LONDON, November 2019
The South African Legion of Military Veterans we know today was born of the
British Empire Service League (BESL), which was founded in 1921 by Field
Marshall Earl Haig, General J C Smuts and General Sir H T Lukin in Cape Town.
The Commonwealth-wide organisation that went on to encompass branches in South Africa,
Australia, New Zealand and Canada, has since morphed into the Royal Commonwealth Ex-
Services League (RCEL), of which the South African Legion is still an active affiliate – as
reflected at the base of our badge.
The aim was and still is primarily to provide care for ex-service men and women who
experience hardship once they return to civilian life. The Legion, and the ranks of veterans,
grew even more following WWII, and over the years, thousands of men and women have
been assisted in all manner of means and this work carries on today.
Natural attrition has now called all ex-service personnel from WWI to Higher Service, and
the lines of WWII veterans are becoming ever thinner, however the South African Border
War and the Armed Struggle produced a new generation of veterans.
The Legion is also a respected body in South Africa in terms of achieving recognition, and
where appropriate, proper benefits and pensions for former military personnel. The Legion
has also mediated with the South African armed forces and guided many veterans through the
application process to receive medals and decorations that they were entitled to.
Today, with a membership in excess of 1,500, the South African Legion reflects the diversity
of the South African population. In addition to the welfare of veterans, a major activity of the
Legion is to promote awareness and honour especially the South African Fallen, in all conflicts.
The SA Legion organises several annual remembrance parades and services throughout South
Africa. The UK & Europe branches hold or attend annual events across the UK and the
Continent. We attended many of the WWI Centenary events from 2014-2018 WWI
Centenary, and now pause to mark 75 years since the start of WWII.
Most of the members who will march with the SA Legion contingent in London on
Remembrance Sunday are veterans of the Border War of the 1970s and 1980s, however
many, on their right breast, also proudly display the medals of their fathers or grandfathers
who served in the Two World Wars or Korea. A few of our members have also served in
UN/NATO operations in subsequent conflicts.
It is a supreme honour for the South African Legion to participate in this year’s Remembrance
Sunday march-past at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
When the Two Minutes Silence is observed, we will have an extra moment of pride to
remember that the practice originated in Cape Town, where from May 1918 to May 1919, a
two minute ‘silent pause of remembrance’ was observed after the daily firing of the noon day
gun on Signal Hill.
We wear our badge which is symbolic of the proud South African contribution to conflicts
around the world throughout modern history, on land, at sea, and in the air.
And we have the privilege to carry with us the honour of remembering not only our own
fallen comrades, but also those of our forebears who made the ultimate sacrifice – many of
whom lie buried ‘in foreign fields’ alongside their Commonwealth comrades.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
For further information:
Lgr. Andrew Bergman
Public Relations Officer
South African Legion of Military Veterans (United Kingdom & Europe)