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

• Main Author: Rodney C. Warwick
• Format: Article
• Language: Afrikaans
• Published: Stellenbosch University 2011-08-01
• Series: Scientia Militaria
• Online Access: http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/24

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