The Union Defence Force (UDF) comprised the armed forces of South Africa from 1 July 1912, when the Defence Act took effect, two years after the creation of the Union of South Africa, until 1957 when it was reorganised and renamed the South African Defence Force.
Union Defence Force infantry on parade, c. 1939.
The names of those who died and are listed as missing can be found on the Memorial plaque in the gardens of the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Jan Smuts
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Field Marshal Jan Christian Smuts, was a South African statesman, military leader and philosopher. In addition to holding various military and cabinet posts, he served as prime minister of the Union of South Africa from 1919 to 1924 and 1939 to 1948.
Jacobus and Catharina Smuts, 1893
Jan Smuts, as a young state attorney general in 1895
Jan Smuts and Boer guerrillas during the Second Boer War, c. 1901