South African Ordnance Corps
Encyclopedia
Between the two world wars, the supply and maintenance of all technical stores and equipment, including ammunition and guns, for the Union Defence Force
, was the responsibility of the South African Ordnance Corps.
The corps
was established on 1 February 1923. It included three Permanent Force
ordnance depots and three Active Citizen Force
supply companies. Reorganisation was in progress when the World War II
broke out. In November 1939 the SA Ordnance Corps, the SA Service Corps and the SA Administrative, Pay and Clerical Corps were replaced by the Technical Services Corps and the 'Q' Services Corps
.
The 'Q' Services Corps expanded out of all recognition during the war. It was renamed 'Administrative Services Corps' in 1949, and disbanded in 1975. One of its successors is the present Ordnance Services Corps.
The Technical Services Corps, initially referred to as 'T' Services, acquired responsibility for all technical equipment, from rifles to the heaviest weapons, and for maintenance of vehicles, tanks, guns, etc.
The badge was based on that of the British Board of Ordnance. In 1683 the Board became a Civil Department of State, under a Master General. A shield bearing three field-guns in pale, and three cannon balls in chief was adopted as the Seal of the Board.
From 1923 to 1933, the SAOC badge was the Board of Ordnance shield above a scroll bearing the initials S.A.O.C. and S.A.K.D. (Suid-Afrikaanse Krygsbehoeftediens). From 1933 onwards, the shield was surrounded by a wreath of protea flowers and leaves.
The Board of Ordnance shield was later incorporated into that of the Administrative Service Corps which in turn resembled that of the Royal Logistics Corps.
Union Defence Force
The Union Defence Force may refer to a former or current military organization:* the South African Army from 1912 to 1957* the military of the United Arab Emirates...
, was the responsibility of the South African Ordnance Corps.
The corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
was established on 1 February 1923. It included three Permanent Force
Permanent Force
The Permanent Force was an integral part of both the South African Defence Force and the South West Africa Territorial Force and other British Commonwealth militaries. It consisted of all the full time volunteers, volunteers of auxiliaries and national servicemen....
ordnance depots and three Active Citizen Force
Citizen Force
The Citizen Force was the name of the general military reserve force of several British Commonwealth countries.-Australian:Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and,...
supply companies. Reorganisation was in progress when the 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...
broke out. In November 1939 the SA Ordnance Corps, the SA Service Corps and the SA Administrative, Pay and Clerical Corps were replaced by the Technical Services Corps and the 'Q' Services Corps
Q Services Corps (South Africa)
The establishment of the 'Q' Services Corps as part of the South African Permanent Force was promulgated in the Government Gazette dated 10 November 1939.-Formation:...
.
The 'Q' Services Corps expanded out of all recognition during the war. It was renamed 'Administrative Services Corps' in 1949, and disbanded in 1975. One of its successors is the present Ordnance Services Corps.
The Technical Services Corps, initially referred to as 'T' Services, acquired responsibility for all technical equipment, from rifles to the heaviest weapons, and for maintenance of vehicles, tanks, guns, etc.
Badge
From 1923 to 1933, the SAOC badge was the Board of Ordnance shield above a scroll bearing the initials S.A.O.C. and S.A.K.D. (Suid-Afrikaanse Krygsbehoeftediens). From 1933 onwards, the shield was surrounded by a wreath of protea flowers and leaves.
The Board of Ordnance shield was later incorporated into that of the Administrative Service Corps which in turn resembled that of the Royal Logistics Corps.