Durban Light Infantry
Durban Light Infantry | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Active | May 1854 to present | ||||||||||||||||||||
Country | South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Allegiance |
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Branch |
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Type | Infantry | ||||||||||||||||||||
Role | Motorised infantry | ||||||||||||||||||||
Size | One battalion | ||||||||||||||||||||
Part of | South African Infantry Formation Army Conventional Reserve | ||||||||||||||||||||
Garrison/HQ | DLI Avenue, Durban 29°50′50″S 31°0′57″E / 29.84722°S 31.01583°ECoordinates: 29°50′50″S 31°0′57″E / 29.84722°S 31.01583°E | ||||||||||||||||||||
Motto(s) | Primus in Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Battle honours |
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Commanders | |||||||||||||||||||||
Current commander | Lieut Col Z. Hangana | ||||||||||||||||||||
Honorary Colonel | Vacant Post | ||||||||||||||||||||
Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Company level Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||
SA Mechanised Infantry beret bar circa 1992 |
The Durban Light Infantry is a Motorised Infantry regiment of the South African Army. It lost its status as a Mechanised infantry regiment in 2010 in line with the rationalisation of resources. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit.[1]
History[]
Origin[]
The Regiment was formed as the D’Urban Volunteer Guard, in May 1854. In 1859 the unit became the Durban Rifle Guard. In 1873 the unit became known as the Royal Durban Rifles. In 1889 the unit became known as the Natal Royal Rifles (Left half Battalion). In 1895 it became the Durban Light Infantry.
With the Union Defence Force[]
On the constitution of the Union Defence Force in 1912, the Unit became the Durban Light Infantry, renamed the 1st Infantry, (Durban Light Infantry). In consequence the Unit was permitted to add to its badge "Primus in Africa", the motto retained by the unit today in recognition of its foundation.
Seniority[]
In 1935, King George V conferred the title Royal on two Regiments being the Royal Durban Light Infantry and the Royal Natal Carbineers, as a recognition of their seniority and service.[2]
In 1961 with the formation of the Republic, the title "Royal" was considered incompatible and the Regiment reverted to being the Durban Light Infantry.
Regimental Colours[]
At the centre of the 'Regimental Colour' is the badge worn by the Regiment since 1961. It consists of the recognised Infantry Silver Bugle with tassels and a shield with two wildebeest and a crown. The wildebeest are symbolic of the Province, while the crown retained as a traditional device is reminiscent of the title "Royal" bestowed upon the Regiment by King George V in 1935.
The words "Primus in Africa" are superimposed within a scroll.
The crest is composed of a lion passant guardant on three mounds – the centre mound being charged with a pyramid. The lion is symbolic of strength, courage and fortitude. The three mounds are symbolic of the battles fought in World War II – , and . The pyramid is symbolic of the 1941–1943 Egyptian Campaign.
The garland which surrounds the coloured badge comprises the Thistle of Scotland, the Tudor Rose of England and the Shamrock of Ireland – symbols taken from the old colour – and the other two flowers, the Protea, the National flower of South Africa, and the Strelitzia, the flower of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal).
Previous Dress Insignia[]
Current Dress Insignia[]
Active Service[]
- South Africa, Anglo-Zulu War 1879
- South Africa, Anglo-Boer War 1899–1902
- Relief of Ladysmith 1900
- Natal, Bambatha Rebellion 1906
- South West Africa 1914–1915
- East Africa 1916–1918
- Rand Miners' Revolt 1922
- World War II
- Western Desert 1941–1943 (See 1st SA Infantry Division)
- Bardia
- Gazala
- Alamein Defence
- Alamein Box
- El Alamein
- Italy 1944–1945
- Casino II
- Florence
- Gothic Line
- Monte Stanco
- Monte Pezza
- Sole/Caprara
- Po Valley
- South West Africa – Namibia 1976–1994, five tours.
- Internally in South Africa in support of the SAPS (SA. Police Service) in the following actions;
- 1949, 1960, 1961
- 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992 (mainly rural areas)
- 1994 Elections.
- 1996 Elections.
- 1999 Elections.
- 2006 Op in Burundi. Detached members to Standing Army control structures.
- 2007–2014. Internal operations.
