War and Society: Participation and Remembrance

Book excerpt: The centenary of the First World War presents historians with an opportunity to reflect anew upon South African participation in that war and particularly the role played by South African black and coloured participants in the conflict. Drawing upon a wide range of sources, the author analyses the interplay between war and society: the expectations of different groupings at the outbreak of war; the concerns and constraints which circumscribed the role of black and coloured troops; the nature of the recruiting process and the reasons why men enlisted; the realities of service in what was South-West Africa and East Africa, as well as in France and Palestine; and the socio-political ramifications of war service.