South African Memorial

In order to provide care for the large number of South African troops serving in the First World War, the South African Hospital was established in Richmond Park in June 1916.

In July 1918, it was amalgamated with the Richmond Military Hospital, to form the South African Military Hospital.

In Richmond Cemetery, 39 South Africans were buried in a section known at that time as "soldiers corner". The South African Hospital and Comforts Fund Committee decided to erect a memorial, which Sir Edwin Lutyens was asked to design. The 15 foot high granite memorial bears a strong resemblance to the Cenotaph in Whitehall, which Lutyens also designed.

The memorial carries an inscription in both English and Afrikaans which reads "Union is Strength" and "To Our Glorious Dead". Following the unveiling by General Smuts in June 1921, the Memorial became a focal point of South African pilgrimages throughout the 1920's and 30's but was soon forgotten. In 1981, the Commonwealth War Graves commission became aware of its existence and agreed to take on the maintenance of the memorial, on behalf of the South African Government.

The South African War Graves Commission is currently compiling a website which will give information on all graves of South African war dead world-wide. Follow the external link on the right to view the site.

Note: There are also two cemeteries in the Borough of Richmond which are managed by Hammersmith & Fulham Cemeteries Department. These are North Sheen (aka Fulham New) and Mortlake (aka Hammersmith New). For further information contact the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham on 020 7385 3650.