Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment

Origin

The Witwatersrand Rifles (often familiarly known as the "Wits Rifles") was formed by proclamation on 1 May 1903 and absorbed the members of the Railway Pioneer Regiment and the Rand Rifles, both of which had fought on the British side during the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899 – 1902.

As befitted a regiment based from the gold-rich Witwatersrand region, it had a very close relationship with the mining establishment of the time; and its cap badge further emphasised this link.

Bambatha Rebellion

The regiment first saw action during the Bambata Rebellion of 1906, when it deployed a contingent to (the then) Zululand.

Absorbtion of the Transvaal Light Infantry

Transvaal Light Infantry insignia

In 1907 the regiment was further strengthened when it absorbed the Transvaal Light Infantry Regiment.

World War 1

The regiment was mobilised again when World War I broke out.

Rand Revolt

The inter-war years saw the regiment deployed during the 1922 Rand Revolt, when rebellious South African Communist Party white miners attempted to overthrow the government of General Jan Smuts.

In the early 1930s the regiment affiliated with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Regiment of the British Army. As a consequence, the Witwatersrand Rifles adopted the uniform and many of the traditions of this Scottish Lowland regiment. Despite the Cameronians' disbandment in 1968, the Wits Rifles still continues this heritage today.

World War 2

As a result of the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the regiment was expanded to two battalions. However, due to the battalions being used to supply replacements in a piecemeal fashion to depleted South African units taking part in the North African Campaign, the Witwatersrand Rifles was only deployed as a coherent unit (to Egypt) in 1943.

During its service in North Africa, the Witwatersrand Rifles was amalgamated with Regiment de la Rey. This combined regiment, nicknamed the "Royal Boere", saw extensive action in Italy as part of the South African 6th Armoured Division, particularly at Monte Caprara and Monte Stanco.

Border War

From 1970 until the first all-race democratic elections in 1994, the regiment saw action in the South African Border War in South-West Africa (now Namibia) and Angola as well as on the South Africa/Botswana border and in South African townships.

Post 1994

When conscription ended in 1993, the regiment began an active recruitment drive to maintain reserve troop strength. During South Africa's second democratic election in 1999, the regiment deployed 180 volunteers in support of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

In the 21st century the Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment continues to attract volunteers for regular part-time training.

Peacekeeping

Over the past few years the regiment has provided troops for internal operations in support of the South African Police Service and on the border (as part of Operation Corona) as well as for United Nations peacekeeping operations in the DRC and the Sudan.^[1]

Railway Pioneer Regiment

• Lt Col.J.E. Capper, RE (1899–1903) (Later Maj Gen. J.E. Capper, KCB KCVO)

Witwatersand Rifles

• Lt Col. J.G. Hamilton, MVO (1903–1905) (Later Hon. Col.)
• Lt Col. T.J. Macfarlane, (1906–1908)
• Lt Col. R.W. Schumacher – Ffennell (1908–1909) (Later Hon. Col.)
• Lt Col. C.B. Saner (1909–1912)
• Lt Col. J.W. Smyth, VD (1912–1919)
• Lt Col. S.B. Schlam (1919–1923)
• Lt Col. R. Dukoff – Gordon, VD (1923–1928)
• Lt Col. W.C.M. Howarth, VD (1928–1931)
• Lt Col. W. Crewe – Brown, VD (1931–1936) & (29 April 1942 – 9 August 1942)
• Lt Col. L.F. Sprenger, DSO MC VD (1936–1939)
• Lt Col. W. James, ED (1939–1942) & (10 February 1943 – 5 July 1943)
• Lt Col. H.C. Sumner, MC VD (9 August 1942 – 20 February 1943)
• Lt Col. W.A.D. Cherrington, VD (2 Bn) (1940–1941) (Later Col. W.A.D. Cherrington, VD)
• Lt Col. J.B. Bester, DSO & Bar (1943–1945) (Later Brig. J.B. Bester, DSO & Bar and Hon Col)
• Lt Col. W.R. Van Der Riet, MC (1945–1946) (Later Lt Gen. W.R. Van Der Riet, SSA SM MC and Hon Col.)
• Lt Col. G.M. St.L. Daines, ED (1946–1951)
• Cmdt. C.J.R. Nicholls, ED (1951–1956)
• Cmdt. E.C. Harris, ED (1956–1962)
• Cmdt. C.L. Pitt, JCD (1962–1965)
• Cmdt. R.C. Gradige (1965–1968)
• Cmdt. C.J. Derby–Lewis (1968–1973) (Acting OC: 1967–1968)
• Cmdt. D.C. Fletcher, SM JCD (1973–1981)
• Cmdt. (Dr.) J.L. Job, SM MMM JCD (1981–1986) (Later Hon. Col.)
• Cmdt. A.E. Dixon – Seager, MMM JCD (1986–1989)
• Lt Col. K.J. Townsend, SM MMM JCD (1989–1997)
• Lt Col. E.L. Carton – Barber, JCD (1997–2002) (Later Col. E.L. Carton – Barber, JCD)
• Lt Col. C.E. Casey, JCD (2002–2005)
• Lt Col. M.F. Robberts (2005–2007)
• Lt Col. J.C.L. Valentine (2007 – 2013)
• Lt Col. L.H. Malakoane (2013 – 2014)
• Lt Col. S.G. Mooketsi (2014 – 2015)
• Maj. A.M. Mosehlana (2015 - 2016)
• Lt. Col. G. Mazibuko (2016–Present)

Colonel-in-Chief

(This Honorary post officially fell away in 1961 when the Union of South Africa became a Republic)

• HM Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) (1947–1961) (unofficially 1947 – 2002)

Honorary Colonels

• Col. Sir, L. Phillips – Bart, VD MLA (1908–1937)
• Col. R.W. Schumacher – Ffennel (1909–1923)
• Col. J.G. Hamilton, MVO (1910)
• Col.The Hon. C.F. Stallard, DSO MC* ED QC MP (1937–1971)
• Brig. J.B. Bester, DSO* (1972–1985)
• Lt Gen. W.R. Van Der Riet SSA SM MC (1985–1988)
• Maj Gen. W.N.A. Barends, SM MC & bar (1989–2002)
• Col. (Dr.) J.L. Job, SM MMM JCD (2002 – present)

Previous Dress Insignia

SADF era Witwatersrand Rifles insignia

Current Dress Insignia

SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia

Battle honours

As a Rifle regiment, the Witwatersrand Rifles does not carry colours. Instead the honours banner are displayed on the pipes of the Pipe Major. The Witwatersrand Rifles has the following battle honours:

• First World War:
  • South West Africa 1914–1915
• Second World War:
  • Italy 1944–45
  • Cassino II
  • Allerona
  • Florence
  • Monte Querciabella
  • Monte Fili
  • The Greve
  • Gothic Line
  • Monte Stanco
  • Monte Salvaro
  • Sole/Caprara
  • Po Valley
  • Campo Santo Bridge

Sister Regiments

•  South Africa – Transvaal Scottish Regiment
•  South Africa – Regiment de la Rey

Alliances

•  United Kingdom – The Royal Scots Borderers
•  United Kingdom – Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)