Durban Light Infantry

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Royal Durban Light Infantry)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Use South African English Template:Use dmy dates

Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Short description

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

The full history of the regiment is recounted in an exhaustive but vivid and readable two-volume history by Lt.Col A.C.Martin, M.C.,V.D.,B.A.(Cape), Hon Ph.D (Natal). The first volume (368 pages) cover the period 1854-1934, and the second (487 pages) the period 1935-1960. The volumes are illustrated with over 100 photographs and maps.[2][3]

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 "Script error: No such module "Lang". 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.[4]

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 "Script error: No such module "Lang". 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 – Monte Stanco, Monte Peza and Monte Sole/Caprara. 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

File:Durban Light Infantry (DLI) Crest Colour.svg
Durban Light Infantry Crest
File:SADF and UDF era Durban Light Infantry insignia.jpg
SADF and UDF eras Durban Light Infantry insignia
File:Flash-RDLI-1923-1942.svg
Helmet Flash - Royal Durban Light Infantry (RDLI) - 1923 - 1942

Current Dress Insignia

File:SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia.jpg
SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia

Active Service

Battle Honours

Template:BattleHonour

Service

  1. South Africa, Anglo-Zulu War 1879
  2. South Africa, Anglo-Boer War 1899Template:Ndash1902
  3. Relief of Ladysmith 1900
  4. Natal, Bambatha Rebellion 1906
  5. South West Africa 1914Template:Ndash1915
  6. East Africa 1916Template:Ndash1918
  7. Rand Miners' Revolt 1922
  8. World War II
    1. Western Desert 1941Template:Ndash1943 (See 1st SA Infantry Division)
    2. Bardia
    3. Gazala
    4. Alamein Defence
    5. Alamein Box
    6. El Alamein
    7. Italy 1944Template:Ndash1945
    8. Casino II
    9. Florence
    10. Gothic Line
    11. Monte Stanco
    12. Monte Pezza
    13. Sole/Caprara
    14. Po Valley
  9. South West Africa – Namibia 1976Template:Ndash1994, five tours.
  10. Internally in South Africa in support of the SAPS (SA. Police Service) in the following actions;
    1. 1949, 1960, 1961
    2. 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992 (mainly rural areas)
    3. 1994 Elections.
    4. 1996 Elections.
    5. 1999 Elections.
  11. 2006 Op in Burundi. Detached members to Standing Army control structures.
  12. 2007Template:Ndash2014. Internal operations.

Leadership

Template:Post-start Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-header Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-member Template:Post-end

Regimental Headquarters

The regimental headquarters of the DLI has been declared as a National Monument.[5]

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

Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". was published in 1969.[1][4] It is out of print.

An illustrated history of the 150 years of the Regiment has been prepared by Prof. Brian Kearney, Mr Dave Matthews and Lieut Col "Bill" Olivier Template:Post-nominals (Retd.). The book is being sold by the Headquarters Board.

Affiliations

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Martin, Lieut Col A.C. MC VD BA (Cape) Hon.PhD (Natal) (1969). Durban Light Infantry: The History of the Durban Light Infantry Incorporating that of the Sixth South African Infantry, 1915 to 1917
  3. ↑ Martin, Lieut Col A.C. MC VD BA (Cape) Hon.PhD (Natal) (1969). Durban Light Infantry: The History of the Durban Light Infantry Incorporating that of the Sixth South African Infantry, 1935 to 1960
  4. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Script error: No such module "Portal".

Template:SA Army Units

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Durban_Light_Infantry&oldid=1615340"