Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment is a mechanized infantry
regiment
of the South African Army
. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British
Territorial Army or United States
Army National Guard
unit.
side during the Second Anglo-Boer War
of 1899 - 1902.
As befitted a regiment based from the gold
-rich Witwatersrand
region, it had a very close relationship with the mining establishment of the time; and its cap badge further emphasized this link.
The Regiment first saw action during the Bambata Rebellion of 1906, when it deployed a contingent to (the then) Zululand
.
In 1907 the Regiment was further strengthened when it absorbed the Transvaal Light Infantry Regiment.
The regiment was mobilized again when World War I
broke out. The first action that it took part in was the South African invasion of German South West Africa (now Namibia
). After the successful conclusion of this campaign, virtually all members volunteered for overseas service. Most of the volunteers were consequently assigned to the 3rd South African Infantry Battalion. (Due to the South African military law of the time, soldiers could not be forced to serve overseas, nor could existing military units be deployed there.)
The most well-known action that this unit took part in was the Battle of Delville Wood
in the Somme
. Other members of the regiment served in the Witwatersrand Rifles company of 7 South African Infantry Battalion; this unit which served in German East Africa
against the forces of General von Lettow Vorbeck.
The inter-war years saw the Regiment deployed during the 1922 Rand Revolt
, when rebellious outh African Communist Party white miners attempted to overthrow the government of General Jan Smuts
.
In the early 1930s the Regiment affiliated with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Regiment of the British Army
. As a consequence, the Witwatersrand Rifles adopted the uniform and many of the traditions of this Scottish Lowland regiment. Despite the Cameronians' disbandment in 1968, the Wits Rifles still continues this heritage today.
As a result of the outbreak of World War II
in 1939, the Regiment was expanded to two battalion
s. However, due to the battalions being used to supply replacements in a piecemeal fashion to depleted South African units taking part in the North Africa
n campaign, the Witwatersrand Rifles was only deployed as a coherent unit (to Egypt
) in 1943.
During its service in North Africa, the Witwatersrand Rifles were amalgamated with Regiment de la Rey
. This combined Regiment, nicknamed the "Royal Boere", saw extensive action in Italy
as part of the South African 6th Armoured Division
, particularly at Monte Caprara and Monte Stanco.
From 1970 until the first all-race democratic election in 1994, the Regiment saw action in the South African Border War
in South West Africa
(now Namibia
) and Angola
as well as on the South Africa/Botswana
border and in South African townships
.
During South Africa's second democratic election in 1999, the Regiment deployed 180 volunteers in support of the South African Police Service
(SAPS).
In order to re-establish and maintain the Witwatersrand Rifles' Scottish links, the Regiment has formed an alliances with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and the King's Own Scottish Borderers
.
WITWATERSRAND RIFLES
Colonel-in-Chief (This Honorary post officially fell away in 1961 when the Union of South Africa became a Republic)
Honorary Colonels
. The Witwatersrand Rifles has the following battle honours:
- Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the South African Army
South African Army
The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Territorial Army or United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
unit.
History
The Witwatersrand Rifles (often familiarly known as the "Wits Rifles") was formed on 1 May 1903 by members of the Railway Pioneer Regiment and the Rand Rifles, both of which had fought on the BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
side during the Second Anglo-Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
of 1899 - 1902.
As befitted a regiment based from the gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
-rich Witwatersrand
Witwatersrand
The Witwatersrand is a low, sedimentary range of hills, at an elevation of 1700–1800 metres above sea-level, which runs in an east-west direction through Gauteng in South Africa. The word in Afrikaans means "the ridge of white waters". Geologically it is complex, but the principal formations...
region, it had a very close relationship with the mining establishment of the time; and its cap badge further emphasized this link.
The Regiment first saw action during the Bambata Rebellion of 1906, when it deployed a contingent to (the then) Zululand
Zulu Kingdom
The Zulu Kingdom, sometimes referred to as the Zulu Empire or, rather imprecisely, Zululand, was a monarchy in Southern Africa that extended along the coast of the Indian Ocean from the Tugela River in the south to Pongola River in the north....
