by Ian Uys
Green Garnet George 26 Sec-Lieut 2C W 18
Greene Lovell Lieut 2C W 10
Grierson R D Lieut 4D G
Guard S J Sec-Lieut 3 POW W
Guest C M Lieut 4HQ Staff W
Haarhof A C Sec-Lieut 1 K 16
Hahn E A L Sec-Lieut 1 K 16
Hanks Alfred C 40 Sec-Lieut 3A D 15
Harrison Arthur Cecil Lieut 1 W
Heal Frank Henry Major 1HQ Transport
Heeley H N Sec-Lieut 3 W
Heenan Claude R Capt 2A W 15
Henry Walter Douglas Lieut 1C POW W
Hill Eustace St Clair 43 Capt 1HQ Chaplain
Hill Walter James Lieut 2B K 20
Hirtzel H M Lieut 3 POW
Hollingsworth Jack M 21 Lieut 1 (A Coy) M 16
Hoptroff W F Capt 2D K 18
Hunt Donald Rolfe 41 Major 4C
Isaacs Leonard Isidore Lieut 1B
Jackson John W Capt 3C Actg Major K 18
Jenkins Herbert Harold Capt 1C W 15
Jenner D Sec-Lieut 3A W 17
Jones Frank Aubrey 42 Lieut-Col 4HQ CMG DSO K 11
Jowett Percy John Capt 1A M 20
Kirby Walter Houx Sec-Lieut 4 W
Knibbs A R Sec-Lieut 2D W
Larmuth Wilfrid Austin Lieut 1 W
Lawrie Capt Bde HQ SAFA
Legge E A Hon Capt 2HQ QM
Letchford C T K 28 Lieut 2D K 20
Liefeldt Aubrey William 24 Lieut 1D W 15
Liebson Stephen Capt 3HQ SAMC W
Lukin Henry Timson 56 Brig-Gen Bde HQ CB CMG DSO G
Lyne R M Sec-Lieut 1
MacLeod Donald Macleary 35 Major 4HQ W 18
Marshall George Edmund W Capt 4C S 17
MacDonald Albert W H Capt 3HQ Adjutant W
McFarlane Brian Neil Sec-Lieut 2C W 10
McLachlan D R Capt 3C K 15
McLean C A A Sec-Lieut 4B W
McLean W Lieut 4A Bde Staff
Medlicott Richard Frederick Capt 3B MC POW K
Miller George John 35 Capt 1B K 16
Miller R G Sec-Lieut 2A 20
Mitchell F Mc E Capt 4 Attd 26 Bde
Mitchell-Baker James 38 Major Bde HQ
Mulcahy C L H Lieut 2B D 10
Newson H M Lieut 4A POW
Nicholas Sec-Lieut M-G Coy
Nicholson Cyril Francis S Lieut 1
Oughterson H G Lieut 4 K 6
Parsons Cecil Braithwaite Lieut 1 K 16
Paxton A L Lieut 3 W
Pearson S Sec-Lieut 3 W
Parkins W J Lieut 2A W 18
Pepper A L Capt Bde HQ
Phillips Edward James 33 Lieut 3 Attd TMB W 20
Pirie D A Lieut 3 POW
Power Mitchell Stanislaus Major 4HQ SAMC
Priday Thomas Oscar Lieut 1HQ Adjutant W 16
Pringle R A Major Bde HQ SAFA
Reid Chauncey Wilfred Lieut 1A W 14
Ritchie F K St M Sec-Lieut 3 POW
Roseby Percy Richardson 39 Lieut Bde HQ Died 25th D 17
Ross Donald 35 Sec-Lieut 4 K 20
Ross Thomas Hesketh Capt 4B
Russell S C Capt 4A Trones Wood D 10
Scallan W Sec-Lieut 3 W
Schreiner Lieut Son of Cape PM W
Sharpe A E Sec-Lieut 3 G
Shenton J L Lieut 4D Signal Off. W 10
Smith G Lieut 4C W 18
Somerset Francis Henry 33 Sec-Lieut 3D D 20
Stokes S B Sec-Lieut 3 W
Stuckey A Lieut 1
Style Sydney Wallis E Lieut 1D W 18
Tanner William Ernest C 40 Lieut-Col 2HQ CMG W 17
Tatham Errol Victor 25 Sec-Lieut 2B K 18
Tatham Russell Pears 24 Sec-Lieut 2A K 20
Taylor A S Lieut 4D W 14
Taylor Robert Capt 1HQ SAMC
Tempany W Sec-Lieut 1 W 16
Thackeray Edward Francis 45 Lieut-Col 3HQ CMG W
Thomas O H de B Lieut 3 POW W
Thomson A M Lieut 3 W
Thomson S Capt 4HQ Chaplain
Thorburn R B Lieut 4B Waterlot Farm K 15
Tomlinson Leonard W Capt 3D W
Vivian E V Capt 3A W 15
Wales A T 23 Sec-Lieut 2 K
Walsh F G Sec-Lieut 2HQ Transport
Walshe PJ Capt 2HQ Chaplain
Watkins J Lieut 4D W
Wearner Arthur Charles Hon-Capt 1HQ QM
Young Alexander (Sandy) 43 Lieut 4D VC of SA War W
Delville Wood Decorations
Key
(C) Lieut Craig’s rescue on 16th.
