Field of Honour connection to South Africa

BY KINIA ADAMCZYK

Durban, one of South Africa’s most populous cities, is named after a man whose remains rest in Pointe Claire. But how long will Durban keep this name?

Born in 1777 in Suffolk, England, Sir Benjamin d’Urban had an impressive military career that led him to the four corners of the world. His last stop was Canada, where he was recalled for service in 1847 after nearly 10 years of retirement spent in South Africa. He died in Montreal in 1849 at 72.

The Papineau cemetery, where his remains were originally buried, was in the way of building a new access ramp to the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. D’Urban’s remains, along with those of other Canadian soldiers who have served internationally since the 18th century, were transferred in 1944 to Last Post Fund’s National Field of Honour in Pointe Claire, whose brochure states that “this unique and beautiful cemetery was opened in 1930 when the need became apparent for a burial ground, not only for ex-service men and women, but for their spouse or an immediate relative who might wish to rest beside them.”

D’Urban was governor of the Cape Colony at the time of the first successful colonial settlement in 1835, where he presided over the emancipation of slaves. However, according to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, his aggressive frontier policy and attitude towards the tribal structure of the indigenous Xhosa society led to his dismissal as governor in 1837. D’Urban participated in the Napoleonic wars and received a gold cross and five clasps for battles and sieges at which he had been present.

South Africa’s colonial history continues to stain the country’s political and cultural scenes with bitterness, even leading to debates about such things as place names.

In May 2006, South Africa’s capital, formerly know as Pretoria and built as a mo-nument to the white Afrikaner heroes, was renamed Tshwane after a mythical African chief. Both names are still used interchangeably. Following the same logic, some argue other cities named after colonial rulers should be changed. For example, to South African indigenous people, the city named after Sir Benjamin d’Urban is first known as eThekwini and only then as Durban.

The South African city might lose its name in the decades to come. However, Durban Circle in Pointe Claire, whose focal point is a great obelisk erected in the military’s tribute, is here to stay. It is the Field of Honour’s biggest monument. A commemorative plaque adorning the obelisk states: “Durban is the premium harbour on the African continent and the gateway to the fastest developing area in Africa.” Visitors to the National Field of Honour, located at 703 Donegani Ave. in Pointe Claire, are welcome seven days per week. A commemorative ceremony in remembrance of deceased war veterans of Canadian and Allied Forces is held there each year on the first Sunday of June.ꆱ