A deeply moving display of gratitude and remembrance took place as veterans, dignitaries, youth cadets, and community members gathered to pay tribute to the valour and sacrifice of the South African Cape Corps. The memorial service was marked by rich ceremonial traditions, including two brass bands playing alongside youth cadets and sentries performing with drill precision. The solemn proceedings included formal wreath-laying in memory of fallen soldiers, their wives, and surviving families.
The Cape Corps played a significant role in World War I, particularly during the Battle of Square Hill, which took place on September 18-19, 1918, in Palestine. The 1st Battalion Cape Corps launched a successful night attack on the fortified enemy position, securing it by early morning and capturing nearly 200 prisoners and an enemy field gun. Their bravery earned the Cape Corps widespread military respect and the Battle Honour *Palestine 1918*.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a special award to 102-year-old World War II veteran, Legionnaire Jacob Human. National President Henry August officially presented Legionnaire Human with the prestigious Miss Murphy Medal and a certificate of Life Membership, delivering a heartfelt tribute to his lifelong dedication and wartime sacrifice.
In a central act of remembrance, President August and Legionnaire Human jointly lit a candle atop a historic steel Mark I Brodie helmet. The original 1916 British Army helmet was worn during World War I by Corporal Legionnaire Van Der Heever of the 1st Battalion, Cape Corps, who donated it upon returning home with a solemn vow: that a candle be lit upon it during all official Legion ceremonies as an eternal flame for the fallen heroes of Square Hill and subsequent campaigns.
Delivering the main address, Mayoral Candidate Cheslyn Daniels urged those present to ensure the soldiers' legacy is never erased from South Africa’s national story. He reminded the crowd that these brave men served boldly across major theatres—from Palestine, Egypt, and Delville Wood in WWI, to El Alamein, North Africa, and Italy in WWII—even when their own country failed to grant them equal dignity.
The emotional depth of the day was further heightened by Dr Major Danille Bester, who delivered a tribute to Miss Hannah Iris Murphy, affectionately known as \"Mother Murphy\" or the \"Lady of Good Hope\". Dr Bester recounted how Cape Corps soldiers pinned the Irish nurse's badge to their berets in battle as a symbol of protection, and how they later donated a week's pay to help build the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in her memory.
The ceremony concluded with a poignant reading of the poem “Kom haal os, Os wil huistoe kom” ( “Come Fetch Us, We Want to Come Home” ) in Kaaps, serving as a sacred act of ancestral honouring that resonated deeply with all in attendance. This act of remembrance highlighted the significance of preserving the history and legacy of the Cape Corps and their contributions to South Africa's national story.
Key points
- The Cape Corps played a significant role in World War I, particularly during the Battle of Square Hill.
- A special award was presented to 102-year-old World War II veteran, Legionnaire Jacob Human.
- The ceremony highlighted the importance of preserving the history and legacy of the Cape Corps.
