THE BATTLE OF SANDFONTEIN: THE ROLE AND LEGACY OF MAJORGENERAL SIR HENRY TIMSON LUKIN

Abstract

Commemorative statues, plaques and monuments from decades past
remain widespread across both the urban and rural South Africa landscape. Included
amongst these is the stone likeness of General Tim Lukin in Cape Town: just one of
such structures intended to encapsulate the emotions and memories of those who
commissioned it. The South African involvement at Delville Wood ninety years ago
would still resonate with some of the country’s population; those who at some stage
have delved into reading up on the history of our participation in the First World
War. However mention of the Battle of Sandfontein during the Union invasion of
German South West Africa in 1914 to the same reasonably historically literate
grouping, would from the larger proportion of them, most probably elicit an
admittance of ignorance. Only the well-read enthusiast of South African military
history would be aware of Lukin’s roles at both Delville Wood and Sandfontein, let
alone how the latter engagement constituted one of the bleakest moments in the
General’s career.