Newsletter No. 561
October 2025
NOTICE OF NOVEMBER MEETING
SATURDAY 8TH NOVEMBER, 2025
REMEMBRANCE MONTH - SA MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY TO CONSIDER THE DEVASTATING AFTER-EFFECTS OF WAR ON NATIONS, CIVILIAN POPULATIONS AND COMBATATANTS
The first short presentation will consider the 2 most important remembrance monuments in London, namely the Cenotaph, focus of main wreath laying by the Royal Family, Armed Services and Veterans, and the lesser known but very poignant Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.
Cenotaph, London
(Wiki Commons)
The linked but very different themes of the Cenotaph or “Empty Tomb”, a national commemoration to the Glorious Dead” who gave their lives for their fellows; contrasts with the simple Grave of an actual warrior of unknown rank, name or place of death, who was buried with highest honour amongst the greats.This allowed personal grieving for the loss of a loved one who might actually be the one interred there. The full background story of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior will then be presented.
Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, Westminster Abbey
(Wiki Commons)
The main talk by Maj Peter Williams ex-32 Bn will have the title, “Overcoming my personal adversary during the Angolan War.” The nature of modern war is such that in the end there are no true winners or losers, just survivors on all sides. Some of those survivors have a tough journey just overcoming the personal challenges of war and departing to continue civilian life in a semi-normal fashion all the while hiding the invisible scars of war. Some scars are best left behind in the recesses of memory, but Peter has decided to open up and expose the good the bad and the downright ugly side of war. As such this talk will be the personal account of a survivor who unveils the ravages of war, opening up his inner feelings, and the trials and tribulations that made him get up every day and continue the struggle with a positive attitude for 10 years.
The meeting will take place on SATURDAY 8th November, 2025 at 1.30 for 2.00pm.
The venue is the St Cyprians Church Hall off Umbilo Rd, with secure parking and liquid refreshments available for cash. Entry is free and open to all,but a donation of R20 for the car guard and which also gives entry into the monthly raffle is requested from all attendees.
Enquiries to Charles Whiteing, Vice-Chair on Cell/WhatsApp: 0825554639 or
Phil Everitt, Chair KZN Branch, SAMHS, WhatsApp only: 0844371636 (voice or chat)
Maj Peter Williams, Angola
(Personal collection Williams)
South African Military History Society / scribe@samilitaryhistory.org