Members of the Memorable Order of the Tin Hats (MOTHs) came together at Dickie Fritz Shellhole to commemorate the lives of fallen soldiers.
Held at the Edenvale shellhole on November 2, the day included a parade, a wreath-laying ceremony and a fete.
The shellhole, founded in 1955, was named after two Jeppe High School staff members, Dickie Dashwood and Fritz von Linsingen.
The two men lost their lives while fighting in North Africa during World War II.
The parade was organised by the MOTHs and representatives from the SA War Grave Society.
Old Bill of the Edenvale shellhole, Leon Apicella, said approximately 130 members affiliated to the MOTHs and the Memorable Order of the Tin Hats Women’s Association (MOTHWA) attended the parade, which was led by the South African Irish Regiment Pipes and Drums.
“The day was a definite success,” said Leon.
It saw representatives from the MOTHs, MOTHWA, SA signallers and Rhodesian forces lay down wreaths.
The first wreath was laid down by 100-year-old Bick Steurt, who fought in World War II.
The parade, slightly shorter due to the Rugby World Cup finals, is held annually to commemorate the battle of Sidi Rezegh.
The North African battle which occurred in 1941 formed part of the allies’ Operation Crusader.
It saw South African, British and other Commonwealth troops fight against the German and Italian forces.
South Africa took part in the war after it declared war on Germany in September 1939.
Some of the SA forces which fought in the operation included:
• the first and second infantry divisions,
• the Fifth South African Infantry Brigade,
• the First South African Irish Regiment, and
• the Third Field Regiment (Transvaal Scottish Horse Artillery).
David Brock Katz, author of Sidi Rezegh and Tobruk: two South African Military Disasters Revisited 1941 – 1942, stated in his thesis for Stellenbosch University that the fifth brigade had 224 of its soldiers killed, 379 wounded and approximately 2 800 captured.
The fifth had an initial strength of 5 800 troops before the battle.
Besides honouring those who fell at Sidi Rezegh, the day allowed servicemen and community members to honour loved ones and friends.
Leon said the day was made extra special by SA’s victory over England in the final Rugby World Cup match.
