4th SA Infantry Regiment
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: Syntax, spelling and referencing issues. (July 2017) |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2012) |
4th SA Infantry Regiment | |
---|---|
Active | 1914-1918 |
Allegiance |
|
Branch |
|
Size | Regiment |
Part of |
|
Motto(s) | “Mors Lucrum Mihi” (Death is my reward) |
Battle honours |
|
4th SA Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the South African Army, during World War One.
History[]
Origin[]
To join the British Imperial Forces for the war in Europe, the South African Infantry Regiment was raised (also known as the South African Scottish) because the 1912 Defence Act restricted its Active Defence Force from operating outside South Africa.
Volunteers[]
The regiment's companies were formed from volunteers from various units:
- A Company mainly from volunteers of the Cape Town Highlanders Regiment.
- B Company mainly from volunteers of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment's 1st Battalion.
- C Company mainly from volunteers of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment's 2nd Battalion and
- D Company from Caledonian Societies of the Free State and Natal.
Totalling 160 officers and 5648 other ranks, the regiment embarked for England from Cape Town and were quartered at Bordon in Hampshire for about two months for refresher training.
Command[]
The 4th SA Infantry Regiment and the larger South African Brigade initially served with the British 9th (Scottish) Division. Following the Brigades decimation in March 1918, it was reconstituted and incorporated in September into the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division until the end of the War.
Engagements[]
After a short campaign in North Africa against a Turkish attack on the Suez Canal the SA Scottish were sent to France. Here they took part in the Battle of Delville Wood as part of the battle of the Somme in 1916. Between July 12 and 19th the total casualty rate was about 74% of those who went into action. By the end of July, the SA Scottish had suffered 868 casualties. After Delville Wood, the shattered SA Scottish were reformed and served on the Western Front in particular at Vimy Ridge, the Somme, the battle of Passchendale, Marrieres Wood, and the battle of Messines.
Leadership[]
Lt Colonel F.A. Jones, DSO
Regimental emblems[]
The regiments collar badge were identical to those of the Cape Town Highlanders except they bore a different motto in Latin “Mors Lucrum Mihi” (Death is my reward) which was the family motto of the Regiments Commanding Officer, Lt Colonel F.A. Jones. The regiment was a kilted unit, wearing the Murray of Athol tartan.
Dress Insignia[]
References[]
http://www.1914-1918.net/south_africa.html The South African Forces in France, Imperial War Museum, ISBN 0901627895
- Infantry regiments of South Africa
- Military units and formations established in 1914
- South African Army
- Military units and formations disestablished in 1918