War cottages still in use
Four War Memorial Cottages out of the 12 that were originally planned in 1920, can be seen on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Fourth Street, Northmead.
The Benoni Town Council granted the stands for the purpose, and local mines, the Benoni Chamber of Commerce and other organisations were also asked to contribute towards this worthy scheme.
The scheme originated from the Benoni Branch of the “Comrades of the Great War”, who felt that a permanent memorial be erected in memory of the Benoni soldiers who died in the district during the Great War.
These cottages would be ideal and acceptable for the widows of the fallen soldiers to occupy.
The foundation stone of granite was presented by the architect, W J Sloan, and bears the inscription: “Benoni War Memorial Cottages”.
This stone was laid by the Hon-Lieut-Gen J C Smuts, P C prime minister of the Union of South Africa on October 6, 1920.
Information supplied by Glynis Cox Millett-Clay.
Also read:
Delving into the archives: Benoni’s first synagogue
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