At 11am on the 11th November 1918 a truce came into effect between Germany and the Entente forces. This was supposed to be the war that 'ends all wars'. Yet by 1919 there were still between 20 and 30 wars being waged around the globe.
According to Col Lionel Crook from the SA Legion there were 18500 military casualties from South Africa in this war.
The 1884 Berlin Conference was an attempt to divide up Africa among the respective colonial and imperial powers. By the start of the 20th Century the entire world had been divided up among them. Tensions rose as further expansion meant the direct and open conflict with a rival colonial power.
African soldiers and support staff from South Africa received no medals nor any recognition for their participation in World War 1. There were 83000 Africans and 2000 Coloureds who served in the World war 1 on the side of the Entente forces. The SS Mendi was sunk in 1917 with a loss of 600 SA soldiers and support staff.
The end of World war 1 spurred on the anti-colonial struggles and the fight for independence from colonial rule intensified.
The 11th November is commemorated each year in memory of all who lost their lives in this and subsequent wars.
There were 11023 SA casualties in World War 2. This time, although some African soldiers received medals and were supposed to be retained in the army, African and Coloured soldiers were again badly treated. Most were discharged from the army with only a 2 pounds payment, a khaki uniform and in some cases a bicycle as well, with a small additional sum based on the length of service. During the war when there was heavy fighting in Libya , SA soldiers and stretcher bearers were also killed. They were buried together. The SA Military Command rejected this and had the bodies dug up and so the White and Black soldiers were re-buried separately. Stretcher bearer Lucas Majozi was awarded the 'Distinguished Conduct Medal' while Job Masego was awarded a Military medal for courageous and meritorious conduct.