WAR VETERANS

Southland Times, Issue 20941, 26 November 1929, Page 7

WAR VETERANS

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN. MEMORIAL SERVICE IN LONDON. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, November 24. The first annual memorial service of the South African War Veterans’ Association, of which Field Marshal Lord Methuen is president, was held at the Horse Guards Parade, London, to-day. The men were inspected by General Sir lan Hamilton. Addressing the company Sir lan Hamilton said: “I always used to say we are the lads who fought with Whito, Bugler, Methuen, Roberts, Baden-Powell, and other warriors of great renown at Elanslaagte, Waggon Hill, Pieters Heights, Paardeberg, and Diamond Hill. We are old soldiers who once upon a time on half rations played hide and seek with Christian de Wet until our feet were bleeding and our clothes were in rags. We are proud to stand here representing 20,000 soldiers who gave their lives for the agreed peace of Vereeniging, and the smaller our numbers the greater each man’s share of honour. The Vereeniging peace was an achievement equal to that of the million dead who are represented by the Treaty of Versailles. Still our tally holds. Every time,” he added, “you speak kindly or think kindly of Brother Boer who used to shoot at us all the time and hit us pretty often, you are helping to keep South Africa happy and united, and what better monument could our fallen comrades desire.” Led by Sir lan Hamilton the veterans marched to the Cenotaph, where Sir lan Hamilton placed a wreath on behalf of the association.