Lives of the First World War
Discover, explore and remember millions of personal stories from the First World War
SS Mendi
SS Mendi
On 21 February 1917, the 4,000-ton SS Mendi, carrying the last contingent of the South African Native Labour Corps bound for the Western Front, was struck by the much larger SS Darro, in thick fog off the Isle of Wight. On board Mendi were 802 black soldiers, 5 white officers, and 17 NCO's, as well as 89 crew and 56 military passengers. Mendi sank within 25 minutes and most of those on board drowned. The disaster claimed 646 lives in total. Most have no grave but the sea and are remembered at the Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton. Nine men whose bodies were washed ashore are buried in Milton Cemetery, Portsmouth. There are also a few graves in other cemeteries in the UK, France, Denmark and the Netherlands. Memorials to the tragedy have also been built in South Africa – notably at Avalon Cemetery in Soweto and the University of Cape Town – and at the South African National Memorial at Delville Wood in France, where bronze reliefs depict the tragedy. For detailed information about the tragedy, see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-39027882 , http://blog.cwgc.org/ss-mendi , http://allatsea.co.za/blog/the-loss-of-hmt-mendi/ , https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/first-world-war-home-front/what-we-already-know/sea/ssmendi/ and https://content.historicengland.org.uk/content/docs/education/explorer/ssmendi-we-die-like-brothers-education-resource-pack.pdf . There is also a book called "Troopship Mendi - The Black Titanic" by Nick Ward, based on six years of his research, published by the South African Naval Heritage Trust in Simons Town, and also held by Delville Wood museum on the Somme. This community remembers all those who were on board the Mendi when she sank. Currently all the SANLC men who died have been added, but there are still crew and survivors to add, and further details about the men. Please note that the spelling of names varies between the various sources used, so if you can't find a specific person please email me.
Created by: , Yvonne27542
-
Died 1917
South African Services 9576 Private South African Native Labour Corps 5th Bn.
More about Ephraim Mafadi -
Died 1917
South African Services 9279 Private South African Native Labour Corps "B" Coy. 4th Bn.
More about Jim Mzamani -
Died 1917
South African Services 11069 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section.
More about Mac Mali -
Died 1917
South African Services 9155 Private South African Native Labour Corps 4th Battalion
More about Pond Letebele -
Died 1917
South African Services 11158 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section
More about Edward Zinyusile -
Died 1917
South African Services 11103 Private South African Native Labour Corps 5th Battalion
More about Magida Zondo -
Died 1917
South African Services 11164 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section
More about Andries Abraham -
Died 1917
British Army 9911 Private South African Native Labour Corps 5th Bn.
More about Andries Pitso -
Died 1917
British Army 11157 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section
More about Benjamin Sikwayi Or Sikwayo -
Died 1917
South African Services 11087 Private South African Native Labour Corps
More about Sikonyana Zwane -
Died 1917
South African Services 11155 Private South African Native Labour Corps
South African Services 11155 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section
More about Jail Mlahleki -
Died 1917
South African Services 9544 Corporal South African Native Labour Corps
South African Services 9544 Private South African Native Labour Corps 5th Battalion
More about Stephen Moharo Or Maharo -
Died 1917
South African Services 10896 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section
South African Services 10896 Private South African Native Labour Corps
More about Josiah Walter Koalane -
Died 1917
British Army 11153 Private South African Native Labour Corps
South African Services 11153 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section
More about Phineas Gansini Tanoni -
Died 1917
British Army 10959 Private South African Native Labour Corps
South African Services 10959 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section
More about Edward Monahela Or Monehela -
Died 1917
South African Services 9797 Private South African Native Labour Corps
South African Services 9797 Private South African Native Labour Corps 5th Battalion
More about Kleinbooi Moloi -
Born 1856
Died 1917
South African Services Lieutenant South African Native Labour Corps 5th Battalion
More about Samuel Emslie -
Died 1917
South African Services 11154 Private South African Native Labour Corps
South African Services 11154 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section
More about Isaac Mahludi -
Died 1917
South African Services 10957 Private South African Native Labour Corps
South African Services 10957 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section
More about Mpalakela Motsoahai -
Died 1917
South African Services 10963 Private South African Native Labour Corps
South African Services 10963 Private South African Native Labour Corps Medical Section
More about Hendrick Mokatakise Or Mokatakisa