Leadership[]
From | Colonels-In-Chief | To |
1905 | Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn KG KT KP GCB GCSI GCMG GCIE GCVO GBE VD TD | 1938 |
1947 | HM Queen Elizabeth II | 1961 |
From | Honorary Colonels | To |
1903 | Maj General Sir KCB CMG | 1913 |
1914 | Col the Hon. Sir Matthew Nathan GCMG PC | 1939 |
1940 | Brig General DSO VD | 1959 |
1960 | Col SSA JCD ED JP | 2004 |
2005 | Col | 2013 |
2013 | Awaiting Nomination | Present |
From | Commanding Officers of the Regiment | To |
From | OC Durban Volunteer Guard | To |
25 December 2021 | Colonel, the Hon George Rutherford | 25 December 2021 |
From | OC Durban Rifle Guard | To |
25 December 2021 | Colonel HJ Meller | 25 December 2021 |
1863 | Major AW Evans | 25 December 2021 |
1866 | Capt BW Greenacre | 25 December 2021 |
From | OC Royal Durban Rifles | To |
25 December 2021 | Capt Edward Randles | 25 December 2021 |
1874 | Capt William Randles | 25 December 2021 |
1879 | Capt PS Flack | 25 December 2021 |
1884 | Capt JF King | 25 December 2021 |
1886 | Capt T McCubbin | 25 December 2021 |
From | OC Natal Royal Rifles | To |
1889 | Major T McCubbin | 25 December 2021 |
1893 | Major HR Bousfield | 25 December 2021 |
From | OC Durban Light Infantry | To |
25 December 2021 | Lt Col T McCubbin MG VD | 25 December 2021 |
1902 | Lt Col J Scott-Wylie MVO VD | 25 December 2021 |
1914 | Col J Scott-Wylie MVO VD | 25 December 2021 |
1914 | Lt Col J Dick VD (Second Battalion) | 1915 |
1914 | Lt Col RL Goulding VD (First Battalion) | 1915 |
1915 | Lieut Col GMJ Molyneux DSO VD (First Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1915 | Col J Scott-Wylie DSO MVO VD | 25 December 2021 |
1920 | Lt Col GMJ Molyneux DSO VD | 25 December 2021 |
1925 | Lieut Col JFR Lauth DSO VD | 25 December 2021 |
1930 | Lieut Col CE Borain MC VD | 25 December 2021 |
From | OC Royal Durban Light Infantry | To |
1935 | Lt Col CE Borain MC VD | 25 December 2021 |
1936 | Lt Col IW Nolan VD (First Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1936 | Lt Col LGC Bayliss VD (Second Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1937 | Lt Col J Butler-Porter VD (1/2 Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1940 | Lt Col LC Wendt VD (Second Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1942 | Lt Col J Butler-Porter DSO VD (1/2 Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1943 | Lt Col C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED JP (1/2 Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1946 | Lt Col C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED JP (First Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1946 | Lt Col LC Wendt DSO VD (Second Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1947 | Lt Col AC Martin MC VD (Second Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1950 | Cmdt OS Hampson VD (Second Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1952 | Cmdt C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED VD JP | 25 December 2021 |
1952 | Cmdt OS Hampson VD | 25 December 2021 |
1956 | Cmdt G Jaaback VD | 25 December 2021 |
1961 | Cmdt JH Smallwood JCD | 25 December 2021 |
From | Durban Light Infantry | To |
c. 1961 | Cmdt JH Smallwood SM JCD | c. 1969 |
1969 | Cmdt DN Deavin JCD | 25 December 2021 |
1974 | Cmdt JJ Hulme JCD | 25 December 2021 |
1980 | Cmdt MJ Adrain MMM JCD | 25 December 2021 |
1984 | Cmdt DI Moe SM MMM JCD | 25 December 2021 |
1989 | Cmdt WJ Olivier SM MMM JCD | 25 December 2021 |
1995 | Lt Col GPD De Ricquebourg MMM JCD | 25 December 2021 |
2004 | Lt Col Mark J Whitson MMM JCD | 25 December 2021 |
2011 | Lieut Col PH Bruyns | 25 December 2021 |
2012 | Lt Col SA Mbuyazi (Suspended)[a] | 25 December 2021 |
2012 | Lt Col MD Motsamai (Caretaker OC)[b] | 25 December 2021 |
25 December 2021 | Lieut Col Z. Hangana | Present |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
From | Durban Volunteer Guard | To |
25 December 2021 | G Russell | 25 December 2021 |
From | Durban Rifle Guard | To |
1861 | A Miliett | 1862 |
1862 | T Green | 1863 |
1863 | WK Packman | 1864 |
1864 | A Curle | 1866 |
1866 | W Geere | 25 December 2021 |
From | Royal Durban Rifles | To |
1873 | AJ Court | 1873 |
1873 | DI Nolan | 1876 |
1876 | SB Kemp | 1877 |
1877 | W Goodal | 1880 |
1880 | J Archibald | 1886 |
1886 | H Hatchell | 25 December 2021 |
From | Natal Royal Rifles | To |
25 December 2021 | A Forbes | 25 December 2021 |
From | Durban Light Infantry | To |
1895 | RSM A Forbes | 1910 |
1910 | RSM AL Pepper | 1913 |
1913 | RSM A Eales | 1914 |
1914 | RSM A Eales (First Battalion) | 1915 |
1914 | RSM WJ Simpson (Second Battalion) | 1915 |
1915 | RSM A Eales | 1926 |
