DELVILLE WOOD

LONGUEVAL - SOMME - FRANCE

103rd COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF DELVILLE WOOD

7th JULY 2019

The annual commemoration of the 103rd anniversary of the battle of Delville Wood was held on Sunday 7th July 2019 at the South African National Memorial in Longueval.

The event was organised by the South African Embassy in Paris and officiated by Ambassador Seokolo. More than two hundred participants braved the rainy weather to attend the solemn occasion and some came from the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands. The commemoration was attended by more than ten Mayors, Deputy Mayors and some elected representatives and some coming as far as Paris.

The Ambassador designate, HE Mr Tebogo Seokolo, made his first public speech at Delville Wood. He emphasized the deep relations that exist between France and South Africa through among others the blood of South African soldiers that was shed in the liberation of France.

Mr Bernard Musset, the Sub-Prefect of Péronne and Montdidier represented the French Government and in his address on behalf of the French government extended his gratitude to the South African government for the supreme sacrifice of paid by South African soldiers in the liberation of France.

The Ambassador of the Seychelles also graced the occasion by his presence. Present were also representatives of from the Governments of Canada, India and the USA.

The event was concluded by the laying of wreaths at the South African Memorial and the village memorial.

The Mayor of Longueval delivered a vote of thanks and in his speech, he shared with the attending guests his recent tour to South Africa with a delegation of 40 participants including municipal councillors and the majority of the inhabitants of Longueval.

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