Remembrance Project South Africa: SS MENDI

SS MENDI

The sinking of the SS Mendi can perhaps be seen as one of South Africa’s largest military disasters. The date of the sinking has become the date that the SANDF host their annual Armed Forces Day. Memorial Services to the men that was lost is also hosted by various Veterans organizations on the 3^rd Sunday of February.

SS Mendi set sail for La Havre, France on January 16, 1917. Onboard was that last contingent of South African Native Labour Corps/Contingent men. In total there was 850 men onboard the ship, comprising of 805 Black Privates, 5 White Officers, 17 NCO’s and the 33 Crew Members of SS Mendi.

SS Darro

Sailing along the West Coast of Africa SS Mendi moored at Lagos in Nigeria where a Naval Gun was mounted on her stern and once completed the SS Mendi continued her voyage a called at Plymouth in England before heading up the English Channel toward Le Havre in France. On this leg of the Voyage SS Mendi was escorted by the British Destroyer HMS Brisk.

On 21 February 1917 at 5am in thick mist the SS Daro collided with SS Mendi approximately 10 Nautical Miles of St. Catherine’s Point on the Isle of Wight. Darro that was a much larger ship than the Mendi survived the collision. 616 men on board the Mendi perished in the collision . Some men was killed on impact but the most was trapped in the lower decks of the Mendi. In accordance to oral history from the survivors Reverend Isaac Wauchope Dyobha who served as a translator tried calming the panic driven men. It is told that he said

Rev. Isaac Dyoba

"Be quiet and calm my countrymen, for what is taking place now is what you came here to do. We are all going to die, and that is what we came for. Brothers, we are drilling the death drill. I, a Zulu, say here and now that you are all my brothers... Xhosas, Swazis, Pondos, Basotho and all others, let us die like warriors. We are the sons of Africa. Raise your war cries my brothers, for though they made us leave our assegais back in the kraals, our voices are left with our bodies..."

The SS Mendi Sank within 20 Minutes. The SS Daro made no attempt to lower life boats or to rescue survivors. Crew from the HMS Brisk was lowered and rowed among the survivors and debris to find the living.

HMS Brisk

A formal hearing held between 24 July 1917 and 8 August 1971 found the Darro’s Master Henry Stump guilty of traveling at dangerous speed in the thick fog and neglecting to ensure the Darro emitting the required fog signals. Stumps license was suspended for a year. Although Stump backed his reason for not assisting the survivors and sailing off by saying the large ship was damaged and vulnerable to U-Boat attacks. On the other hand many believe his actions were racially based.

The following is the names of those who perished in the Disaster as per the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Records

SS Mendi Crew

Bailey, JA. (56). Chief 2nd Cabin		Steward James, J. (25). Trimmer
Bogie, W. (18). Asst Steward		James, Thomas. (41). Asst Cook & Baker
Bowen, R, (16). Deck Boy		James, Tom. (19). Fireman
Brown, J. (23). Fireman		Johnson, C. (30). Fireman
Carroll, WH. (36). Gunner		Johnson, D. (27). Fireman
Cooper, W. (35). Baker		Johnson, J. (21). Fireman
Cross, R. (43). Chief Saloon Steward		Mole, H. (25). Telegraphist
Evans, J. (33). Chief BR Steward		Morris, V. (17). Scullion
Fargher, A. (26). Asst Steward		Nichol, J, (24). Fireman
Fearnley, R. (46). AB		Oborn, W (38) Cook
Foster, W, (16). Deck Boy		Okill, H. (56). Cook
Friday, SD. (23). Deck Hand		Raine, H. (28) 2nd Officer
Harris, F. (25). Asst Steward		Small, W. (21) 3rd Officer
Hennessy, W. (42). Asst BR Steward		Steel, AR. (54). Surgeon
Holmes, A. (27). Asst Steward		Thompson, S. (28). Trimmer

