[2] Following the war, Delville Wood was purchased by the author and politician Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, and presented to South Africa.

The memorial was designed by Sir Herbert Baker, assistant architect was Arthur James Scott Hutton,[4] with a sculpture by Alfred Turner.

Above these inscriptions, on the very top part of the archway, is carved the French phrase "AUX MORTS", signifying that this is a monument to the dead.

[1] Sir Herbert Baker's involvement was as a tribute to his cousin, Lance Corporal Clifford Baker, who died 14 days after being wounded while helping Private William Faulds rescue a wounded Lieutenant Arthur Craig from open ground, a rescue which resulted in Faulds being awarded the Victoria Cross.

B. M. Hertzog, the Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa; Sir Percy Fitzpatrick; Field-Marshal Earl Haig; and Lukin's widow.

Others present were the Marquess of Crewe (British Ambassador to France), Leo Amery (Secretary of State for the Dominions), and the Prefect of the Département of the Somme.

Over 1,200 people paid their respects at the unveiling ceremony, and Sir Percy Fitzpatrick read out a message from Edward, Prince of Wales.

During the Advance to Victory, they fought at the Battle of Beaurevoir and at Le Cateau, and were "furthest East of all the British troops in France" when the Armistice was declared.