(H) Lieut Hill’s party.
(T) Capt Tomlinson’s raid on 15th.
(KIA) Killed in Action
(MDA) Missing, death assumed
(DOW) Died of Wounds
(Name Rank Regt. Recommended Awarded Notes)
Aitken A L/Cpl 4 DCM —
Ainslie J Sgt 4 MM — Wounded
Allen V W Pte 4 DCM MM MDA 9.6.1918
Badnall G F Pte 2 DCM — Bernafay
Baker G F Pte 1 DCM MM KIA 12.4.1917 (C)
Baker G T Pte 1 MM MM
Bamford H W Capt 2 DSO MC
Bansemer W H Pte 2 MM — KIA
Bennewith W R Pte 2 MM —
Beverley R. Lieut 2 MC MC Bernafay
Bryant N J CSM 3 MM — KIA (T)
Calder K Pte 2 DCM MM Bernafay KIA 12.10.16
Chapman O L Cpl 3 — (T)
Charlton W D Lieut 4 MC MC Bernafay
Chave A F L/Cpl 4 DCM — Trones
Cooper J H Pte 4 MM — Stretcher-bearer
Davies W F QMS 3 MC —
Davis A A Pte 3
Davis F M Lieut 2 MC —
Dinnes J L/Cpl 3 MM MM Trones “Scout”
Dixon C Cpl 4 DCM MM Wounded
Dixon P L/Cpl —
Douthwaite R Pte 2 DCM MM Bernafay KIA 12.4.1917
Dunstone S Pte 2 DCM MM
Du Plessis S L/Cpl 3 —
Estment A Pte 1 DCM MM (C)
Faulds W F Pte 1 VC VC (C)
Fitz E H Pte 2 DCM MM Bernafay
Flanagan W N L/Cpl 3 DCM MM
Fleck W F Pte 2 MM — KIA
Garland F L L/Cpl 2 DCM MM (H)
Govan F G Pte 3 DCM
Granger J L Pte 2 DCM MM
Green G G Sec-Lieut 2 MC MC MC Bar 1917, KIA, March 1918
Greene L Lieut 2 DSO MC DSO 1918
Grierson R D Sec-Lieut 4
Hall J L/Cpl 4 DCM MM
Halstead F Cpl 4 MM — 12 July Trones
Harris W F Pte 1 MM MM
Healy W M Pte 1 DCM DCM KIA 17.10.1917
Heath C W Pte 2 MM —
Heenan C R Cpt 2 MC —
Hendry N T Cpl 3 —
Hill R Pte 3 —
Hill E St. C Reverend 1 DSO — MC at Butte de Warlencourt Hill
W J Lieut 2 VC MID Escaped. KIA
Hoatson A Pte 2 DCM —
Holdsworth W Pte 2 MM MM Bernafay
Holiday T H Pte 1 MM MM
Hollingberry W Pte 3 MM MM Dangerously wounded (T)
Hollington E E Pte 4 DCM MM
Holmes R J Pte Brig HQ MM MM See Smuts
Hort G A L/Cpl 1 MM MM Wounded
Jenner D Sec-Lieut 3 — Wounded
Lawrie M B Capt SAMC MC MC
Lawson J A Pte 3 —
Liebson S Capt 3 MC MC Attd SAMC. KIA 1918
Lobb G T Pte —
Loubser A J Pte 1 DCM DCM KIA 17.10.1917
MacFarlane B N Lieut 2 MC MC Bernafay & Trones Wood
Mandy G I Pte 2 MM —
Marshall G E Sgt 2 MM DCM
Maudlen J C Pte 3 MM —
McCormack J Pte 3 —
McDonald A W H Capt 3 DSO MC DOW 21.9.1917
McDonald W S Sgt 3 MM MM Seriously wounded (T)
McIntosh A Pte 4 MM —
McKay B S Sgt 2 MM — Bernafay Wood
McLachlan A Pte 4 MM — Missing
Mitchell F L/Cpl 2 DCM MM Bernafay
Moneron F G Pte 3 DCM MM Stretcher-bearer
Morgan R H L/Cpl 4 MM —
N
aisby J Sgt 3 VC DCM Seriously wounded
Neille P J Sgt 4 DCM —
Noble W M Pte 3 MM —
Peacock W F Pte 2 MM — See Bennewith & Heath MID 1917
Phillips E J Sec-Lieut 3 DSO DSO Wounded
Power MS Major 4 DSO DSO SAMC Attd 4th SAI
Pebble E E A/RSM 2 DCM DCM KIA DW Egypt
Prentice W Pte 4 MM MM KIA 6.7.1918
Pringle R N Major SAFA DSO DSO
Quinton R J Pte 4 DCM — Helped Lieut Charlton
Richardson C E Pte 2 MM —
Robertson T Pte 4 MM — Stretcher-bearer
Ross T H Capt 4 DSO MC KIA 3.4.1917
Schurray D Sgt 4 MM MID
Scott R E Drummer 3 MM —
Shapcott W H L/Cpl 3 DCM DCM Wounded (T)
Shenton J L Lieut 4 MC MC Wounded
Smuts M Pte Brig HQ MM MM See Holmes
Stephens H Pte 2 MM —
Stephens H J J Pte 2 DCM —
Stewart W A Pte 3 DCM MM KIA 13.10.1917
Strachan G T Pte 2 DCM —
Strickland G C L/Cpl Mortars DCM MM
Style S W E Capt 1 MC MC
Sumner H L Cpl 4 DCM MM
Swan W Pte MM —
Tanner G G Pte 2 MM DCM
Tatham E V Lieut 2 DSO —
