Honouring those who fell in wars
A moving Remembrance Day parade and wreath-laying ceremony was held in Makhanda at the weekend to celebrate the centenary of the armistice.
“A hundred years ago at 11am, on the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns finally fell silent, concluding the bloodiest conflict the world had ever seen,” said Moth (Memorable Order of Tin Hat) member Graham Gooden at the main ceremony in Makhanda.
A similar event to mark Remembrance Sunday, informally known as Poppy Day, was also held at Buffalo City Metro’s War Memorial in East London.
In Makhanda, the Kingswood and St Andrew’s Colleges’ bands led the parade, as well as serving members of First City Regiment.
Dozens of wreaths were laid at the Great War memorial, which bears the inscription: “Remembering these, let no man think too highly of himself or meanly of mankind.”
The names of the local men who died are inscribed below the magnificent bronze statue.
Gooden said it was necessary to remember the millions who fell on the battlefields and the millions of others who were affected by World War 1.
The unprecedented destruction of cities across the world had also borne testimony to the futility of war, he said.
While the war happened a long way away from South African shores, the country had played a significant role in the allied cause.
Many had left the city of Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), some never to return.
“They gave their tomorrow so that we may have a brighter today,” Gooden said.
Schools from across Makhanda, Rhodes University, the military and many others laid wreaths in remembrance of the fallen, while bagpiper Chris Terry played The Lament.
In East London, the service commenced with a parade led by past and present service men and women up Oxford Street.
ANC councillor Helen NealeMay, standing in for mayor Xola Pakati, said Remembrance Day originally commemorated the end of World War 1.
“However, after World War 2, it became a day to commemorate all war deaths … we should remember and appreciate all the suffering and sacrifice of all soldiers and all sides in all wars. If we do not, then we risk making the mistake of going to war too easily,” she said.
Butler Van De Vyver, 96, one of few remaining soldiers who fought in the war, attended the service. He was 19 at the time.
“I remember being captured and detained for 18 months in Tobruk. Then I was sent to Italy in the hold of a boat for three days. But what I think about most are the friends I made there,” recalled De Vyver.
Reverend Barry Wittstock, from St Marks Anglican Church said: “One should also observe that those who fell were young, in the prime of their life.”