The South Africa Memorial

To the right of the Huguenot Bell you can see our next port of call.
It is a splendid memorial to those Irish soldiers who fought in the
wars in China, South Africa, Egypt and Burmah. As you stand
facing the memorial, high in the centre, you will find our next item.

Picture of the Celtic Cross at the South Africa War Memorial.

A splendid Celtic cross can be seen in the centre of the north transept wall. It is a memorial for those killed in battle in South Africa between 1899 and 1902. These men, of the Royal Irish Regiment, died fighting for what they believed in.

But why has the cross been used to commemorate these men?
Was it perhaps because they were fighting this war on behalf of God?
Was it because their comrades wanted to entrust the souls of these men to God, or was it just that this sign seemed appropriate within a cathedral setting?

We cannot be sure. All we do know is that these men fought for what they believed to be right, and they were willing to put their lives on the line for it.

There is one thing, however, about this monument, that we can be sure of, and that is what the cross itself means for each and every one of us.

The cross reminds us of the price that Jesus paid for us all. He was willing to suffer death on the cross, even though he had done nothing wrong, so that we might live.

Jesus’ death on the cross restored the relationship between God and Man that was broken in the Garden of Eden. His sacrifice paid the price for us all.

All we are asked to do, in order to receive God’s forgiveness for the things we have done wrong, is to recognise that sacrifice, say sorry to God and welcome Jesus into our lives.