KWAZULU-NATAL BRANCH

Newsletter No. 570
JULY 2026

NOTICE OF AUGUST 2026 MEETING, AGM AND NEWSLETTER

The meeting [will] take place this Saturday, 8th August 2026

This month's presentation will address two different, but lesser-known events.

The first talk will be by veteran Don Brown who will discuss Operation Savannah; the initial covert SADF venture into Angola in 1975-76 which was kept from the South African public by the Government of the day although rumours were widespread internationally.

IN the main talk MOTH John Goodrich will speak on the Crimea - “the mother of All Wars” 1853- 56. Although most people have heard of the gallant disastrous “Charge of the Light Brigade” and “Florence Nightingale;” most of us know little of this war in a part of the world topical again at present. The talk will cover the reasons, powers involved, as well as the unique innovations in weaponry, trenches, hospital treatment, communication, and public participation through the press.

The meeting will take place THIS SATURDAY 8th August 2026 at 1.30 for 2.00pm, at St Cyprians Church Hall off Umbilo Rd, with secure parking and liquid refreshments available for cash. Entry is free and open to all, with visitors welcome, but a donation of R20 for the car guard which also gives entry into the monthly raffle is requested from all attendees.

Enquiries to Phil Everitt, Chair KZN Branch, SAMHS, Cell or WhatsApp: 0844371636.

NEWSLETTER

1. PAST JULY MEETING

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Israeli raid on Entebbe the DDH consisted of a video covering the events. On 27th June 1976 of an Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked by terrorists who forced it to fly to Entebbe Uganda, where Jewish passengers and some others were held hostage. In a daring and unprecedented rescue operation Israel flew four C130s and other aircraft 4000km to Entebbe carrying commandos. The teams freed all but 4 of the 106 hostages, killed all the hijackers and destroyed a major portion of the planes of the Ugandan Air Force. The only death amongst the rescue team was the leader Yonatan Netenyahu, eldest brother of current Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. The event code-named Operation Thunderbolt was later renamed Yonatan in his memory.

The main presentation was by aspirant Battlefields Guide Ronald Collyer, who spoke on the Battlefield of Isandlwana, especially the graves and cairns which he has extensively researched.

Unfortunately, as his slides showed graphically these have and are undergoing continuing extensive damage from humans and the weather. Even the fairly new Zulu memorial to the fallen warriors shown here some years ago, has suffered badly with half of the items shown in the photograph having now been pilfered. It is sad to see the wholesale desecration of such an important site, but Ronald is carefully surveying the entire site by drone from the air and on the ground. Hopefully if enough pressure is brought to the authorities some rehabilitation can be done in the future.

In the first introduction, of a 5-minute talk of family involvement in the military Phil Everitt described how family heirlooms consisting of a pocket diary of his great grandfather and a despatch signed by Lt Teignmouth Melvill (killed saving the colours at Isandlwana), both from the 1878 Frontier War in the Eastern Cape, stimulated his interest in local military history.

It is hoped to introduce this “Keep it in the family” spot at meetings in future. Members are encouraged to present similar 5-minute talks. Please speak to Phil to book a spot in future meetings.

2. The Dellville Wood Ceremony at Glenwood High School was attended by SAMHS Committee members Matthew Everitt who laid a wreath and George Oliver. Congratulations to the school and organiser Kevin Jordan.

DIARISE THE DATES:

3. DELVILLE WOOD: Sunday, 16 August the Annual Civic Commemoration Service will be held at the Durban Cenotaph in Farewell Square, Dorothy Nyembe Street (formerly Gardner Street) starting at 10:30. The Society will lay a wreath. Members and families welcome to attend, contact Phil Everitt, cell or WhatsApp 0844371636.

4. St Cyprian’s Supper Club

Supper Club is Tuesday 26th August at 6.30pm. The speaker is Advocate Sarah Pudifin-Jones who was part of the team at the Hague representing South Africa in charging Israel of genocide in its role in Gaza. Cost is R100 for dinner of fish and chips with ice cream for dessert. Contact Phil or the Church by Monday 25th August to book.

5. Trumpet and Organ Concert

Sunday 11am 23 August 2026. For music lovers, there will be a Trumpet and Organ Concert at St Cyprians Church as shown on the poster. Both musicians play in the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and Yosuke Matsui is internationally known and truly amazing on the trumpet and Margrit Deppe has studied internationally and teaches locally. Entrance R130 pp.

6. Music from Scotland

Saturday 19 September, 2026 at the DLI Hall starting at 2pm.
You can expect a great afternoon of Scottish and Celtic music and dance.
Tickets are now available. For tickets and booking you can phone Ken Mustard at 031 702 5311 during office hours or email him at kenmustard@mcclungs.co.za
Ken Mustard obo
KWAZULU NATAL PIPING AND DRUMMING SOCIETY

7. A selection of past Military History Battles in July/August.

7.1 15th July 1916 Start of Delville Wood. The 1st South African Infantry Brigade, consisting of 3,153 men, was ordered to hold the wood at all costs, By the time the brigade was relieved on 19 July, only 142 men emerged unscathed, with 763 killed and 1,709 wounded.

7.2 15th July 1918 - World War I: Second Battle of the Marne

7.3 18th July - 390 BC - Battle of the Allia: A Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, leading to the subsequent sacking of Rome.

7.4 21 July - 1861 - American Civil War: First Battle of Bull Run - At Manassas Junction, Virginia, the first major battle of the war begins (Confederate victory).

7.5 22 July -1298 - Battle of Falkirk - Edward I (Longshanks) of England and his longbowmen defeat William Wallace and his Scottish schiltrons outside the town.

7.6 27 July 1880 - British army defeated at Battle of Maiwand in Afghanistan.

7.7 28 July - 1914 - World War I begins: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia after it failed to meet the conditions of an ultimatum it set following the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by a Serbian assassin. This event leads to the outbreak of war.

7.8 8 August - 1588 - Battle of Gravelines: The Spanish Armada is defeated by an English naval force under command of Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake off the coast of Gravelines, France after being scattered by fireships.

8. Journals

The new Journals have been delivered and will be distributed at the meeting on Saturday. Please collect yours and those who cannot attend please try to arrange for a fellow member to collect for you.

Joan Marsh, at National Office can offer the alternative of an emailed pdf version and/or to receive a copy by post but this is obviously subject to the vagaries of the SA Post Office.
If any members would prefer this in the future, please drop her an email to joan@trolleyscan.com
You may also contact Joan on cell or WhatsApp at 0660937296

9. St Cyprian’s Annual Fete

Some news from our host:
Father Dane wishes to thank all who participated in the event.

A summary of the FETE income and expenditure.
Total Income= R171 080
Total Expenses= R32 002
Nett Profit = R139 078

10. Presenters wanted. We always have openings for short (20-minute) DDHs and 45-minute main talks and actively look for speakers for 2027. Please approach the Chair or a committee member to volunteer or suggest speakers.

11. IMPORTANT NOTICE - NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be one week earlier than usual on the 5th September due to St Cyprians preparing for their Patronal Festival on our usual 12th September.
We will be honoured to have as our main speaker the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Base Durban, Rear Admiral Neville Howell who will speak on the SA Navy with special reference to our submarine service where he served on both the original Daphné class and our newer Heroine Class. A meeting not to be missed!
The DDH will be announced later.

That’s all for now folks, see you THIS Saturday 8th August and if possible, bring a friend to boost numbers and help recruit new members!

Smile from the past! Andy Capp by Reg Smythe

Regards
Phil
P R Everitt,
Chair KZN Branch, SAMHS,
Cell or WhatsApp: 0844371636