Delville Wood Memorial Landmark

About Delville Wood Memorial Landmark

ir Herbert BAKER decided to use the southern part of the wood. His design incorporates the Delville Wood Cemetery, the National Monument and the Cross of Consecration in a north-south perspective. The road Longueval-Ginchy separates the military cemetery from the wood. A wide avenue, flanked by two double rows of oaks lead to the great arch of the Monument which is at the highest point of the wood. The Monument faces south towards the white rows of headstones. The arch is flanked on either side by a flint and stone semi-circular wall. The flanking walls terminates in two covered buildings, designed in reminiscence of the Summer House built by Simon Van der Stel on the slopes of Table Mountain. Originally, these buildings contained the Roll of Honour of the South African dead commemorated by this monument. These books are today in the Commemorative Museum.