SANLC Cassualties

Private A ABRAHAM		Private J MOHALE
Private F ABRAHAMS		Private V MOHASE
Private J ALIVENI		Private W MOHOWE
Private G BADE		Private H MOKATAKISA
Private J BADLANA		Private A J MOKGELELI
Private L BALENI		Private A MOKGOSI
Private N BANANA		Private S MOKGWERE
Lance Corporal M BANGANI		Private S MOKHALI
Private I BASILIE		Private M MOKHAPO
Private J BAY		Private A MOLABI
Private H BEKO		Private T MOLELEKOA
Corporal J BETA		Private S MOLIDE
Private W BEYULEA		Private A MOLIFE
Private J BHAYI		Private L MOLIFE
Private J BOOI		Private M MOLIFE
Staff Sergeant A D BOTES		Private A MOLISANYANE
Sergeant C H BOTHA		Private K MOLOI
Sergeant H BOTWENI		Private P MOLOI
Private M BOVI		Private M MOLOYI
Private F BUNGANE		Private N MOLOYI
Private J BUTITJE		Private E MONAHELA
Corporal N C CARTER		Private J MONAKE
Private E CHESA		Private T MONAMATUGA
Staff Sergeant A COCKRELL		Private J MONGOLOGA
Private J DABANI		Private B MONONYANE
Lance Corporal B DAKADA		Private M MONTSO
Private P DAMPI		Lance Corporal P MONYAKO
Private T DANKIE		Private E MONYELE
Private W DANO		Private J MORASHE
Private A DEALTAHA		Private P MORE
Private A DENGESE		Private W MOROLONG
Private G DINOKA		Private M MOSHE
Private W DITSEPU		Private J MOSHIMANE
Private I W DYOBHA*		Lance Corporal A MOSITSI
Private J DYUSHANI		Private J MOTAUNG
Private P ELAND		Private E MOTEBANG
Lieutenant S EMSLIE		Private J MOTELA
Private P ETEA		Private J MOTHEI
Private J FIDYOLI		Private L MOTHLAKANE
Sergeant T A FORD		Private P MOTOBI
Private R FRANCI		Private M MOTSOAHAI
Private S FULE		Private U MPAFULANE
Private W GABAZA		Private S MPATU
Private L GABUTLOELOE		Private J MPEE
Private M GEINA		Private J MPETE
Private J GIJIMA		Private J MPOA
Private J T GILWENI		Private J MSESENYANE
Private W GOBIZITWANA		Private J MSHOTI
Lance Corporal H GQWETA		Private L MSIMANGO
Private J GUMEDE		Private L G MSIYA
Private C GUMENI		Private M MTEMBU
Private J GWABU		Private J MTIRARA
Private J GWATYUSA		Private S MTOLO
Private J HASBANE		Private A MTOMBENI
Private J HENDRICKS		Private D M MTSHANGASE
Private W HENDRICKS		Private G MTSHOTSHISA
Private M HLANGWENI		Private J MUDUNGAZI
Private F HLATSHWAYO		Private C MUHLABE
Private Z HLOPE		Private J MUHLUBA
Private F HOLOANE		Private A MUKOPO
Private C G HOMAN		Private F MUKOTLE
Private A JACKSON		Private D MULAMU
Private I JACOBO		Private M MUNANI
Private J JAMANGILE		Private J MURAPE
Private W JOHNSON		Private J MUROA
Private JONAH		Private D MUTINJUWA
Private J JONAS		Private J M MVELE
Private S JONAS		Private J MVULA
Private P JONGILANGA		Private V MYAMANA
Private L JUBILE		Private J MZAMANI
Private S KABI		Private A MZAYIFANA
Private J KAKANA		Private J MZIMANE
Private M KAKELE		Private J MZONO
Lance Corporal K KALE		Lieutenant R A MacTAVISH
Private H KALI		Private D NAFURA
Private S KALOTO		Private C NAPANE
Private M KANA		Private J NATEDI
Private C KARISHI		Private G NAWANE
Private J KASHANE		Private L NCOTELE
Private J KATAZA		Private P NDABA
Private M KAZAMULA		Corporal R NDAMASE
Private W KAZAMULA		Private B NDANISE
Private N KAZIMULA		Lance Corporal J NDEYA
Lance Corporal J KEPISA		Private S NDIKI
Private J KEPSIZE		Private O NDINGI
Private H KETSBAI		Private N NDLAKUHLE
