Customer Reviews

Black Valour

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Any uniformed, non-combatant and, therefore, unarmed and defenceless, soldier working in a theatre of war is most vulnerable and, therefore, performs a far more dangerous job than his armed colleagues. Such was the lot of South African Native Labour Continent during WW1. For these men, drawn from a number of different tribes, the task was to dig those trenches, clear the woods and other obstructions, build and repair roads and generally help and assist the Allied Forces in their prosecution of war.

Raised in 1916 as a force of 10,000 volunteers, many of those who served in the SANLC never returned home. One particular contingent never even arrived. On 21 February 1917, the troopship SS Mendi sank off the south coast of England whilst en route to France. Thirty of that ship's crew perished alongside 617 men of the SANLC.

Today, the highest award for Valour in South Africa is the Mendi Medal. It is named after that ship to honour the way in which those men - who were trapped below decks inside a sinking ship on a cold winter's night, met their fate. How ironic that such an important award should be named in honour of "black" servicemen from South Africa when such people were not permitted to receive ordinary campaign medals for being at war throughout the 20th Century.

This book is their story. It is a full and factual account and is extensively researched. Described as a description of why and how the SANLC was raised, their work and their fate, in truth, it is much more than that. It is an informed and fascinating read and provides an important contribution to the history of WW1 and the role played by South Africa in the final victory. There were no VCs earned by any member of this force, but the greatest medal available today in their own country is named in their honour.

I had been looking for a copy of this book for many years and finally found one. I do believe it to be one of the world's most overlooked books and can only suggest it be reprinted.

NM

After-note: The culture of those native soldiers demanded they be buried in order to reach their afterlife. The troopship Mendi, however, was never declared a War Grave and, therefore, those who remain on board that ship have been in a state of Limbo since 1917. I campaigned to get the Mendi recognised as a War Grave and, in early 2009, was informed my petition had been successful and the ship will be formally designated by the British government in late 2009. I have also asked the government of South Africa to rescind the law which prevented certain citizens of that country from receiving their campaign medals on the grounds of race. My understanding is this has now happened.