King George V visits the SANLC

The South African Native Labour Contingent were recruited and employed to assist Britain in the First World War with labour duties. Black South African men were shipped to France in battalions, for their work was needed there.  On 10 July 1917, the British Royal Family was visiting France. King George V visited Abbeville where the SANCL were working. He was accompanied by Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales. The men were stood in lines on the lawn. The King addressed soldiers through an interpreter. After his inspection, the King addressed the men:  “I have much pleasure in seeing you who have travelled so far over the sea to help in this great war. I take this opportunity of thanking you for the work done in France by the South African Labour Corps… Without munitions of war my armies cannot fight. Without food they cannot live. You are helping to send these things to them each day, and in doing so you are hurling your assegais at the enemy and hastening the destruction which awaits him.”  The whole speech was translated to the men in isiXhosa, Zulu and Sesuto. In response to the speech the men gave the King the Zulu Royal Salute.  The King left the gift of a white ox to the SANLC he had inspected.