Hopeful Posted 10 April , 2019 Share Posted 10 April , 2019 The pictures are related to a single gravestone that I came across in the tiny Wembury Churchyard on the Devon coast when I visited in 2014. All the other graves were old and mossy and related to local families and amongst them - this single, clean gravestone of a South African black man who must have been involved in the Great War, far from home . Its left me with so many questions. Why was he here in tiny Wembury all by himself? Where did he die? What was he doing in Britain? I see that the grave is honoured by somebody every year with small wooden crosses. Who does that? If anyone can shed light on this I would so appreciate it. I was emboldened to post this because I have recently had so much help with identifying a cap badge and the person who wore it, from members of this forum and i can see that there is a huge reservoir of knowledge here and that the history of the Great War will not be allowed to die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 10 April , 2019 Admin Share Posted 10 April , 2019 His CWGC burial return is here https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/350380/siyabi,-jeremiah/#&gid=null&pid=2 it looks like he was reburied, originally being buried at a camp. Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 10 April , 2019 Admin Share Posted 10 April , 2019 Looks like the camp was between the batteries http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/south_west/renney_point_lentney_battery.html Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxD Posted 10 April , 2019 Share Posted 10 April , 2019 Lots of info here: https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/bhm-heroes/how-black-soldiers-helped-britain-in-first-world-war/ No Labour No Battle, the seminal work on the Labour Corps and like organisations has details of the SANLC. They began to be repatriated from France in September 1917 via a camp at St Budeaux in Devonport, the last going a year later. It may be that they also used Renney Camp. Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopeful Posted 12 April , 2019 Author Share Posted 12 April , 2019 Sorry, I have been away for a couple of days. Thank you so much Michelle for the information regarding his burial and the camp. Thanks too to Max, that information has really helped to round out the picture. I'm most grateful to both of you for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 12 April , 2019 Share Posted 12 April , 2019 (edited) Some info and documents about your man here: http://www.southafricawargraves.org/search/details.php?id=23279 Dave Edited 12 April , 2019 by HERITAGE PLUS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopeful Posted 13 April , 2019 Author Share Posted 13 April , 2019 Dave thanks very much indeed for this link, which completed the missing part of the puzzle - i.e.where Jeremiah came from. I'm so pleased that I have now gained an explanation for the presence of the rather lonely South African grave - thanks to all the help received here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now