Durban Light Infantry

Last updated

Durban Light Infantry
SANDF Durban Light Infantry emblem.jpg
SANDF Durban Light Infantry emblem
ActiveMay 1854 to present
CountrySouth Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Infantry
RoleMotorised infantry
SizeOne battalion
Part of South African Infantry Formation
Army Conventional Reserve
Garrison/HQDLI Avenue, Durban 29°50′50″S31°0′57″E / 29.84722°S 31.01583°E / -29.84722; 31.01583
Motto(s)Primus in Africa
Battle honours
  • South Africa 1879
  • South Africa 1899–1902
  • Relief of Ladysmith
  • Natal 1906
  • South West Africa 1914–1915
  • Western Desert 1941–43
  • Bardia
  • Gazala
  • Alamein Defence
  • Alamein Box
  • El Alamein
  • Italy 1944–45
  • Casino II
  • Florence
  • Gothic Line
  • Monte Stanco
  • Monte Pezza
  • Sole/Caprara
  • Po Valley
Commanders
Current
commander
Lieut Col Z. Hangana
Honorary ColonelVacant Post
Insignia
Company level Insignia SA Army Company Insignia.png
SA Mechanised Infantry beret bar circa 1992 SA mechanised infantry beret bar circa 1992.jpg

The Durban Light Infantry is a Motorised Infantry regiment of the South African Army. It lost its status as a Mechanised infantry regiment in 2010 in line with the rationalisation of resources. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit. [1]

Contents

History

The full history of the regiment is recounted in an exhaustive but vivid and readable two-volume history by Lt.Col A.C.Martin, M.C.,V.D.,B.A.(Cape), Hon Ph.D (Natal). The first volume (368 pages) cover the period 1854-1934, and the second (487 pages) the period 1935-1960. The volumes are illustrated with over 100 photographs and maps. [2] , [3] .

Origin

The Regiment was formed as the D’Urban Volunteer Guard, in May 1854. In 1859 the unit became the Durban Rifle Guard. In 1873 the unit became known as the Royal Durban Rifles. In 1889 the unit became known as the Natal Royal Rifles (Left half Battalion). In 1895 it became the Durban Light Infantry.

With the Union Defence Force

On the constitution of the Union Defence Force in 1912, the Unit became the Durban Light Infantry, renamed the 1st Infantry, (Durban Light Infantry). In consequence the Unit was permitted to add to its badge "Primusin Africa", the motto retained by the unit today in recognition of its foundation.

Seniority

In 1935, King George V conferred the title Royal on two Regiments being the Royal Durban Light Infantry and the Royal Natal Carbineers, as a recognition of their seniority and service. [4]

In 1961 with the formation of the Republic, the title "Royal" was considered incompatible and the Regiment reverted to being the Durban Light Infantry.

Regimental Colours

At the centre of the 'Regimental Colour' is the badge worn by the Regiment since 1961. It consists of the recognised Infantry Silver Bugle with tassels and a shield with two wildebeest and a crown. The wildebeest are symbolic of the Province, while the crown retained as a traditional device is reminiscent of the title "Royal" bestowed upon the Regiment by King George V in 1935.

The words "Primusin Africa" are superimposed within a scroll.

The crest is composed of a lion passant guardant on three mounds – the centre mound being charged with a pyramid. The lion is symbolic of strength, courage and fortitude. The three mounds are symbolic of the battles fought in World War II – Monte Stanco, Monte Peza and Monte Sole/Caprara. The pyramid is symbolic of the 1941–1943 Egyptian Campaign.

The garland which surrounds the coloured badge comprises the Thistle of Scotland, the Tudor Rose of England and the Shamrock of Ireland – symbols taken from the old colour – and the other two flowers, the Protea, the National flower of South Africa, and the Strelitzia, the flower of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal).

Previous Dress Insignia

Durban Light Infantry Crest Durban Light Infantry (DLI) Crest Colour.svg
Durban Light Infantry Crest
SADF and UDF eras Durban Light Infantry insignia SADF and UDF era Durban Light Infantry insignia.jpg
SADF and UDF eras Durban Light Infantry insignia
Helmet Flash - Royal Durban Light Infantry (RDLI) - 1923 - 1942 Flash-RDLI-1923-1942.svg
Helmet Flash - Royal Durban Light Infantry (RDLI) - 1923 - 1942

Current Dress Insignia

SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia.jpg
SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia

Active Service

Battle Honours

Battle Honours
Awarded to Durban Light Infantry
South Africa 1879 Embroidered.png
South Africa 1899-1902 Embroidered.png
Relief of Ladysmith Embroidered.png
Natal 1906 Embroidered.png
South West Africa 1914-1915 Embroidered.png
Western Desert 1941-43 Embroidered.png
Bardia Embroidered.png
Gazala Embroidered.png
Alamein Defence Embroidered.png
Alamein Box Embroidered.png
El Alamein Embroidered.png
Italy 1944-45 Embroidered.png
Casino II Embroidered.png
Florence Embroidered.png
Gothic Line Embroidered.png
Monte Stanco Embroidered.png
Monte Pezza Embroidered.png
Sole-Caprara Embroidered.png
Po Valley Embroidered.png

