Kimberley Commando
- Cape Colony
- Union of South Africa
- Republic of South Africa
- Republic of South Africa
- South African Army
- South African Army
Army Territorial Reserve
Kimberley Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.
History
Origin
The origin of this unit is the Kimberley Town Guard which raised in October 1899 to defend the city from Boer Republican attack. By November 1899 the strength of the Town Guard, had been increased to 130 officers and 2,520 non-commissioned officers and men. During the siege of Kimberly, the Town Guard, held trenches and defensive works. [1]
Operations
With the UDF
The Kimberly Commando was originally established in Kimberly in 1936 as the West End Rifle Association. Members had to provide their own weapons and ammunition. By 1938, the Defence Rifle Association was created and weapons could then be bought directly from the Department of Defence.
With the SADF
As with other Rifle Associations, this unit was renamed in 1964.
Its headquarters was based in the private homes of its commanding officers.
In 1964, 1970, 1974 and 1980 the HQ was moved around until it finally shared space with Group 22 HQ at Scanlan Street. The units main function in this era was search and cordon assistance in the urban area of Kimberly in assistance to the Police.
Border War
From 1976, the unit provided troops for service in the operational area.
With the SANDF
Disbandment
This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[2][3] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.[4]
Leadership
From | Honorary Colonels | To |
From | Commanding Officers | To |
1936 | Lt Col J.C. O'Ehley | nd |
1942 | Maj S.J. Scott | nd |
1964 | Lt Col De Jager | nd |
nd | Commandant H.L. Herholdt | nd |
1970 | Commandant P.G. Slabbert | nd |
1974 | Commandant M.K. Brits | nd |
1976 | Commandant F. Schreck | nd |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
Unit insignia
References
- ^ "Anglo Boer War - Kimberley Town Guard".
- ^ Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
See also
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- GSB Youngsfield
- 10 x Commandos
- Two Oceans Commando
- Cape Flats Commando
- False Bay Commando
- Koeberg Commando
- Lions Head Commando
- Skiereiland Commando/Peninsula Commando
- Tygerberg Commando
- Wynberg Commando
- GSB Oudtshoorn
- 8 x Commandos
- Oudtshoorn Commando
- Worcester Commando
- Cradock Commando
- Katberg Commando
- Murraydeen Commando
- Somerset East Commando
- Stormberg Commando
- Midland Commando, (previously Fort Beaufort Commando)
- GSB Pietermaritzburg
- 5 x Commandos
- Pietermaritzburg Commando/Natalia Regiment
- Umkomaas Commando
- Umvoti Commando
- Midmar Commando
- Weenen-Kliprivier Commando
- Griqualand-East Commando
- GSB Pietersburg
- 7 x Commandos
- Pietersburg Commando
- Limpopo Commando(SMA)
- Magdol Commando
- Soutpansberg Commando(SMA)
- Thabazimbi Commando
- Warmbad Commando
- Waterberg Commando Nylstroom
- Potgietersrus Commando
- GSB Johannesburg
- 8 x Commandos
- Delmas Commando
- Heidelberg Commando
- Nigel Commando
- Springs Commando
- GSB Kimberley
- 10 x Commandos
- 11 Commando
- Barkly West Commando
- Herbert Commando
- Hopetown Commando
- Kimberley Commando
- Karoo Commando
- Vaalharts Commando
- Victoria West Commando
- GSB Lohathla
- 7 x Commandos
- Boegoeberg Commando
- Gordonia Commando
- Kakamas Commando
- Hay Commando
- Orania Commando
- Prieska Commando
- GSB Bloemfontein
- 16 x Commandos
- Caledon River Commando
- Fauresmith Commando
- Ladybrand Commando
- Senekal Commando
- Alberton Commando
- Edenvale Commando
- Modderfontein Commando
- Sandton Commando (previously West Park Commando)
- West Park Commando (renamed Sandton Commando)
- GSB Port Elizabeth
- 7 x Commandos
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