In Memory Of

LEDGER, SEPTIMUS HEYNS

Service Details
Age:
 27
Date of Birth:
 1889-04-29
Service No:
 6004
Rank:
 Sergeant
Unit:
 2nd Regt.
Regiment:
 South African Infantry
Date of Death:
 1917-04-12
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, in the improvised and disastrous attack of the 9th (Scottish) Division on the German positions in the East of Fampoux. The 2nd SAI, who went in 400 strong, lost 16 officers and 285 men.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 Bay 10.
Cemetery:
 ARRAS MEMORIAL
Localitly:
 Pas de Calais
Country:
 France
Additional Information
Son of Fred Ledger and Elizabeth (nee Knobel) Ledger. Born Kimberley. Educated at Kimberley High School, Griqualand West, which had a tradition of bringing up talented rugby players. He was able to develop his skills there and played lock. After finishing school, he went on to work as a clerk for the De Beers Consolidated Mines. Began to play rugby with the Pirates Rugby Football Club with which he won the Grand Challenge Shield in 1909, 1911 and 1914. In 1911, he won the Currie Cup, South Africa's premier rugby competition with the Griqualand West provincial team. In 1912-1913 the South African national rugby union team toured the British Isles and France, playing against teams at regional and national levels. Septimus Ledger was chosen to represent his country. He played in 15 matches, four of which were internationals. He made his test debut against Scotland on 23 November 1912, appearing the last time in a test against France on 11 January 1913. He never lost a test he played, and it was reported that his performance was outstanding. South Africa won all the test matches against the Home Nations and France, achieving their first Grand Slam.