Delville Wood South African National Memorial

The memorial features a central stone monument surrounded by oak trees, with a museum documenting South African military involvement in global conflicts.

During the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, the South African Infantry Brigade suffered significant losses, with only 143 soldiers returning from 3,153 deployed.

The site includes sculptures and paintings by South African artists, representing the nation's military heritage through various artistic expressions.

Visitors can access the memorial from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM between April and October, with shorter hours during winter months and closures on Mondays.

The memorial grounds contain oak trees grown from acorns transported from South Africa, creating a physical connection between both nations.

Location: Longueval

Inception: 1926

Architects: Herbert Baker, Arthur Hutton

Creator: Herbert Baker, Alfred Turner

Part of: Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front)

GPS coordinates: 50.02448,2.81268

Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:43