Date of Release: 13 July 2006
Embargo : None

The fierce battle of Delville Wood fought 90 years ago will be revisited when it is commemorated on Sunday 16 July 2006 at Delville Wood in France. South African soldiers of all races participated in the now famous of battle of Delville Wood. The 1st South African Infantry Brigade was given the unenviable task of clearing the woods, near the village of Longueval of German forces entrenched there. The order was carried out with great bravery, albeit with great losses.

The ceremony will not only commemorate the lives of South Africans who perished on foreign soil during World War I, but will also celebrate the lives of those South Africans who fought and died in other wars, including for the struggle for liberation in various countries in Europe.

The RSA Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Mluleki George will preside over the commemoration, which will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at Arques-la-Bataille, cemetery and town memorial on 17 July 2006.

On Sunday 16 July the new South African Coat of Arms will be unveiled at the museum built on the site of the South African memorial in Delville Wood in 1986. Importantly, the museum will for the first time open an exhibition on the Liberation struggle. The names of members of the South African Labour Corps who died in Arques-la-Bataille and those who perished on board the SAS Mendi will also be unveiled at the museum.

ENDS

Issued by : The Department of Defence
Private Bag X427
Pretoria
0001

Telephone : 0836280858
Inquiries : Mr Sam Mkhwanazi