inventory
Botha, Louis
code: MG 0035
War-dated typed letter signed on a Union of South Africa letter head, dated 8 September 1916
R0.05
War-dated typed letter signed on aUnion of South Africa letter head, dated 8 September 1916. This
letter was signed by Louis Botha conveying the condolences of the South African Government and their Majesties the King and Queen, to the parents of Private Dor, killed during the battle of Delville
Wood. In full: ‘Sir, The Governor-General is commanded by the King to assure to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow, caused by the death of your son, No. 7353, Private William Richard Dor of the 2nd South African Infantry who was killed in action on the 19th July, 1916. His Excellency, Viscount Buxton desires me to convey to you an expression of his own personal sympathy and I wish also to offer my sincere condolences to you.’
When World War I broke out in 1914, the South African Government joined the side of the Allies. Louis Botha in his capacity as Minister of Defence sent a force of some 67,000 troops in 1915
to invade German South-West Africa. In 1916, at the request of the British Government, Botha sent the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force to fight on the Western Front. The South
African Forces captured Delville Wood on 15 July 1916 and held it until 19 July, the same day Pte. Dor was killed. The South African Forces sustained severe casualties at Deville Wood, with only 750 men remaining of an initial Force
letter was signed by Louis Botha conveying the condolences of the South African Government and their Majesties the King and Queen, to the parents of Private Dor, killed during the battle of Delville
Wood. In full: ‘Sir, The Governor-General is commanded by the King to assure to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow, caused by the death of your son, No. 7353, Private William Richard Dor of the 2nd South African Infantry who was killed in action on the 19th July, 1916. His Excellency, Viscount Buxton desires me to convey to you an expression of his own personal sympathy and I wish also to offer my sincere condolences to you.’
When World War I broke out in 1914, the South African Government joined the side of the Allies. Louis Botha in his capacity as Minister of Defence sent a force of some 67,000 troops in 1915
to invade German South-West Africa. In 1916, at the request of the British Government, Botha sent the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force to fight on the Western Front. The South
African Forces captured Delville Wood on 15 July 1916 and held it until 19 July, the same day Pte. Dor was killed. The South African Forces sustained severe casualties at Deville Wood, with only 750 men remaining of an initial Force
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