.
In 1907 the Regiment was further strengthened when it absorbed the Transvaal Light Infantry Regiment.
The regiment was mobilized again when World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
broke out. The first action that it took part in was the South African invasion of German South West Africa (now Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
). After the successful conclusion of this campaign, virtually all members volunteered for overseas service. Most of the volunteers were consequently assigned to the 3rd South African Infantry Battalion. (Due to the South African military law of the time, soldiers could not be forced to serve overseas, nor could existing military units be deployed there.)
The most well-known action that this unit took part in was the Battle of Delville Wood
Delville Wood
The Battle of Delville Wood was one of the early engagements in the 1916 Battle of the Somme in the First World War. It took place between 14 July and 3 September, between the armies of the German Empire and allied British and South African forces...
in the Somme
Somme
Somme is a department of France, located in the north of the country and named after the Somme river. It is part of the Picardy region of France....
. Other members of the regiment served in the Witwatersrand Rifles company of 7 South African Infantry Battalion; this unit which served in German East Africa
German East Africa
German East Africa was a German colony in East Africa, which included what are now :Burundi, :Rwanda and Tanganyika . Its area was , nearly three times the size of Germany today....
against the forces of General von Lettow Vorbeck.
The inter-war years saw the Regiment deployed during the 1922 Rand Revolt
Rand Rebellion
The Rand Rebellion was an armed uprising of white miners in the Witwatersrand region of South Africa, in March 1922, sparked off by their intensified exploitation by their employers. Jimmy Green, a prominent politician in the Labour Party, was one of the leaders of the strike...
, when rebellious outh African Communist Party white miners attempted to overthrow the government of General Jan Smuts
Jan Smuts
Jan Christiaan Smuts, OM, CH, ED, KC, FRS, PC was a prominent South African and British Commonwealth statesman, military leader and philosopher. In addition to holding various cabinet posts, he served as Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa from 1919 until 1924 and from 1939 until 1948...
.
In the early 1930s the Regiment affiliated with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Regiment of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. As a consequence, the Witwatersrand Rifles adopted the uniform and many of the traditions of this Scottish Lowland regiment. Despite the Cameronians' disbandment in 1968, the Wits Rifles still continues this heritage today.
As a result of the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1939, the Regiment was expanded to two battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s. However, due to the battalions being used to supply replacements in a piecemeal fashion to depleted South African units taking part in the North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
n campaign, the Witwatersrand Rifles was only deployed as a coherent unit (to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
) in 1943.
During its service in North Africa, the Witwatersrand Rifles were amalgamated with Regiment de la Rey
Regiment de la Rey
Regiment de la Rey is an infantry battalion of the South African Army. As a reserve force unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States Army National Guard unit.-Formation:...
. This combined Regiment, nicknamed the "Royal Boere", saw extensive action in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
as part of the South African 6th Armoured Division
South African 6th Armoured Division
The South African 6th Armoured Division was the first armoured division in the South African Army and was formed during World War II. Established in 1943, it was based on a nucleus of men from the former South African 1st Infantry Division who had returned to South Africa after the Second Battle...
, particularly at Monte Caprara and Monte Stanco.
From 1970 until the first all-race democratic election in 1994, the Regiment saw action in the South African Border War
South African Border War
The South African Border War, commonly referred to as the Angolan Bush War in South Africa, was a conflict that took place from 1966 to 1989 in South-West Africa and Angola between South Africa and its allied forces on the one side and the Angolan government, South-West Africa People's...
in South West Africa
South West Africa
South-West Africa was the name that was used for the modern day Republic of Namibia during the earlier eras when the territory was controlled by the German Empire and later by South Africa....
(now Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
) and Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
as well as on the South Africa/Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
border and in South African townships
Township (South Africa)
In South Africa, the term township and location usually refers to the urban living areas that, from the late 19th century until the end of Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites . Townships were usually built on the periphery of towns and cities...
.
