitors to see. I was privileged to represent the South African Legion at the unveiling and to lay a wreath at the Last Post ceremony afterwards.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Mendi memorial needs to be expanded. Is this the position of the department?

The president has spoken, and he is our patron in chief and our commander in chief. Supporting him is our obligation.

What is the department's position on those killed in World War 1 and World War 2?

Those who died in the name of the country need to be honoured and commemorated so that we don't forget and don't repeat the mistakes of the past.

The spokesperson says they should not be commemorated because those wars belong to an imperial and colonial past.

I need to understand where he is coming from with that kind of attitude if he said this.

The Menin Gate with the new lions in place.

Are you concerned that the department is too politicised?

It wouldn't be correct to say the department, but there might be individuals

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SOUTH AFRICAN LEGION Springbok, the Journal of the South African Legion of Military Veterans, ISSN number 2221-9854, is the responsibility of the Communication Portfolio. Editing by Lgr Charles Ross. Body text was set in Calibri 12 and headers, Calibri 12 pt. Printed using Nashua Photocopier, thanks to Nashua Central. National LOTTO Distribution Fund supported.

SA LEGION STRUCTURE Patron in Chief: President, Hon.Cyril Ramaphosa Past Presidents for Life: • Lgr Lawrie Poorter • Lgr Jurie Van der Merwe • Lgr Chris PC de B Venter • Lgr Godfrey Giles Honorary Life Vice Presidents: • Lgr Arthur Blake • Lgr CJJ Jooste • Lgr Bazil Kriel • Lgr Rick Andriès • Lgr Quentin Gibson National President: Lgr Brian Klopper National V/President: Lgr Brian Smith National Treasurer: Lgr (Me) Marina Seabrook National Secretary: Lgr Riana Venter van Zyl National Liaison/Membership: Lgr Mark Louw National Wellbeing: Lgr Rees Davies National Communication: Lgr Charles Ross National Ceremonial/Discipline: Lgr Shaun Booth.

Branches: • Alexandria • Attridgeville • Benoni • Bloemfontein • Botshabelo • Brakpan • Cape Canopy • Cape Town • Central Wits • Durban • East London • England • Europe • Grahamstown • Kagiso-West Rand

South African Legion PO Box 1936 Houghton 2041 Tel: 010 595 4222 Email: pr@salegion.org

Regional Chairmen: • Eastern Cape: Lgr Ivo Chunett • Free State: Lgr Jurie v d Merwe • Gauteng: Lgr Mark Louw • Kwa-Zulu Natal: Lgr Rick Andriés • UK & Europe: Lgr Cameron Kinnear

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Kimberley King Williams Town Kroonstad Lower South Coast Pietermaritzburg Port Alfred Port Elizabeth Pretoria Rooiplaas Scotland Soweto Strand Stutterheim Virtual