1927 | RSM G Sime | 1931 |
1932 | RSM PH Johnson | 1933 |
1933 | RSM CA Carlyle | 25 December 2021 |
From | Royal Durban Light Infantry | To |
1933 | RSM CA Carlyle | 1935 |
1936 | RSM CA Carlyle (First Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1942 | RSM LPA Boxhall | 25 December 2021 |
1936 | RSM JWH McGreavey (Second Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1942 | RSM LPA Boxhall (1/2 Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1943 | RSM NJR Punch (1/2 Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1946 | RSM LPA Boxhall (First Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1948 | RSM JF Potgieter (First Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1946 | RSM J.E. Law (Second Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
1950 | RSM W.H. Ward (Second Battalion) | 25 December 2021 |
25 December 2021 | RSM J.F. Potgieter ED | 25 December 2021 |
1956 | RSM J.J. Wiliemse | 25 December 2021 |
1957 | RSM C. Krause | 25 December 2021 |
1959 | RSM A.R. Miles | 25 December 2021 |
From | Durban Light Infantry | To |
1962 | RSM A.R. Miles JCD | 1968 |
1968 | RSM S.M.J. Swanepoel JCD | 1974 |
1974 | RSM R.I. Francis PMM MMM JCD | 1993 |
1993 | RSM Mark J. Whitson MMM JCD (later Commanding Officer) | 1995 |
1995 | RSM W.J. Smith MMM JCD | 1999 |
2000 | RSM Bobby Freeman JCD | 2005 |
2005 | RSM Quentin Lategan MMM | 2005 |
2006 | RSM "Ampie" Vorster | 2011 |
2011 | RSM Vilikazi | Present |
Regimental Headquarters[]
The regimental headquarters of the DLI has been declared as a National Monument.[4]
East Wing of the Drill Hall
Durban Light Infantry (DLI) HQ entrance detail of logo, Durban
RDLI Bowling Club Entrance
DLI Logo Window - Sgts Mess
DLI Consecrated Flag
DLI Clock Tower
DLI Clock Tower Plaque
Peacekeeping deployments and training[]
The Regiment is being deployed in Africa, Burundi, DRC; in support of the United Nations and African Union mandate
All members of the Regiment are volunteers, with employment in the civilian roles, they fulfil their responsibilities and duties on top of their duties and responsibilities to their Families and Employers. An enormous commitment to the safety and security of the Republic of South Africa.
Training is mandatory with the current requirements of Equality and Equity in line with the SANDF Policy. The duration of training places an enormous pressure on members to get Employers to relieve them to attend the courses and training exercises.
Regimental history[]
"Durban Light Infantry" by Lieut Col AC Martin MC VD BA (Cape) Hon.PhD (Natal) was published in 1969.[1][2] It is out of print.
An illustrated history of the 150 years of the Regiment has been prepared by , Mr Dave Matthews and Lieut Col "Bill" Olivier SM MMM JCD (Retd.). The book is being sold by the Headquarters Board.
Affiliations[]
- United Kingdom – The Rifle Brigade 1920.
- United Kingdom – The Royal Green Jackets RGJ 1966
Notes[]
References[]
- ^ a b Martin, Lt Col A. C. (1969). "Volume I: 1854–1934". The History of the Durban Light Infantry incorporating that of The Sixth South African Infantry 1915–1918. Durban: The Headquarter Board of the Durban Light Infantry.
- ^ a b Martin, Lt Col A. C. (1969). "Volume II: 1935–1960". The History of the Durban Light Infantry incorporating that of The Sixth South African Infantry 1915–1917. Durban: The Headquarter Board of the Durban Light Infantry.
- ^ Gibson, Erika (1 October 2012). "CO of Durban Light Infantry in medals scandal". The Witness. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
THE commanding officer-designate of Durban Light Infantry (DLI) is being prosecuted for allegedly wearing the medals of a deceased chaplain of the unit during a parade. Lieutenant-Colonel Sibusiso Amos Mbuyazi (42) apparently wore the padre’s Southern Cross medal, awarded for 30 years' service, and the Pro Patria decoration, among others, on August 22, when he was awarded his lieutenant-colonel’s rank during a parade in Pretoria.
- ^ "SAHRA – Durban Light Infantry Head Quarters 5 DLI Avenue Durban". SAHRA. South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
External links[]
- Infantry regiments of South Africa
- Military units and formations in Durban
- Military units and formations of the Cold War
- Military units and formations of the Second Boer War
- Military units and formations of the British Empire
- Military units and formations of South Africa in World War II
- Military units and formations of South Africa in World War I
- Military units and formations of South Africa in the Border War
- Military units and formations established in 1854
- 1854 establishments in the British Empire