Private K KGADILE		Lance Corporal I NDLOVU
Private J KGANA		Private W NDUNA
Private L KGATJANE		Private T NEPHTALE
Private K KGOBOSEMANG		Private B E NGADE
Private I KGOSI		Private E NGAKE
Lance Corporal L KGUPA		Private C NGATE
Private R KHAILE		Private P NGATE
Private M KHOANAMUTSI		Private D NGCENGE
Private D KHOLOPANE		Private P NGCOBO
Private J KLADI		Private V P NGCOBO
Private J KLEINBOOI		Corporal W NGESI
Sergeant R KNAGGS		Private Z NGQOTOZA
Private J W KOALANE		Private J NGWAHEWA
Private J KOKOTO		Private J NGWANE
Private K KOLONG		Private G NINI
Private S KOLUBA		Private S NKAKULENI
Lance Corporal J KOOPMAN		Corporal L NKHEREANYE
Private J KOPANE		Private P NKOANE
Private S KOPANE		Private K NKOMANDI
Private C KOZAMULA		Private D NKONYAMA
Private H KULA		Private J NKUNWANA
Private M KUMALO		Lance Corporal C NKWAMBENE
Private J KUSE		Lance Corporal J NKWENKWE
Interpreter J H KUTSHWAYO		Private S NODOLO
Private J KWIKANYE		Private M NOKWELO
Private C LEBEKO		Corporal C NOMVABA
Private A LEBOCHE		Private J NONGWE
Private I LEFI		Lance Corporal J NQUZA
Private S LEGOABE		Private P NTABENI
Interpreter S L LEGWALE		Private F NTETE
Private A LEKAU		Private C NTINDILI
Private J LEKAU		Private P NTOPI
Private S LEKGOLI		Private K NTORO
Interpreter J LEKHOTO		Private H NTOZAKE
Private G LEPERO		Private Z NTSALUNTSALU
Private D J LEPHETHE		Lance Corporal M NTSHETSHA
Private C LESELE		Private B M NTSIENG
Private J LESETJA		Private T NTSUTSWANA
Private W LESHAGE		Private B S NUKULA
Private D LESIBA		Private M N AZONKE
Private J LESIBA		Private K NYAMBANA
Private J LESIBA		Private S NYATI
Private S LESIBA		Private E NYONANE
Private J LESIBANA		Private J C NZIBA
Private C LESITJA		Private F OLIBENG
Private M LESITJA		Private P OLIJN
Private J LESOALE		Private P OLIPHANT
Private K K LETAU		Lance Corporal A PALA
Private N LETEBELE		Private J PAMBILI
Private P LETEBELE		Private J PAPETJI
Lance Corporal L LETWATWA		Corporal R PASILE
Private J LIFA		Private A O PASOANE
Private S LIKGOLE		Private W PASOANE
Private D LIKGOLI		Private D PAULUS
Private S LINGANISO		Private C PAYIPELI
Private M LITHABA		Private J PAYO
Private F LIWELA		Private E PERIKE
Private P LOUW		Private K PETELA
Chaplain K LUHLONGWANA		Private P PETRUS
Private J LUPUTINI		Private S PETULA
Private J MAAKE		Private S PHAKULA
Private S MAAKE		Private B PHALADI
Private T MABAGWANA		Private T PHITI
Private M MABANE		Private T PHOHOPHEDI
Private Z MABASO		Private I PIETERS
Private C MABILA		Private P PIETERSEN
Lance Corporal W MABITSELA		Private S PIKASHILA
Private A MABURURU		Private N PINYANA
Private M MACAMBI		Private M PISANI
Private T MADIKIZELA		Private A PITSO
Private J MADIMETJA		Private J PITSO
Private K MADODA		Private T PLAATJE
Lance Corporal R MADOSI		Private M PLAATJIES
Private J MADUBANYA		Private P POKO
Private B MADUME		Private F POKWANE
Private F MADUME		Private K PONYOSE
Private J MADUME		Corporal D PUGISO
Private J MADUME		Private P PULANA
Private J MADUME		Private L PULE
Private K MADUME		Private M PUPUMA
Private M MADUME		Lance Corporal E QABA
Private F MADZIBANA		Lance Corporal J QAKALA
Private E MAFADI		Private P QUVALELE
Private D MAFIKA		Private C QUZULA
