South African Military Cemetery
Commonwealth War Graves Commission "During the Battle of the Somme the South Africa Brigade was tasked on the 15th July to take Delville Wood near Longueval Village. When relieved five days later 143 Springboks of the original 3,150 came out of the wood". The Great War.
The South African Brigade formed of 4 Infantry Regiments joined the 9th (Scottish) Division between 22nd April 1916 and 13th September 1918. On the 24th April 1918 after suffering heavy casualties the 1st, 2nd and 4th Regiments were amalgamated temporarily as the SA (Composite) Regiment. The Regiments were reformed by 1st September 1918. The SA Trench Mortar Battery joined the Division on 13th June 1918. The Division served on the Western Front throughout the war and was regarded as one of the best fighting formations of the war. When the Division was joined by the SA Regiments it became knwn colloquially as the "Jocks and Springboks". Reference "The Long, Long Trail" All © WyrdLight McCallum Photography 2021 Contact Antony |