During South Africa's second democratic election in 1999, the Regiment deployed 180 volunteers in support of the South African Police Service
South African Police Service
The South African Police Service is the national police force of the Republic of South Africa. Its 1116 police stations in South Africa are divided according to the provincial borders, and a Provincial Commissioner is appointed in each province...
(SAPS).
In order to re-establish and maintain the Witwatersrand Rifles' Scottish links, the Regiment has formed an alliances with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and the King's Own Scottish Borderers
King's Own Scottish Borderers
The King's Own Scottish Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division.-History:It was raised on 18 March 1689 by the Earl of Leven to defend Edinburgh against the Jacobite forces of James II. It is said that 800 men were recruited within the space of two hours...
.
Commanding Officers
RAILWAY PIONEER REGIMENT- Lt Col. J.E. Capper, RE (1899–1903) (Later Maj Gen. J.E. Capper, KCB, KCVO)
WITWATERSRAND RIFLES
- Lt Col. J.G. Hamilton, MVO (1903–1905) (Later Hon. Col.)
- Lt Col. T.J. Macfarlane, CMG (1906–1908)
- Lt Col. R.W. Schumacher - Ffennell (1908–1909) (Later Hon. Col.)
- Lt Col. C.B. Saner (1909–1912)
- Lt Col. J.W. Smyth, VD (1912–1919)
- Lt Col. S.B. Schlam (1919–1923)
- Lt Col. R. Dukoff - Gordon, VD (1923–1928)
- Lt Col. W.C.M. Howarth, VD (1928–1931)
- Lt Col. W. Crewe - Brown, VD (1931–1936) & (29.4.1942 - 9.8.1942)
- Lt Col. L.F. Sprenger, DSO, MC, VD (1936–1939)
- Lt Col. W. James, ED (1939–1942) & (10.2.1943 - 5.7.1943)
- Lt Col. H.C. Sumner, MC, MM, VD (9.8.1942 - 20.2.1943)
- Lt Col. W.A.D. Cherrington, VD (2 Bn) (1940–1941) (Later Col. W.A.D. Cherrington, VD)
- Lt Col. J.B. Bester, DSO & Bar (1943–1945) (Later Brig. J.B. Bester, DSO & Bar and Hon Col)
- Lt Col. W.R. Van Der Riet, MC (1945–1946) (Later Lt Gen. W.R. Van Der Riet, SSA, SM, MC and Hon Col.)
- Lt Col. G.M. St.L. Daines, ED (1946–1951)
- Cmdt. C.J.R. Nicholls, ED (1951–1956)
- Cmdt. E.C. Harris, ED (1956–1962)
- Cmdt. C.L. Pitt, JCD (1962–1965)
- Cmdt. R.C. Gradige (1965–1968)
- Cmdt. C.J. Derby - Lewis (1968–1973) (Acting OC: 1967–1968)
- Cmdt. D.C. Fletcher, SM, JCD (1973–1981)
- Cmdt. (Dr.) J.L. Job, SM, MMM, JCD (1981–1986) (Later Hon. Col.)
- Cmdt. A.E. Dixon - Seager, MMM, JCD (1986–1989)
- Lt Col. K.J. Townsend, SM, MMM, JCD (1989–1997)
- Lt Col. E.L. Carton - Barber, JCD (1997–2002) (Later Col. E.L. Carton - Barber, JCD)
- Lt Col. C.E. Casey, JCD (2002–2005)
- Lt Col. M.F. Robberts (2005–2007)
- Lt Col. C. Valentine (2007 - )
Colonel-in-Chief (This Honorary post officially fell away in 1961 when the Union of South Africa became a Republic)
- HM Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) (1947–1961) (unofficially 1947 - 2002)
Honorary Colonels
- Col. Sir, L. Phillips - Bart, VD, (MLA) (1908–1937)
- Col. R.W. Schumacher - Ffennel (1909–1923)
- Col. J.G. Hamilton, MVO (1910)
- Col. The Hon. C.F. StallardCharles StallardColonel the Hon. Charles Frampton Stallard QC, DSO and MC was a South African lawyer, soldier and politician....