Private M MAFILIBA		Private C QWEBE
Private D MAGADI		Private J RABATJI
Private A MAGAGAMELA		Private J RADEBE
Private H MAGAJU		Private L RADZAKA
Private J MAGALELE		Private F RAKAU
Private K MAGALOBUTHA		Private J RAKGOKONG
Private S MAGGISI		Private T RAMAKALANE
Lance Corporal I MAGOBA		Private G RAMAKHUTLE
Private H MAGUDULWANA		Private M RAMAKOKO
Private H MAGWEGWANA		Private F RAMARUMO
Private W MAHALADI		Private R RAMASI
Private S MAHARO		Private J RAMASITA
Private W MAHLABA		Private J RAMATEA
Private R MAHLENTLE		Lance Corporal G RAMATHODI
Private K MAHLOAPITSENG		Private T RAMEDEKOANE
Private I MAHLUDI		Private G RAMKOSI
Private C MAHUTU		Private C RAMOHO
Lance Corporal J MAJOLA		Private N RAMOSHIELA
Private R MAKALIMA		Private A RAMOSOLE
Private B MAKAMBA		Private A RAMPOMANE
Private J MAKASHA		Private L RAMPOPO
Private N MAKATINI		Private J RAMPUNVE
Private K MAKATU		Private J RASKANE
Private N MAKAYE		Private S RATILULU
Lance Corporal K MAKELENI		Private G RATSHOGO
Private J MAKHOHE		Private P RESINALI
Private P MAKILITSHI		Lieutenant E H RICHARDSON
Private M MAKOBA		Private S ROADWAY
Private J J MAKOE		Private J RWAIRWAI
Private B MAKOLE		Private W SAMELA
Private F MAKOPANE		Private S SEATHLANE
Private C MAKOSANA		Private S SEBADI
Private J MAKUDU		Private G SEFAKO
Private J MAKWANE		Private J SEFAKO
Private M MAKWATEDI		Private S SEGULE
Private J MAKWENA		Private R SEKAKAILE
Private J MALEBOGO		Lance Corporal G SEKONYELA
Private C MALEMUTLE		Private J SEKORO
Private J MALESELA		Private S SEKOTE
Private H MALGAS		Private J SEKWIDI
Private M MALI		Private J SELANI
Private C MALUSI		Corporal S SELLO
Private F MALUSI		Lance Corporal G SEODI
Private L MALUSI		Private A SEPALELA
Private J MAMABOLO		Private J SEREWE
Lance Corporal D MANDUBULE		Private S SETANI
Private H MANDWANE		Private P SETLOKO
Private J MANEKA		Private J SHEBESHEBE
Private H MANGALISO		Private J SHIKAMBA
Private P MANGAPELA		Private B SHILETANE
Private W MANGE		Private T SIBALABULA
Private J MANGISE		Private J SIBALELA
Private J MANGOLWANE		Private J SIBISI
Private T MANGQE		Private E SIBIZO
Private J MANGWANA		Private S SIBOLAYI
Private S MANJEZI		Private K SIFAKU
Private J MANTSUPI		Private Z SIGEDEDHLA
Private B MANZANE		Lance Corporal H SIGIDI
Private K MAPALALA		Private W SIKAWULEB
Private C MAPARANA		Private T G SIKOTA
Private W MAPHESSA		Private B SIKWAYO
Private H MAPHETU		Private M SILIKA
Private H MAPHOTO		Private F SILWANE
Private S MAPULANI		Private J SINQANA
Private M MARCH		Private W SIPOSA
Private J MAROFULA		Private M SITEBE
Private W MAROLE		Private K SITLARO
Private J MARTINUS		Private C SITOLE
Private A MASADE		Private M SITOLE
Private J MASALENI		Private H SKHABI
Private W C MASEKO		Private J SKIP
Private J MASHALIE		Private A SOKA
Private D MASIA		Private M SOLANI
Private J MASIANE		Private T SOMATSHUNGU
Private W MASIKELA		Private W SOMGEDE
Private T MASILO		Private L SONGCA
Private T MASINA		Private G STEPHANS
Private J MASINDE		Private J STUNGA
Private G MASINDI		Private A SUPING
Private J MASOLING		Private J SUPING
Private P MATEBULA		Private J SWARTS
Private A MATHLANA		Private S SWARTS
Private R MATJALA		Private J TABUDI
Private J MATLALA		Lance Corporal F TAKISI
