South African Military History Society

Saint Andrew’s College Grahamstown War Memorials


Photo: SAC Website

Location
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
On Saint Andrew's College Campus, corner of Worcester and Somerset Streets

GPS: 33 deg 18 min 25.62 sec S, 26 deg 31 min 7.34 sec E


Photo: Google Maps

Significance
Great War 1914-1918 Memorial Tower
The Great War Memorial Tower was built in memory Old Andreans fallen in the Great War


Photo: Pat Irwin


Photo: Pat Irwin 

MCMXIV   MCMXVIII 
+ MEMENTOTE + 
HVIVS COLLEGII ALVMNORVM 
QVI OB TERRAM MARIM AERIM 
FORTITER ET PATIENTER MILITANTES 
LIBERTATEM NOBIS SVB PACEM 
MORIENTES CONSERVARVNT

The English translation of the inscription is

1914     1918 
+ REMEMBER + 
THE ALUMNI OF THIS COLLEGE 
WHO, BY LAND, SEA, AND AIR
FIGHTING BRAVELY AND STEADFASTLY
SECURED FOR US, BY THEIR DYING 
FREEDOM UNDER PEACE


Photo: Malcolm Kinghorn

The Foundation Stone on the Western pillar is inscribed:
ADGM
THIS STONE WAS LAID BY
VICE ADMIRAL 
SIR WILLIAM E
GOODENOUGH 
KCB MVO 29th NOV 1921


Photo: Malcolm Kinghorn

A stone on the Southern pillar commemorates the opening of the Memorial on Saint Andrew's Day 1923: 
THIS MEMORIAL
WAS OPENED BY MAJOR 
GENERAL SIR HT LUKIN
KCB CMG DSO ON 
THE 30th NOVEMBER 1923

Rolls of Honour are inscribed on panels on the inside of the pillars of the Memorial.


Photo: Pat Irwin


Photo: Pat Irwin

The Roll of Honour on the Northern pillar includes Major PNG Fitzpatrick, South African Heavy Artillery, the eldest son of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick.
Second World War 1939-1945 Memorial

The Second World War Memorial is Rolls of Honour on panels in the apse of the School Chapel


Photo: Pat Irwin


Photo: Pat Irwin


Photo: Pat Irwin


Photo: Pat Irwin

The Latin inscription on the Dedication Panel reads
TO THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD 
1939 
1945
THEY REST (IN PEACE)


Photo: Pat Irwin


Photo: Pat Irwin


Photo: Pat Irwin

Further reading
The Life and Death of Major Percy Nugent Fitzpatrick (1889-1917) by Ross Dix-Peek

South African Military History Society / scribe@samilitaryhistory.org