City joins Cape Town in remembering South Africans who made sacrifices at Delville Wood
The City of Cape Town today, 17 July 2017, joins military veterans organisations, city regiments, historians and Cape Town residents in commemorating the centenary of the Battle of Delville Wood.
The centenary commemoration has been driven by the City, military veterans organisations, and the civic initiative Cape Town Remembers World War I, as part of the efforts to mark the vital role played by nearly 9 500 South Africans during The Great War.
Today, the great sacrifice and contributions made by all South Africans and especially those who formed part of the South African Native Labour Contingent and the South African Infantry Brigade have been highlighted during the commemoration and wreath-laying service.
This battle, which occurred in France, is regarded as the most iconic military engagement by South Africans in World War I and took place between 14 and 19 July 1916. Only five officers and 750 men of the First Brigade survived the action which initially saw 121 officers and just over 3 000 men enter Delville Wood, which they were ordered to capture and hold for the British against the Germans.
In addition, 1 100 stretcher bearers and trench diggers of the South African Native Labour Contingent also died in the battle.