Private P MATLALA		Private J TAMASINYA
Corporal J MATONSI		Private P TAMBU
Private A MATSANG		Private Z TANKABONG
Private H MATSHANA		Private P TANONI
Private M MATSHE		Private J THANTATHA
Private A MATSHELANE		Private C THEBEAGAE
Private F MATSUBANE		Private B TINAPANE
Private J MATSUBANE		Private P TIYA
Private F MATUME		Private E TLABURE
Private M MATUME		Private M TLADIYAMOTSE
Private T MATUPU		Private W P TLHOMELANG
Private G MAZAKU		Lance Corporal J TOKHAE
Private A N MBATA		Private H TOTWANA
Private I MBEDLA		Private J TSAMAYA
Private S MBIKWA		Private J TSASE
Private J MBIYAZWE		Private J TSEHLANA
Private J MBOMBIYA		Private K TSHABALALA
Private M MBUZI		Private W E TSHABANA
Private R P MCANYANA		Private N TSHANGE
Private J MCITSHWA		Private K TSHEKOSI
Private S MDATA		Private C TSHENENE
Private J MDLULI		Private P TSHIKARI
Private E MDUNA		Private J TSHITE
Private J MDUNYELWA		Private P TSHOMOLOKSHE
Private M MDYOGOLO		Private H TSHOTSHA
Private S MEHLOMANE		Private A TSHULO
Private H MEKGOE		Private S TSULE
Private J MENZA		Private J TUBE
Private B MGIDI		Private J TUMBERI
Private K MGINGANA		RSM T K TURNER
Private P MGOYOYE		Private J TYILO
Private S MGWENA		Private J TYWALANA
Private N MHLANGA		Lance Corporal F UTUNI
Private W MIJANA		Private J UZININGO
Private M MKEZO		Private C VIMBA
Private J MKOHLA		Sergeant P VOSS
Private F MKOMAZI		Private J VOVELA
Private J MKOMAZI		Private C VUTULA
Private J MKONI		Private F WILLIAMS
Private J MKUNGURI		Lance Corporal H WILLIAMS
Private J MLAHLEKI		Private J YANTOLE
Private H MLANDO		Private H ZAMBEZI
Private R MLONYENI		Private J ZATU
Private M MNCEDANA		Private A ZENZILE
Private G MNYELISO		Private M ZIMUKE
Private L MNYIKINWA		Private J ZINGWANA
Lance Corporal J MOATSE		Private E ZINYUSILE
Private T MODEBA		Private M ZITONGA
Private G MODIKENG		Private S V ZONDI
Private J MODISANE		Private M ZONDO
Private D MODISE		Private M ZONDO
Private G MODISOATSILE		Private P ZONDO
Private P MOEATA		Private A ZULA
Private S MOENG		Private S ZWANE
Private K MOFOKENG		Private S ZWANE
Private B MOGOROSI

There are also various Memorials Raised in honor of the men that perished on the SS Mendi

Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton

Mendi Memorial in Avalon Cemetery in Soweto, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 23 March 1995

Mendi Memorial in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Mendi memorial at the Gamothaga Resort in Atteridgeville, South Africa

Mendi Memorial on an embankment at the Mowbray campus of the University of Cape Town

Delville Wood South African National Memorial has a bronze relief and panel bearing the names of men lost in Mendi

Then there is the Order of Mendi For Bravery that is awarded by the President of South Africa to Citizens of South Africa for Acts of Bravery.

SAS Mendy (SA NAVY)

SAS Isaac Dyobha

The South African Navy Has named two Ships in Honor of the Mendi

SAS Mendi, a Valour-class frigate. and SAS Isaac Dyobha, a Sa'ar 4-class missile boat.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission also has I educational package called “Let us Die As Brothers” Which I personally have a copy of and believe is a really great educational source.