South African Native Labour Corps
The talk tells the story of the 27,000 black labourers who volunteered to travel from southern Africa to work in France during WW1. Beginning with the British negotiations with the South African government this talk looks at the setting up, deployment and final withdrawal of the men and highlights their valuable work despite being treated worse than German Prisoners of War.
The talk also mentions Robert Keable, Simon's Grandfather, the subject of which will become self evident.
About the Speaker:
Simon Keable-Elliott is a writer and lecturer based in South London. Educated at Sherborne School and Durham University, Simon first worked in Fleet Street – as a barman – before managing restaurants in Mayfair, Hampstead and Putney. He owned and ran Keables, a café bar restaurant in West Norwood, for 8 years before re-training as a teacher and spending 25 years as Head of Politics and Director of MUN at a secondary school in Croydon.
Simon is a regular speaker at events run by Western Front Associations, U3As and Family History Societies.
Simon is the Grandson of Robert Keable, a WW1 chaplain, who's novel Simon Called Peter, a largely autobiographical work, met with astonishing success in the 1920's, although it was dubbed by the critics as 'utterly immoral'.
That name was used by Simon in a biographical novel about his Grandfather which he touches upon during his talk.
Members and non-members of The Western Front Association are equally welcome. Any new visitors are guaranteed a friendly atmosphere and a warm welcome from a group of like-minded enthusiasts.
(Branch Chairman)
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