Natal Carbineers

[johnG]

Does anybody have an interest in the Natal Carbineers, if so please contact me as I have a story to tell of my meeting with a group of rather ancient ex officers of that regiment in 1966. They were magnificent and the memory remains with me still.

[Traist]

Hi John, I'm always keen to hear any good bits about Natal units. Regards Andrew

[johnG]

Hi Andrew. I have sent you a PM as I did not want to use personal names on an open forum.
Regards,

John

[izabel]

Hi John

I would be very interested in your info on the Carbineers. Im compiling folders for the NC Musuem on serving members 1855-1955. Any info you have would be very much appreciated

Regards

Izabel

[johnG]

Hi Izabel,

In 1967 I had the great pleasure of week ending on the Mooi River farm of Col. McKenzie, one time CO of the Natal Carbineers. On the Saturday evening I sat on the stoep for sundowners with some elderly gentlemen, one -who was well advanced in age - was called 'Boy'. Explanation was they were old old officers of Natal Carbineers and the gentleman referred to as 'Boy' had been a junior subaltern in their day, so was still, many years later called 'Boy', and he loved it, having later risen to considerably higher rank I believe. What wonderful men they were, for whom the mould has now been broken, they just don't come like that any more.
Sadly I think I might have offended the Colonel, as looking for something to do on the Sunday I repaired a big brass lock on a toilet door. I thought I had done well but Col McKenzie told me in a very stern and disaproving voice "That lock has been broken since I weas a boy". Did he mean it, or was he being facetious? I will never know. But what a lovely week end.
A great regiment and great men who served in it.

[ANGLE IRON]

Hello John, I posted a picture today of a flash that may be a Natal Carbineers pagri badge, Have you seen it before? Regards Kevin

[iaindh]

Hi John,

a nice story and thanks for sharing it. Some of these Natal regiments are very old. Like your elderly gentlemen.

Iain

[johnG]

Hi Kevin,

Sorry for delay but I have only now seen your post, and sorry once again, I have absolutely no knowledge of their badges, my only contact with the regiment having been meeting long retired officers and their families. Happy days, and memories of their justifiable pride in their old regiment, which remain with me over fifty years later.
Regards,
John

[ANGLE IRON]

Thankyou John i think i will leave it a short time and then re post the picture, regards Kevin.