An early date for your diary – the next in-person GWAA Conference will be on Saturday 29 November 2025 at The Africa Centre, London. More details to follow in due course but if you are interested in presenting something on the FIrst World War in Africa, please let me know.
A Decenber visit to the South African Military Archive Document Centre coincided with the start of a digitisation project of First and Second World War personnel cards and files. Following various discussions about the process, the following was received in response to a letter submiteed on behalf of GWAA members:
The Department of Defence has initiated a project in collaboration with FamilySearch International to digitise First World War and Second World War records currently held by the DOD Archives. The primary objective of this project is to ensure the permanent preservation of these physical records and to enhance their accessibility through electronic means. It is estimated that approximately 35 million images will be digitised over the course of this three-year project.
During the project, it will be necessary to temporarily withdraw certain records or parts thereof from general use to maintain the integrity of the digitisation process. The duration of these withdrawals may vary between six to twelve months, depending on the project’s stage. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise for any disruption this may cause. We are committed to minimising the impact on research activities and will strive to complete the project as swiftly as possible.
Upon completion of the project, these records will be made available on the FamilySearch website and electronically at the Documentation Centre Reading Room. Detailed information regarding access to the records will be communicated to all researchers once the necessary systems have been implemented.
We have noted your concerns regarding contacting the Documentation Centre and will address them accordingly.
As more information becomes available, it will be passed on.
If members have any concerns or questions about accessing archives, please do get in touch as I have a presence on various archive user groups in both the UK and SA, and access to some others, to assist researchers working across borders.
New memorial at Sandfontein in an article by Anzel Veldman on the Heritage Portal
“[CWGC’s] newest memorial commemorates by name over 1,700 South Africans who served in the military labour corps and died during the First World War with no known grave.” https://www.cwgc.org/our-work/news/hrh-the-princess-royal-inaugurates-new-memorial-in-cape-town Background to the memorial can be found at https://www.cwgc.org/non-commemoration/south-africa For visitors to Cape Town there is a small display about the Labour Corps and memorial, as well as the Book of Rembrance, at the Iziko Museum near to the memorial.
The February and March 2025 Legion of Frontiersmen newsletters have some info and photos of 25th Royal Fusiliers
Help is sought to identify the individuals in this photo held by IWM – https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205286941: Frederick Selous is at the far end of the line, Hazzledine is second looking at the camera. There is uncertainty as to who the other three men are.
News has come through that Marika Sherwood died on 16 February 2025. She had written a bit on Africa in World War 1.
Finally, some new book titles have been added to the Books to purchase site.
I believe the individuals in the IWM photo are, from left to right, F. C. Selous, C. Kearton, G. H. Outram, C. F. Smith and an unknown (possibly G. D. Hazzledine?)
Thanks Steve. Much appreciated, best wishes, Anne