15th July 1916 saw particularly ferocious fighting as the 1st South African Brigade attacked and captured the wood, digging in they managed to defend their position for the next six days until relieved. The Brigade had gone into Battle with over 3,000 men and by the 21st July fewer than 1,000 of them remained. At the end of the war the land was purchased by South Africa and serves not only as a memorial to the men of South Africa that fell here, but also elsewhere.
