Pte William Verreynne 6 S.African Horse d.7/9/16

[Will O'Brien]

As per CWGC

Name: VERREYNNE, WILLIAM

Initials: W

Nationality: South African

Rank: Private

Regiment: South African Horse

Unit Text: 6th

Age: 20

Date of Death: 07/09/1916

Service No: 3491

Additional information: Son of Gertruda Fransina Elizabeth Hoon (formerly Verreynne), of Lemoenplaas, Matlapein, Transvaal, and the late Johannes Lodeurhus Verreynne.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. D. 4.

Cemetery: MOROGORO CEMETERY

[Will O'Brien]

& the cemetery info

Cemetery: MOROGORO CEMETERY

Country: Tanzania

Location Information: Morogoro is situated 195 kilometres west of Dar-Es-Salaam. At the large roundabout on the main road from Dar-Es-Salaam take the turning for the town centre. Follow this road straight through the town and come out the other side on a narrow road lined with mango trees. About 1 kilometre from the centre of town, turn right onto a rough track (this is marked by a CWCG direction sign). After approximately 100 metres, bear left at the fork (also signposted) and the cemetery is about 50 metres along the track on your right, set back amongst trees.

Historical Information: At the outbreak of the First World War Tanzania was the core of German East Africa. From the invasion of April 1915, Commonwealth forces fought a protracted and difficult campaign against a relatively small but highly skilled German force under the command of General von Lettow-Vorbeck. When the Germans finally surrendered on 23 November 1918, twelve days after the European armistice, their numbers had been reduced to 155 European and 1,168 African troops. Morogoro was occupied by Commonwealth forces on the 26 August 1916 and the German civil cemetery was taken over for Commonwealth war burials. Between the beginning of September 1916 and January 1919, 177 burials were carried out by the five medical units which were posted in the town and which were, at the outset, assisted by German medical personnel and civilians. After the Armistice, 169 graves were brought in from other burial grounds, including the following: BUKU BUKU (or DINA BUKU) GRAVES, between Morogoro and the Mwuha river. The place was occupied in September 1916 and a medical unit was posted there. DAKAWA (WAMI RIVER), between Morogoro and Handeni. DUTHUMI MILITARY CEMETERY, between Morogoro and the Rufiji. The place was captured in September, 1916. KIKEO ROAD CEMETERY, near Kisaki. RUFIJI RIVER CEMETERY, near Chogowali. TULO CEMETERY, on the Mikese-Duthumi road. The place was occupied in September 1916. There are now 381 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery.

No. of Identified Casualties: 380