Dundee soldier’s heroism at Delville Wood remembered at Moth Shellhole tribute
Captain Green’s heroism at Delville Wood is honoured in Dundee at a moving Moth Shellhole remembrance parade.
A former Dundee High School pupil, Captain Garnet George Green, holds the rare distinction of being the last man to leave the trenches at Delville Wood — one of the most harrowing battles of World War I.
His extraordinary bravery, along with that of thousands of South African troops, was honoured at the Endumeni Isandlwana Moth Shellhole during a solemn parade and wreath-laying ceremony. The tribute commemorated those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The life and military service of Captain Green were brought to light through detailed research by the late Pat Rundgren. Born in Dundee in 1889, Green began his military career with the Natal Carbineers and served in the Bambatha Rebellion of 1906, the South West Africa campaign in 1914–15, and later in Egypt against the Senussi.
Green, a proud alumnus of Dundee High School — which lost 20 former pupils and three staff members in the Great War — served as a second lieutenant in ‘C’ Company of the 3rd South African Infantry. He endured the horrors of Delville Wood, where South African forces were ordered to hold their position at all costs.
On July 15, 1916, 3,155 South African soldiers entered the wood. When relief arrived five days later, only 18 officers and 702 men remained. On 20 July, Green was the last soldier to emerge from the trench. His courage earned him a recommendation for the Distinguished Service Order by Brigadier-General Tanner.
Promoted to captain in January 1918, Green continued to lead from the front. Sadly, he was killed in action on 22 March 1918 at Gauche Wood while resisting a German advance. Eyewitnesses remembered him as “unobtrusive and unpretentious,” adding that “he was universally popular.”
As part of the ceremony, the Moths unveiled a new braai area painted in military-style camouflage. A plaque was also revealed to honour those who served in the often-overlooked Border War (1966–1989).
The Moth Shellhole welcomes visitors every Friday evening from 17:30 onwards.
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