Kimberley Commando

Last updated

Kimberley Commando
SADF era Kimberly Commando Insignia.jpg
Kimberly Commando insignia
Active1964-2003
CountryFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Infantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part of South African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ Kimberley

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.

Contents

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

Leadership
FromHonorary ColonelsTo
FromCommanding OfficersTo
1936Lt Col J.C. O'Ehleynd
1942Maj S.J. Scottnd
1964Lt Col De Jagernd
ndCommandant H.L. Herholdtnd
1970Commandant P.G. Slabbertnd
1974Commandant M.K. Britsnd
1976Commandant F. Schrecknd
FromRegimental Sergeants MajorTo

Unit insignia

SADF era Kimberly Commando insignia ver 2 SADF era Kimberly Commando insignia ver 2.jpg
SADF era Kimberly Commando insignia ver 2

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloemfontein City Commando</span> Military unit

Bloemfontein City Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Infantry Corps as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bothaville Commando</span> Military unit

Bothaville 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East London Commando</span> Military unit

East London 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graaff-Reinet Commando</span> Military unit

Graaff-Reinet 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Griqualand-East Commando</span> Military unit

Griqualand East 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrismith Commando</span> Military unit

Harrismith 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hay Commando</span> Military unit

Hay 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winburg Commando</span> Military unit

Winburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weenen-Kliprivier Commando</span> Military unit

Weenen-Kliprivier 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rustenburg Commando</span> Military unit

Rustenburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hopetown Commando</span> Military unit

Hopetown 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johannesburg East Commando</span> Military unit

Johannesburg East 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lichtenburg Commando</span> Light infantry regiment of the South African Army

Lichtenburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magdol Commando</span> Military unit

Magol 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middelburg Commando</span> Military unit

Middelburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piet Retief Commando</span> Military unit

Piet Retief 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pietersburg Commando</span> Military unit

Pietersburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potchefstroom Commando</span> Military unit

Potchefstroom 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heidelberg Commando</span> Military unit

Heidelberg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterberg Commando</span> Light infantry regiment of the South African Army

Waterberg 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.

References

  1. "Anglo Boer War - Kimberley Town Guard".
  2. 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)
  3. "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  4. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'" . Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also