Ditsong Museum of Military History

Erlswold Way, Saxonwold, Johannesburg, South Africa

(012) 492-5744

During the First World War (1914 - 1918) no formal showcase was made of South Africa's involvement in that war. In 1940, Capt J Agar-Hamilton was appointed official historian of the Union Defence Forces. The formation of an Historical Research Committee that same year was to ensure the preservation of documents and military memorabilia and lay the foundation for the establishment of a museum.. The South African National War Museum was officially opened on 29 August 1947 by the then Prime Minister of South Africa, Field Marshal J C Smuts PC, CM, OM, DTD, KC. At the opening ceremony, Smuts stated the following: "... We are gathered here today to open what may not unfairly be looked upon as a memorial to the greatest united effort our country has been called upon to produce. Memorials, of course, have more than one use. They serve to remind us of what is past, of great deeds of heroism and sacrifice; they also serve as a pointer, and sometimes as a warning to the future...
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Johannesburg, Greater Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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