Cape Fortress Engineers
 

Attachment 72169
GILT OFFICERS CAP BADGE: 1914 TO 1922

This was a highly specialised unit that was formed in Cape Town shortly before the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 and they served in the defences of the Cape Peninsula throughout the war.

In 1922 they became the Fortress Engineer and Signals Section of the Permanent Force Engineer Corps.

Officers from the unit served in Johannesburg during the 1922 strike, hence my interest in this badge and unit.

A works and maintenance section were later added to provide a limited military infratructure management and maintenance capacity.

On 31st July 1931 the unit became No. 4 Company of the Cape Garrison Artillery in charge of searchlights and telephones until they were disbanded in 1933.

Nice badge, I wish I had one in my overseas Engineer collection :D
I recently brought a C F E shoulder title in brass.

Jerry

Hi, here are 2 more to add to the pictures. Regards Andrew

There is a Cape Fortress Engineers trade badge on ebay now. It is the one with the search light.
Rgds Quicksilver

Attachment 72232

Attachment 72233

Attachment 72234

Attachment 72235

The CFE trade badges can be seen amongst my prize, proficiency and trade badge collection.

Allways good to see a comprehensive collection. Thanks for sharing.
Quicksilver

Wow, nice collection.
Cheers,
Alex

Hi guys, here is some info from a book I have compiled on SA Artillery units, hope it helps?

Brian

Cape Fortress Engineers. It was raised at Cape Town a month before the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914 with strength of five officers and 150 men. This unit served on the Cape defences throughout the war.

On 31st July 1931 together with the Cape Artillery and Searchlight section it became No 4 Coy. Cape Garrison Artillery and wore the trade badge “DELT” standing for Defence, Electric Lights and Telephones. Their uniform was khaki and the badge was a searchlight on a grenade with the motto Scientia et Armis (Knowledge and Arms) below. There are also badges in existence with DELT under the searchlight. The searchlight section wore a unique trade badge of a searchlight in a wreath with the initials CA & SL under the searchlight. It was disbanded in 1933.

Owen 1370, 1376 and 1654 to 1655.

For the sake of future reference have added images of the Unit button to this old thread. Maker marked 'Jennens & Co Ltd, London'.

Simon.

Thanks for the pictures. I agree, always nice to see other collections!

Terry