TOTT 7 November 2019

12 Advertising & Newsdesk: (046) 624-4356 Find us on Facebook 7 November 2019 TALK OF THE TOW N
Remembrance Day’s
silence has roots in SA
‘Jock of the Bushveld’ author proposed idea to King George V
The Two-Minute Silence
marked on Remembrance
Day, traditionally held
throughout the British Empire
(now the Commonwealth of
Nations), has its roots in SA.
Various people around the
world felt that an official period
of silent remembrance would be
appropriate to remember those
who have lost their lives in wars.
South African Jock of the
B u s hve l d author Sir Percy
Fitzpatrick appealed to King
George V for the two-minute
pause to be observed annually
TASTY TREAT
throughout the Empire at the
eleventh hour of the eleventh
day of the eleventh month: one
minute in remembrance of the
fallen in war; and one minute in
gratitude for those who survived.
After the end of World War 2
in 1945, the observance of
Remembrance Day has also
embraced silent remembrance of
all those who have died in
conflict since World War 1.
As South Africans unite as
one nation, we should use
November 11 to remember the
12,452 South African casualties
suffered in World War 1, the
38,208 casualties suffered in
World War 2, and the 34 pilots
killed in the Korean War.
Closer to home, we should
remember the many South
Africans who died in the
conflicts on our borders and in
the liberation struggle of the
1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
As yet, there are no reliable
figures for these casualties, but
what is important is that they all
contributed to building our
country as we know it today.
“They shall not grow old, as
we that are left grow old.
“Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn them.
“At the going down of the sun
and in the morni ng, we shall
remember them.”
● On Saturday November 9,
there will be a street collection
by volunteers to collect money
for distribution by the Port Alfred
branch of the SA Legion to the
n e e dy.
On Sunday November 10,
there will be a Remembrance
Day Parade at the Moth Shellhole
(behind Ski-boat Club) at 3pm.
CAKE LADIES:
Manning the cakes
and treats table at
the Methodist
Church market last
Saturday were,
from left, Retha
Allison, Anneli
Hanstein, Ruth
Wicks and Jeanne
Munro Picture: JON
HOUZET
As the guns fell silent
MILITARY HISTORY
U N PA C K E D
Ann Atteridge-Tyrrell
On the last day of the Great
War, November 11 1918,
known as Armistice Day, as the
world celebrated the end of four
long years of devastation,
sorrow and hardship, fighting
continued on the Western Front,
with many casualties
and deaths.
Three days of
intense negotiations at a
railway siding outside
Compiegne and the
German delegation
were finally brought to
the personal carriage of Marshall Ferdinand Foch. The
Germans had been ordered by their government in Berlin to
sign any terms put to them by the Allies.
Matthias Erzberger, leading the German delegation,
signed the terms of the Armistice just after 5am.
Big Ben in London rang out for the first time in four years
but on the Western Front, the fighting continued: Just
another day as officers ordered their men into combat.
The final casualties on that “joyous day” occurred at
Mons in Belgium, where fighting had first begun in 1914.
Records of the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission record 863 Allied soldiers killed on November
11 1918. Americans took a heavy toll under General John
Pershing, who believed that the Germans had to be severely
defeated, although the Armistice had been signed.
The last town attacked on that morning was Stenay on
the River Meuse, at the cost of 300 casualties.
Private George Ellison, a British soldier, was killed at
9.30am at Mons and the last French soldier was Augustine
Trebuchon at 10.50am. In total 75 French soldiers died on
that day but their graves state November 10, thus their
families would be entitled to a war pension but this was also
done as the French Government wanted to avoid
embarrassment and political scandal should it become
known how many died on the last day of the war.
The last American soldier killed was Private Henry
Gunter at 10.59am and the last German was Officer Tomas,
killed after 11am.
More than 10,000 men were killed, wounded or
missing on that day, which caused a huge public outcry.
Pershing was interrogated without consequences,
remaining unapologetic, believing the Germans got off
lightly and he was simply following orders.
SUDOKU - WHARF STREET FRUIT & VEG
Complete this Sudoku and be in line to win a R35 voucher from
Wharf Street Fruit & Veg in Wharf Street.Entries must be in by
3:30pm on Tuesday at the TotT office - 29 Miles St. Winner
to please collect voucher (must show ID) from TotT offices
before attempting to redeem prize. Last week’s winner is Nathan
Potgieter.
Wharf Street
Name:...................................................................................................
Tel No:...................................................................................................
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU
WIN A VOUCHER FROM THISTLE RESTAURANT OR HOTSPOT SPORTS BAR
Name:.........................................................................................................................
Address:....................................................Tel No:......................................................
Entries must be
submitted by
3:30pm on Tuesday
at the TotT Office -
29 Miles Street.
Winner of last
week’s crossword:
Royal St Andrews-
Thistle Restaurant –
Dawn Knight
Halyards Sunday
Lunch Buffet -
Tom Reubens
Winner to please
collect voucher
(must show ID)
from TotT offices
before attempting
to redeem prize.