In Memory Of

UNKNOWN SOLDIER, UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Service Details
Date of Birth:
 -0001-11-30
Rank:
 Rank Unknown
Regiment:
 South African Infantry
Date of Death:
 1916-11-13
Cause of Death:
 Died on active service
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 III. E. 31.
Cemetery:
 ANCRE BRITISH CEMETERY, BEAUMONT-HAMEL
Localitly:
 Somme
Country:
 France
Additional Information
In the Roll of South Africans who fell 1914-1918 (edited after the War by the South African authorities), there is an only one man who served in the Royal Naval Division, who was killed in action on the 13th November 1916 near this spot, and who had not a known grave. Sub Lieutenant Joshua Laurence OATES, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who served in the Trench Mortar Battery of the 188th Brigade (Royal Naval Division). He is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. Perhaps he wore a South African badge (by personal whim), which was the only identification evidence. But it is only a hypothesis.