Service

  1. South Africa, Anglo-Zulu War 1879
  2. South Africa, Anglo-Boer War 18991902
  3. Relief of Ladysmith 1900
  4. Natal, Bambatha Rebellion 1906
  5. South West Africa 19141915
  6. East Africa 19161918
  7. Rand Miners' Revolt 1922
  8. World War II
    1. Western Desert 19411943 (See 1st SA Infantry Division)
    2. Bardia
    3. Gazala
    4. Alamein Defence
    5. Alamein Box
    6. El Alamein
    7. Italy 19441945
    8. Casino II
    9. Florence
    10. Gothic Line
    11. Monte Stanco
    12. Monte Pezza
    13. Sole/Caprara
    14. Po Valley
  9. South West Africa – Namibia 19761994, five tours.
  10. Internally in South Africa in support of the SAPS (SA. Police Service) in the following actions;
    1. 1949, 1960, 1961
    2. 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992 (mainly rural areas)
    3. 1994 Elections.
    4. 1996 Elections.
    5. 1999 Elections.
  11. 2006 Op in Burundi. Detached members to Standing Army control structures.
  12. 20072014. Internal operations.

Leadership

Leadership
FromColonels-In-ChiefTo
1905 Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn KG KT KP GCB GCSI GCMG GCIE GCVO GBE VD TD 1938
1947HM Queen Elizabeth II 1961
FromHonorary ColonelsTo
1903Maj General Sir George Dartnell KCB CMG 1913
1914Col the Hon. Sir Matthew Nathan GCMG PC 1939
1940Brig General GMJ Molyneux DSO VD 1959
1960Col C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED JP 2004
2005Col Errol Richardson 2013
2013Awaiting NominationPresent
FromCommanding Officers of the RegimentTo
FromOC Durban Volunteer GuardTo
ndColonel, the Hon George Rutherfordnd
FromOC Durban Rifle GuardTo
ndColonel HJ Mellernd
1863Major AW Evansnd
1866Capt BW Greenacrend
FromOC Royal Durban RiflesTo
ndCapt Edward Randlesnd
1874Capt William Randlesnd
1879Capt PS Flacknd
1884Capt JF Kingnd
1886Capt T McCubbinnd
FromOC Natal Royal RiflesTo
1889Major T McCubbinnd
1893Major HR Bousfieldnd
FromOC Durban Light InfantryTo
ndLt Col T McCubbin MG VD nd
1902Lt Col J Scott-Wylie MVO VD nd
1914Col J Scott-Wylie MVO VD nd
1914Lt Col J Dick VD (Second Battalion)1915
1914Lt Col RL Goulding VD (First Battalion)1915
1915Lieut Col GMJ Molyneux DSO VD (First Battalion)nd
1915Col J Scott-Wylie DSO MVO VD nd
1920Lt Col GMJ Molyneux DSO VD nd
1925Lieut Col JFR Lauth DSO VD nd
1930Lieut Col CE Borain MC VD nd
FromOC Royal Durban Light InfantryTo
1935Lt Col CE Borain MC VD nd
1936Lt Col IW Nolan VD (First Battalion)nd
1936Lt Col LGC Bayliss VD (Second Battalion)nd
1937Lt Col J Butler-Porter VD (1/2 Battalion)nd
1940Lt Col LC Wendt VD (Second Battalion)nd
1942Lt Col J Butler-Porter DSO VD (1/2 Battalion)nd
1943Lt Col C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED JP (1/2 Battalion)nd
1946Lt Col C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED JP (First Battalion)nd
1946Lt Col LC Wendt DSO VD (Second Battalion)nd
1947Lt Col AC Martin MC VD (Second Battalion)nd
1950Cmdt OS Hampson VD (Second Battalion)nd
1952Cmdt C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED VD JP nd
1952Cmdt OS Hampson VD nd
1956Cmdt G Jaaback VD nd
1961Cmdt JH Smallwood JCD nd
FromDurban Light InfantryTo
c.1961Cmdt JH Smallwood SM JCD c.1969
1969Cmdt DN Deavin JCD nd
1974Cmdt JJ Hulme JCD nd
1980Cmdt MJ Adrain MMM JCD nd
1984Cmdt DI Moe SM MMM JCD nd
1989Cmdt WJ Olivier SM MMM JCD nd
1995Lt Col GPD De Ricquebourg MMM JCD nd
2004Lt Col Mark J Whitson MMM JCD nd
2011Lieut Col PH Bruynsnd
2012Lt Col SA Mbuyazi (Suspended) [lower-alpha 1] nd
2012Lt Col MD Motsamai (Caretaker OC) [lower-alpha 2] nd
ndLieut Col Z. HanganaPresent
FromRegimental Sergeants MajorTo
FromDurban Volunteer GuardTo
ndG Russellnd
FromDurban Rifle GuardTo
1861A Miliett1862
1862T Green1863
1863WK Packman1864
1864A Curle1866
1866W Geerend
FromRoyal Durban RiflesTo
1873AJ Court1873
1873DI Nolan1876
1876SB Kemp1877
1877W Goodal1880
1880J Archibald1886
1886H Hatchellnd
FromNatal Royal RiflesTo
ndA Forbesnd
FromDurban Light InfantryTo
1895RSM A Forbes1910
1910RSM AL Pepper1913
1913RSM A Eales1914
1914RSM A Eales (First Battalion)1915
1914RSM WJ Simpson (Second Battalion)1915
1915RSM A Eales1926
1927RSM G Sime1931
1932RSM PH Johnson1933
1933RSM CA Carlylend
FromRoyal Durban Light InfantryTo
1933RSM CA Carlyle1935
1936RSM CA Carlyle (First Battalion)nd
1942RSM LPA Boxhallnd
1936RSM JWH McGreavey (Second Battalion)nd
1942RSM LPA Boxhall (1/2 Battalion)nd
1943RSM NJR Punch (1/2 Battalion)nd
1946RSM LPA Boxhall (First Battalion)nd
1948RSM JF Potgieter (First Battalion)nd
1946RSM J.E. Law (Second Battalion)nd
1950RSM W.H. Ward (Second Battalion)nd
ndRSM J.F. Potgieter ED nd
1956RSM J.J. Wiliemsend
1957RSM C. Krausend
1959RSM A.R. Milesnd
FromDurban Light InfantryTo
1962RSM A.R. Miles JCD 1968
1968RSM S.M.J. Swanepoel JCD 1974
1974WO1 R.I. Francis PMM MMM JCD 1993
1993WO1 Mark J. Whitson MMM JCD [lower-alpha 3] 1995
1995WO1 W.J. Smith MMM JCD 1999
2000WO1 Bobby Freeman JCD [lower-alpha 4] 2005
2005WO1 Quentin Lategan MMM 2005
2006WO1 "Ampie" Vorster2011
2011MWO VilikaziPresent