, DSO, MC & Bar, ED, QC (MP) (1937–1971) - Brig. J.B. Bester, DSO & Bar (1972–1985)
- Lt Gen. W.R. Van Der Riet, SSA, SM, MC (1985–1988)
- Maj Gen. W.N.A. Barends, SM, MC & Bar (1989–2002)
- Col. (Dr.) J.L. Job, SM, MMM, JCD (2002 - )
Regimental Symbols
- Regimental motto: "Pro Deo et Patria" (For God and Country). This motto was adopted in 1961, when the Republic of South Africa became a republic, prior to 1961 the motto was "Pro Deo et Rege et Patria" (For God, King and Country).
- Regimental march: "Within a Mile O' Edinburgh Town".
- Regimental anniversaries: Regimental Day (1 May), Monte Stanco Day (20 April).
- Regimental Freedoms: GermistonGermiston, GautengGermiston is a city in the East Rand of Gauteng in South Africa. Germiston is now the seat of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality which includes much of the East Rand, and is also considered part of Greater Johannesburg.-History:...
, JohannesburgJohannesburgJohannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, BarbertonBarberton, MpumalangaBarberton is a town in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa, which has its origin in the 1880s gold rush in the region. It is situated in the De Kaap Valley and is fringed by the Mkhonjwa Mountains...
. - Regimental badge: A Maltese crossMaltese crossThe Maltese cross, also known as the Amalfi cross, is identified as the symbol of an order of Christian warriors known as the Knights Hospitaller or Knights of Malta and through them came to be identified with the Mediterranean island of Malta and is one of the National symbols of Malta...
within a wreath of ten ProteaProteaProtea is both the botanical name and the English common name of a genus of flowering plants, sometimes also called sugarbushes.-Etymology:...
flowers, with a rifle on each side of the cross. The cross is surmounted by a stringed bugle and in the centre of the cross is a mine shaft in a circlet. At the top of the wreath is the Cameronian Star and on the base of the wreath is a scroll with the inscription "Pro Deo et Patria". - Regimental headdress: GlengarryGlengarryThe glengarry bonnet is a traditional boat-shaped hat without a peak made of thick-milled woollen material with a toorie on top, a rosette cockade on the left, and ribbons hanging down behind...
or Kilmarnoch with black hackleHackleThe hackle is a clipped feather plume that is attached to a military headdress.In the British Army and the armies of some Commonwealth countries the hackle is worn by some infantry regiments, especially those designated as fusilier regiments and those with Scottish and Northern Irish origins. The...
. - Regimental tartanTartanTartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
: DouglasClan DouglasClan Douglas is an ancient Scottish kindred from the Scottish Lowlands taking its name from Douglas, South Lanarkshire, and thence spreading through the Scottish Borderland, Angus, Lothian and beyond. The clan does not currently have a chief, therefore it is considered an armigerous clan.The...
(trews).
Battle honours
As a Rifle regiment, the Witwatersrand Rifles does not carry colours. Instead the honours banner are displayed on the pipes of the Pipe MajorPipe Major
The Pipe Major is the director of bagpipe music in a Scottish or Irish pipe band. Like Drum Major, the position of Pipe Major is derived from British Army traditions. During the early twentieth century, the term Sergeant Piper was used for the role in place of "Pipe Major".Civillian and military...
. The Witwatersrand Rifles has the following battle honours:
- First World War:
- South West Africa 1914-1915
- Second World War:
- Italy 1944-45
- Cassino II
- Allerona
- Florence
- Monte Querciabella
- Monte Fili
- The Greve
- Gothic Line
- Monte Stanco
- Monte Salvaro
- Sole/Caprara
- Po Valley
- Campo Santo Bridge
Alliances
- The Royal Scots BorderersRoyal Scots Borderers
The Royal Scots Borderers is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.Two infantry regiments ; the Royal Scots and the King's Own Scottish Borderers merged on the 28 March 2006, and with the other Scottish infantry regiments amalgamated into the single seven battalion strong Royal...
- Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)