Fallen soldiers of Delville Wood commemorated
Moths, veteran soldiers, military officers and even a service dog commemorated the soldiers who died in battle at Delville Wood during the First World War.
The annual Battle of Delville Wood commemoration service was held on Sunday, July 16, in the Thaba Tshwane new military cemetery.
The day was arranged by the Pretoria Branch of the South African Legion and supported by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the South African National Defence Force, the Council of Military Veterans of South Africa, the Delville Wood Trust and the Pretoria Memorial Council.
Various wreaths were laid by representatives of these organisations as well as diplomatic missions at the foot of the cross at the Commonwealth Plot in the Thaba Tshwane new military cemetery.
The memorial service was in honour of the soldiers of the 1st South African Infantry Brigade who died in the Battle of Delville Wood, part of the Battle of the Somme.
The Battle of Delville Wood was fought in and around the French village of Longueval from July 15 to 20, 1916. The brigade entered Delville Wood near to the town to protect the residents.
After five days of constant fighting and unrelenting violence, the survivors of the brigade assembled.
A total of 1 709 had been wounded and 763 killed – 457 were killed in action, 120 died of wounds and 186 were missing in action, their deaths assumed.
Chaplain Pieter Roos, who opened the memorial service, said the battle is an example of supreme sacrifice and heroism.
“These men took ownership and accountability for the task at hand. We are here to honour them and to remind us all of what an important role their example can play in our lives today.”
The service included a two-minute silence, reveille and the reciting of a poem. It was concluded with the national anthem.
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