First World War memorial to honour rugby’s fallen
SA Rugby is seeking the assistance of schools, clubs, historians and the general public in identifying South African rugby players who lost their lives during the First World War (1914-1918) for inclusion as part of a World Rugby Memorial to be unveiled on one of the French battle fields later this year.
The work has been commissioned by the regional council of L’Aisne in north eastern France – sandwiched between Ardennes and Somme – which has contacted SA Rugby to assist in the compilation of a list.
The French Rugby Union is supporting the project, while the monument itself is being designed by the former French flanker and captain Jean-Pierre Rives.
Dr. Hendrik Snyders, SA Rugby heritage manager, is assisting the organizers with information from South Africa and his work to date can be found here www.facebook.com/SpringbokRugbyMuseum/
A number of Springboks were killed during the War and but records of other rugby players who lost their lives are sketchy. For instance, it is not known how many of those who lost their lives in the catastrophic sinking of the SS Mendi may have been members of rugby clubs.
The organizers will include the names of players in a Book of Remembrance and, if possible, seek information on the date of birth, club/school, regiment, and date/place of death.
Any organization who has a list of rugby-playing war dead or may be aware of a rugby-playing family member who gave their life in the War is asked to contact Dr. Snyders at hendriks@sarugby.co.za.
This new monument is due to be unveiled in September at Craonnelle on the battlefields of the Chemin des Dames.
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
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