Taylor A S Lieut 4 MC — Wounded
Taylor J L/Cpl DCM —
Taylor H M Pte 2 MM MM
Taylor R Capt 1 MC — SAMC
Thackeray E F Lieut-Col 3 VC DSO
Thomas G Pte 1 MM MM
Thompson R Pte 3 MM —
Thomson C A Pte 4 MM —
Thomson J M A/CSM 2 DCM DCM DOW 17.10.1916
Thorburn R B Lieut MID
Tomlinson L W Capt 3 DSO DSO Led raiding party (T)
Tretheway B D Cpl 4 MM — Wounded
Vlok N J Pte 2 DCM DCM Wounded
Walsh L H S/Sgt SAFA VC DCM
Welsh T Capt SAFA MC MC KIA 12.4.1917
Williams G W Cpl 3 DCM MM
Wilson J CSM 4 DCM MC KIA 9.10.1918
Wolstenholme W H Pte 2 MM —
Wright W J Sgt 2 MM —
Recommendations for mentions in despatches
Name Rank Regt
Aarons Cpl 1
Arnot C W Pte 3
Beland R Pte 3
Bird F Pte 3
Brook J A Pte 2
Brown A H Lieut 4
Butler Sgt 4
Capel H G Pte 3
Cooper H Drummer 3
Davis A A Pte 3
Dunn Cpl 1
Du Toit Pte 4
Felton W H Pte 3
Giles C R Pte 3
Green G 2nd Lieut 2
Hall J L/Cpl 4
Harris R E L/Cpl 3
Hogarth D L/Cpl 4
Humphries W N F Pte 3
Hunter H J Cpl 3
Kelly A L L/Cpl 2
Kelly V J Pte 3
Knox P Pte 3
Lobb G T Pte 3
Long C E Pte 3
Margolis H Pte 4
McPherson J Pte 4
Molony W Pte 3
Montgomery A S Pte 1
Morgan A F Pte 4
Neilson J E Pte 4
Noble J E T Pte 3
Norton H J Pte 3
O’Keefe D Pte 3
Osmond H E Pte 3
Pinnock R L/Cpl 3
Preston W Pte 3
Radcliffe D C Pte 2
Ravenscroft W J Pte 1
Rossiter J B Pte 4
Rubenson J Pte 2
Sharp A Pte 1
Sharpe A E Lieut 3
Simpson W S Pte 4
Slade C S Pte 4
Starrs J Pte 3
Stokill Sgt 1
Strickland G C L/Cpl 3
Sumner H L Cpl 4
Thompson B Pte 3
Thompson E C Pte 4
Thompson W H Pte 4
Trewatha J H Pte 3
Van Holst M A K Pte 3
Willocks W Pte 3
Williams G W Cpl 3
Williams W H Pte 1
Bibliography and sources
Alhadeff V South Africa in two World Wars
Betteridge A Combat in and over Delville Wood. (Unpublished MSS)
Buchan J The History of the South African Forces in France. Thos Nelson & Sons Boustead Col Sir Hugh The Wind of Morning. Chatto & Windus. (1974)
Birkby C The Saga of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment. Hodder & Stoughton (1950)
Conan Doyle The British Campaign in France and Flanders 1916 (1918), Hodder & Stoughton
Cornwell Richard The South Africans at Delville Wood. “Militaria” 7/2. (1977)
Croft W D, Lieut-Col Three Years with the 9th Division
Doitsh E The First Springbok Prisoner in Germany
Eastern Province Herald Reports
Edmunds C A Subaltern’s War (1929), Peter Davies Ltd
Ewing J History of the 9th Scottish Division
Fourie D Delville Wood, Purnell
Fraser M “Biography of E Barlow”
Gardner R B The Big Push (1961), Cassell, London
Gibbs P Realities of War (1944)
“Home Front,” July (1981)
Johnstone R Ulundi to Delville Wood
Juta H C The History of the Transvaal Scottish (1933)
Lawrence G G J “Militaria”, (1978)
Lawson J A Memories of Delville Wood (1918), Maskew Miller
Lawson K C Venture of Faith, Council of St John’s College, (1968)
Liddell Hart B H History of the First World War, Pan Books (1970)
Lotter J de V Origin of the Delville Wood Memorial
Meredith D “Diary of”
Midland News 11.9.1916
Official History “Union of South Africa and the Great War 1914-18”
Public Records Office Files WO 95, 1777, 1780, 1782
Personal interviews and tape-recordings
Report from South Africa July 1966 Commemorative Issue “Battle of Delville Wood July 15-20. 1916”
Reymann M Das infanterie regimenten von alvensleben N 52 in Weltkriege 1914-18
