SA Legion honours WW1 centenary
The centenary of the end of World War One will be commemorated on Sunday, 11 November.
SUNDAY 11 November 2018 marks the centenary of the end of World War One, also known as the Great War, or, as it was hoped, “the war to end all wars.”
In commemoration of this historical event the South African Legion has planned some activities on the centenary weekend in Durban on 10 and 11 November.
On Saturday, 10 November the SA Legion’s annual Poppy Day collection in aid of veterans in distress and animal shelters takes place.
Legionnaires and friends of the SA Legion will be stationed in shopping centres and public places to accept donations and supply poppies to those who support the campaign.
The SA Legion is appealing for volunteers to offer up to an hour or so of their time to serve as collectors on behalf of the Legion in various shopping malls across the greater Durban area. Anyone wanting to support this initiative can email: poppies@salegion.durban.ALSO
READ: Why we wear a poppy on Remembrance Day
On Sunday, 11 November, the SA Legion together with KZN Piping will herald the day at 6am at the Durban Cenotaph, Farewell Square, Dorothy Nyembe (previously Gardiner) Street.
Pipers will play The Battle is Over as part of a global piping event which will take place at the same time at various international destinations together with drummers and soldiers, past and serving, honouring the signing of the Armistice.
After the last notes of “The Battle Is Over” are played, the ceremony moves down to the local Maritime Museum where a service will be conducted and wreaths laid for soldiers who lost their lives in South Africa’s worst maritime disaster – the sinking of the SS Mendi, which took place on 21 February 1917. Tragically, 660 lives were lost.
Activities continue at 10am with a gathering at Durban Cenotaph for the City’s annual Civic Service of Remembrance where wreaths will be laid by foreign consuls, military and veteran organisations. As a particular mark of respect, the SANDF will provide a ceremonial company which will include a military band on parade while the guns of Natal Field Artillery fire a salute to the fallen during the parade.
An open invitation is extended to all churches with bells in greater Durban to contact them on bells@salegion.durban and pledge their willingness to participate in this momentous event by ringing their bells at 11am.
Citizens of Durban are invited to attend the service and lay a wreath or flowers in memory of a loved one.
Thereafter, refreshments will be served in the City Hall for all invited guests.
Commemorations will resume at 6pm, where members of the local veteran community will participate in a Sunset Parade, which will end at the Durban Cenotaph in Farewell Square, where a Flame of Remembrance and Hope will be lit to honour all fallen comrades who have paid the ultimate price since 1914.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