Regimental Headquarters

The regimental headquarters of the DLI has been declared as a National Monument. [6]

Peacekeeping deployments and training

The Regiment is being deployed in Africa, Burundi, DRC; in support of the United Nations and African Union mandate

All members of the Regiment are volunteers, with employment in the civilian roles, they fulfil their responsibilities and duties on top of their duties and responsibilities to their Families and Employers. An enormous commitment to the safety and security of the Republic of South Africa.

Training is mandatory with the current requirements of Equality and Equity in line with the SANDF Policy. The duration of training places an enormous pressure on members to get Employers to relieve them to attend the courses and training exercises.

Regimental history

Martin, Lieut Col A.C. MC VD BA (Cape) Hon.PhD (Natal) (1969). Durban Light Infantry: The History of the Durban Light Infantry Incorporating that of the Sixth South African Infantry, 1915 to 1917. DLI Headquarter Board.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) was published in 1969. [1] [4] It is out of print.

An illustrated history of the 150 years of the Regiment has been prepared by Prof. Brian Kearney, Mr Dave Matthews and Lieut Col "Bill" Olivier SM MMM JCD (Retd.). The book is being sold by the Headquarters Board.

Affiliations

Notes

  1. Suspended following allegations of wearing awards and decorations not received & possession of stolen property [5]
  2. Lt Col Motsamai is currently [ when? ] the Commanding Officer of another Reserve Force Unit based in Gauteng
  3. later Commanding Officer
  4. Later RSM of Natal Mounted Rifles

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References

  1. 1 2 Martin, Lt Col A. C. (1969). The History of the Durban Light Infantry incorporating that of The Sixth South African Infantry 1915–1918. Vol. I: 1854–1934. Durban: The Headquarter Board (Durban Light Infantry).
  2. Martin, Lieut Col A.C. MC VD BA (Cape) Hon.PhD (Natal) (1969). Durban Light Infantry: The History of the Durban Light Infantry Incorporating that of the Sixth South African Infantry, 1915 to 1917
  3. Martin, Lieut Col A.C. MC VD BA (Cape) Hon.PhD (Natal) (1969). Durban Light Infantry: The History of the Durban Light Infantry Incorporating that of the Sixth South African Infantry, 1935 to 1960
  4. 1 2 Martin, Lt Col A. C. (1969). The History of the Durban Light Infantry incorporating that of The Sixth South African Infantry 1915–1917. Vol. II: 1935–1960. Durban: The Headquarter Board of the Durban Light Infantry.
  5. Gibson, Erika (1 October 2012). "CO of Durban Light Infantry in medals scandal". The Witness. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014. THE commanding officer-designate of Durban Light Infantry (DLI) is being prosecuted for allegedly wearing the medals of a deceased chaplain of the unit during a parade. Lieutenant-Colonel Sibusiso Amos Mbuyazi (42) apparently wore the padre's Southern Cross medal, awarded for 30 years' service, and the Pro Patria decoration, among others, on August 22, when he was awarded his lieutenant-colonel's rank during a parade in Pretoria.
  6. "SAHRA – Durban Light Infantry Head Quarters 5 DLI Avenue Durban". SAHRA. South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.