Standard Encyclopaedia of South Africa
SA National Museum of Military History files
SABC interviews with Delville Wood Survivors
The Star, 11.7.70
SADF Documentation Centre, “Personal files, citations and brigade records”
Shaw E H J “Basic Guide for collectors of SA 1914-18 medals” (1981)
Springbok, Sept (1933)
Solomon E Potchefstroom to Delville Wood The Football & Sports Publishers
South Africa Magazine
Stuart C B Reminiscences
‘The Story of Delville Wood,” told in Letters from the Front
Tanner WEC, Lieut-Col. Address delivered at Delville Wood on 9.6.1938
Tatham Family Album
Transvaal Scottish Regimental Museum
Talbot Kelly R B A Subaltern’s Oddyssey (1980), William Kimber, London
Taylor A J P History of World War I (1974) Octopus Books
Tylden G. Major The Armed Forces of South Africa (1954) Africana Museum. Johannesburg
United Tobacco Company Defence Album
Uys Ian For Valour, the History of Southern Africa’s Victoria Cross Heroes (1973)
Warwick G W We Band of Brothers Howard Timmins (1962)
Abbreviations
ADC Aide-de-camp
AWOL Absent without leave
Brig Brigadier
Capt Captain
CMG Companion of St Michael & St George
CPR Cape Peninsula Rifles
CMR Cape Mounted Riflemen
CSM Company Sergeant Major
Coy Company
Cpl Corporal
DCM Distinguished Conduct Medal
DSO Distinguished Service Order
FOO Forward Observation Officer
Gen General
GOC General Officer Commanding
GSO General Staff Officer
HQ Headquarters
&n
bsp; HE High Explosive
HM His Majesty
ILH Imperial Light Horse
KOSB King’s Own Scottish Borderers
L/Cpl Lance-Corporal
Lieut Lieutenant
Maj Major
MC Military Cross
MG Machine-gun
MM Military Medal
MID Mentioned in Despatches
MOTHS Memorable Order of Tin Hats (SA Ex-Servicemens’ Organisation)
NCO Non-commissioned Officer
OBE Order of the British Empire
OC Officer Commanding
OFS Orange Free State
POWs Prisoners of War
Pte Private
QM Quartermaster
RFA Royal Field Artillery
RFC Royal Flying Corps
RA Royal Artillery
Regt Regiment
RSM Regimental Sergeant-Major
SA South African
SAFA SA Field Ambulance
SAI SA Infantry
SALTMB SA Light Trench Mortar Battery
SAMC SA Medical Corps
SANLC SA Native Labour Corps
SAMR SA Mounted Rifles
Sec- Second
Sgt Sergeant
SWA South West Africa
S/Sgt Staff Sergeant
Sgt/Major Sergeant-Major
TS Transvaal Scottish
UDF Union Defence Force
VAD Voluntary Aid Detachment
VC Victoria Cross
2IC Second in Command
Epilogue
The author’s daughter, Cheryl, 15, found this poem which aptly sums up a veteran’s feelings after he had read in September 1955 of the glorious battles of the Somme, Arras and Delville Wood. The poem was written by Harold Goodwin and published in ‘A new book of South African verse in English’ — selected and edited by Guy Butler and Chris Mann.
GLORIOUS?
In the days long gone by when the 1st S.A.I.
Took part in a battle arboreous,
Mid Delville Wood’s trees with a vertical breeze
I don’t recollect feeling glorious.
When the battle was o’er and we counted the score
We didn’t feel very victorious.
With most of our band in a far better land
Not one of us said it was glorious.
When a pal fell down dead with no top to his head
We may have used language censorious,
But whatever we said as we looked at our dead
I’m certain we never said glorious …
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