Traditional Cape Regiments
Encyclopedia
The Traditional Cape Regiments are the five traditional South African Army
Reserve Force (formerly Citizen Force) regiment
s of Cape Town
, South Africa
.
Brief profiles, in chronological order - see also individual articles on the regiments.
in 1913. In World War I, served in the German South West Africa Campaign (1915). The Earl of Athlone
was colonel-in-chief 1930-57. In World War II, served in the East Africa Campaign (1940-41), the North Africa Campaign (1941-42), and the Italy Campaign (1945). Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town in 1967. Served in the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985-90).
in 1913. In World War I, served in the 1914 Rebellion and the German South West Africa Campaign (1915). In World War II, served in the East Africa Campaign (1940-41), the North Africa Campaign (1941-42), and the Italy Campaign (1944-45). Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town in 1967. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985-90).
in 1913. In World War I, served in the German South West Africa Campaign (1915). In World War II, served in the North Africa Campaign (1941-43) and the Italy Campaign (1944-45). Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was colonel-in-chief 1948-61. Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town in 1967. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985-90).
when home defences were reorganised in 1942. Transferred to the South African Artillery in 1949, and to the South African Corps of Marines in 1951. Reverted to the SA Artillery in 1955 and amalgamated into a single unit, 4 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Affiliated with the University of Cape Town
in 1960, and renamed 'UCT Regiment'. Adopted the name (and, apparently, the heritage) of an earlier coast artillery regiment, the Cape Garrison Artillery, in 1974. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985-90). Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town.
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...
Reserve Force (formerly Citizen Force) 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...
s of Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Regiments
These regiments are, in order of precedence:- Cape Field ArtilleryCape Field ArtilleryThe Cape Field Artillery is an artillery 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...
(1857- ) - Cape Garrison ArtilleryCape Garrison ArtilleryThe Cape Garrison Artillery is an artillery regiment of the South African Army. There have been two regiments of the name: one a coast artillery regiment, the other an anti-aircraft regiment. The latter is part of the South African Army Artillery Formation.-1859-1866:The forerunner of the...
(1942- ) - Cape Town RiflesCape Town RiflesThe Cape Town Rifles Regiment is an 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....
(Dukes) (1855- ) - Cape Town HighlandersCape Town Highlanders RegimentThe Cape Town Highlanders Regiment is a mechanised 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.-History:...
(1885- ) - Regiment Westelike ProvinsieRegiment Westelike ProvinsieRegiment Westelike Provincie is a mechanised 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.- History :...
(1934- )
Brief profiles, in chronological order - see also individual articles on the regiments.
Cape Town Rifles (Dukes)
Formed as a volunteer corps in 1855. Served in the 9th Frontier War (1877-78), the Transkei (1879), and the Basutoland Gun War (1880-81). Served in the Bechuanaland Campaign (1897). Served in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Awarded a King's Colour in 1904. Embodied in the Citizen Force of the Union Defence ForcesSouth African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
in 1913. In World War I, served in the German South West Africa Campaign (1915). The Earl of Athlone
Earl of Athlone
The title of Earl of Athlone has been created three times. It was created first in the Peerage of Ireland in 1692 by King William III for the Dutch General Baron Godard van Reede, Lord of Ginkel, to honour him for his successful battles in Ireland. The title also had the subsidiary title of Baron...
was colonel-in-chief 1930-57. In World War II, served in the East Africa Campaign (1940-41), the North Africa Campaign (1941-42), and the Italy Campaign (1945). Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town in 1967. Served in the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985-90).
Cape Field Artillery
Formed as a volunteer corps in 1857. Served in the 9th Frontier War (1877-78), the Northern Border Campaign (1878-79), and the Transkei Campaign (1880-81). Served in the Bechuanaland Campaign (1897). Served in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Awarded a King's Colour (a rare honour for artillery) in 1905. Embodied in the Citizen Force of the Union Defence ForcesSouth African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
in 1913. In World War I, served in the 1914 Rebellion and the German South West Africa Campaign (1915). In World War II, served in the East Africa Campaign (1940-41), the North Africa Campaign (1941-42), and the Italy Campaign (1944-45). Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town in 1967. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985-90).
Cape Town Highlanders
Formed as a volunteer corps in 1885. Served in the Bechuanaland Campaign (1897). Served in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Awarded a King's Colour in 1904. The Duke of Connaught was colonel-in-chief 1908-42. Embodied in the Citizen Force of the Union Defence ForcesSouth African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
in 1913. In World War I, served in the German South West Africa Campaign (1915). In World War II, served in the North Africa Campaign (1941-43) and the Italy Campaign (1944-45). Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was colonel-in-chief 1948-61. Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town in 1967. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985-90).
Regiment Westelike Provincie
Formed as a Citizen Force unit in Stellenbosch in 1934, and regards itself as successor to various volunteer units which existed in that district in the 19th century. In World War II, volunteers from RWP served with the South African Tank Corps in the North Africa Campaign (1941-42). Moved to Paarl in 1948, and converted to armour in 1949. Reverted to infantry in 1960. Divided into two battalions in 1970, the 1st battalion moved to Cape Town in 1974. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985-90). Awarded the Freedom of the City of Cape Town.Cape Garrison Artillery
Originally three Citizen Force anti-aircraft batteries, formed in the South African Air ForceSouth African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
when home defences were reorganised in 1942. Transferred to the South African Artillery in 1949, and to the South African Corps of Marines in 1951. Reverted to the SA Artillery in 1955 and amalgamated into a single unit, 4 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Affiliated with the University of Cape Town
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, and is the oldest university in South Africa and the second oldest extant university in Africa.-History:The roots of...
in 1960, and renamed 'UCT Regiment'. Adopted the name (and, apparently, the heritage) of an earlier coast artillery regiment, the Cape Garrison Artillery, in 1974. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985-90). Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town.