Portsmouth pays tribute to the victims of SS Mendi tragedy

Family members laying wreath near the graves

The lives of 640 men were lost when their troop carrier, SS Mendi, was rammed by another British ship, SS Daro, in thick fog off the Isle of Wight.

It was the worst maritime disasters in British waters – but one that was relegated to the footnotes of history for decades.

For years the families of the men knew little about their loved ones’ deaths, with only a handful of the bodies ever being recovered.

But yesterday, a small band of relatives gathered at Milton Cemetery, where nine of the men are buried, to finally say their goodbyes.

Among them was Tennyson Nyovane, 50, who laid a wreath at one of the graves.

He said: ‘As a family we grew up with this trauma. Even 100 years after the event it is like the old wounds are open again.

‘It is emotional coming here. It is like this tragedy happened only a couple of days ago. Although I know my grandfather is not buried here, it does not matter. It means so much to be able to lay a wreath in his honour.’

The SS Mendi ceremony at
Milton Cemetery — The SS Mendi ceremony at Milton Cemetery

South Africa’s military top brass joined diplomats during the commemoration. The South African Navy provided a ceremonial guard of honour, while representatives from all of the nation’s military wings stood beside the graves of the fallen.

Vice Admiral Mosiwa Samuel Hlongwane, chief of the South African Navy, praised the ‘unwavering commitment’ of Portsmouth and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for caring for the graves of his nation’s ‘fallen heroes’ when their families cannot.

Britain’s defence minister Mark Lancaster paid tribute to the heroism of the men who lost their lives. He said: ‘These are men, who like many thousands from across the British Empire, had travelled far from their homeland to join strangers in their struggle for freedom and sovereignty.

‘They came to help but they died before they had the chance to. They died with dignity and bravery but they did not die in vain.’

Children from

St John's Catholic Primary, Chichester Community Choir and South African Diaspora UK sang tradional South African songs — Children from St John's Catholic Primary, Chichester Community Choir and South African Diaspora UK sang tradional South African songs

The soldiers were mostly black and were part of the 5th Battalion of the South African Native Labour Corps.

This year, Portsmouth will commission a new war memorial in honour of the men of Mendi.

The granite plaque was unveiled during a reception at the Pyramids Centre, in Clarence Esplanade, Southsea.

Councillor Lee Mason, Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for resources, said: ‘These men all came here to support Britain. It was first time the rainbow nation had joined forces to fight against the same enemy.

Karabo Tigedi, four, holding the South Africa flag outside Portsmouth Guidhall

‘We can never forget the sacrifices they made.’

SS Mendi sunk on February 21, 1917. On Tuesday, South African frigate SAS Amatola and the Royal Navy’s HMS Dragon, will lay a wreath at the spot of vessel’s wreck.