The original and accepted parent unit of the Natal Mounted Rifles is the Royal Durban Rangers which was formed at a meeting of the public in the town of Durban, at Boltbee's Hotel on 23 March 1854. Other ante-cedant units that were then subsequently amalgamated into the NMR since 1854 are as follows:
1854–1869: Royal D'Urban Rangers
1888–1869: Victoria Mounted Rifles
1875–1887: Stanger Mounted Rifles
1865–1888: Alexander Mounted Rifles
1878–1879: Isipingo Mounted Rifles
1873–1888: Durban Mounted Rifles
1884–1888: Umzimkulu Mounted Rifles
Formation
In May 1868 the Regimental Committee of the Durban Mounted Rifles, presided over by Captain WH Addison, held a meeting to discuss the forming of the Natal Mounted Rifles. The formation of the regiment would entail the amalgamation of four Volunteer Units; Royal D'urban Rangers (1854), Victoria Mounted Rifles (1862), Alexander Mounted Rifles (1865) and Durban Mounted Rifles (1873).[1]
Anglo-Boer War
The regiment was re-activated in Durban during February and March 1901 for service in the South African War. It was originally called the 2nd Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment but the name was soon changed to Natal Mounted Infantry. The unit was armed and equipped by the Natal Volunteer Department and horsed by the Imperial Remount Department. The first depot was at Dundee, but, on the unit changing its name, this was transferred to Newcastle.[2]
In 1932 the Regiment's name was simplified to The Natal Mounted Rifles and in 1934 it was converted to infantry. The regiment was mounted for 80 years until July 1934[citation needed] when horses were entirely dispensed with and NMR converted to a machine-gun unit. In January 1934[citation needed] the regiment was re-mustered as an armoured reconnaissance regiment of the 6th South African Armoured Division.
Since the 1994 Democratic Elections, the NMR has undergone several training exercises and continues to recruit members into its ranks. It boasts a Regimental Pipe Band and is affiliated to The King's Own Hussars.
Name change
In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.[5] The Natal Mounted Rifles became the Queen Nandi Mounted Rifles, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.[6]
↑ Kleynhans, E.P. (2014). Armoured Warfare, The South African Experience in East Africa, 1940-1941 (MMil). Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University. hdl:10019.1/95919.
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