Vereeniging Commando
Vereeniging Commando | |
---|---|
| |
Active | c. 1921–2006 |
Disbanded | 29 September 2006 |
Country |
|
Allegiance | |
Branch | |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Light Infantry |
Size | One Battalion |
Part of |
South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 17 |
Garrison/HQ | Vereeniging |
Motto(s) | ENSE ET ARATRO Serving in War and Peace (Afrikaans: Dien in Oorlog en Vrede) |
Vereeniging Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.
History
Origin
The Vereeniging Commando was formed in 1921 as a Shooting Commando and its first Commander was Lt Col Karel Rood. The Shooting Commando received its official status as a Commando in 1957 and in 1961 received its first Citizen Force members.
Freedom of Entry
The Commando received the Freedom of Entry to the city of Vereeniging on the 14th February 1976.
National Colours
On the 16 August 1991, the commanding officer Cmdt J.C. Kruger, accepted the award of National Colours on behalf of the unit.
Disbandment
This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[1][2] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 “because of the role it played in the apartheid era”, according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.[3]
On Friday 29 September 2006 Vereeniging Commando finally closed its doors when Lt Col J.C. Zelie handed the VMB keys over to the Department of Public Works.
Insignia
Leadership
From | Honorary Colonels | To |
1991 | Col (Dr) M. Milani | 2006 |
From | Commanding Officers | To |
1921 | Lt Col K. Rood | 1929 |
1929 | Lt Col E. Rood | 1939 |
1939 | Lt Col E.S. Rood | 1946 |
1946 | Cmdt J.J. Marais | 1948 |
August 1949 | Cmdt F.H.V. Lamont | November 1949 |
1950 | Cmdt G. de Bruyn-Nel | 1967 |
1967 | Cmdt F.P. van Niekerk | 1977 |
1977 | Cmdt W.A. de Klerk | 1981 |
1981 | Cmdt J.P. Arnold | 1985 |
1985 | Cmdt T.C. Pieterse | 1989 |
1989 | Cmdt J.C. Kruger | 1994 |
1994 | Cmdt B.M. Steyn | 1997 |
1997 | Lt Col J.C. Zelie | 2006 |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
1967 | WO1 D.B. Oliver | 1976 |
1977 | WO1 W.A. Bobbert | 1982 |
1982 | WO1 M.L. van Stratten | 1989 |
1989 | WO1 P.F. Strachan | 1991 |
1991 | WO1 E. Jonker | 1994 |
1994 | WO1 D.J. Labuschagne | 2006 |
From | Chaplains | To |
n.d. | Ds H.S. Pienaar | n.d. |
n.d. | Ds J.J. Louw | n.d. |
n.d. | Ds D. Coetzer | n.d. |
n.d. | Ds J.C. van Rooyen | n.d. |
References
- ↑ Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ↑ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
- ↑ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015. (Subscription required (help)).
See also