South African Heavy Artillery.......
 

© IWM (HU 125529)
Second Lieutenant A S Mehan. Unit: South African Heavy Artillery.
http://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/427/15...at=photographs

What I find interesting is that the collar badges are grenades rather than mini SAHA crossed cannon badges. I had a look at the IWM website and the other SAHA officers also wear the grenade collar badges. Any thoughts?

Hi Milhistry,
I have seen many pictures of SAHA, including a very comprehensive collection held at the Castle Museum and in all of them the officers are wearing grenade collars. And all the NCO are not wearing collars at all... only the SAHA cap badge and SAHA titles.

I suspect these small 'collars' that come up from time to time are either souviniers, sweethearts with pin removed and lugs attached or simply post war copies produced to mislead. I have never seen these small 'collar' badges ever worn.

Also from the pictures the SAHA troops that originally sailed to Europe actually wore Springbok cap badges like everyone else. They only got the crossed cannons later while in Europe.

There are a few other threads showing pictures of SAHA officers with grenade badges.

Steven

Note the collar badges on this fellow, and the Springbok hat badge that Steven mentions.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/WW-I-RPPC...gAAOSwLF1X5HEG

Keith

Thanks Keith,
I have a strong feeling that 'Uncle George' may well be an engineer in the SAEC rather than artillery. The enginners wore grenade collars with flames like these.

Steven

I have a pair of those collars the Gent above is wearing and believe them to be Artillery. I also passed onto another, a pair with a scroll underneath showing SAEC. I am not an expert, I make no opinions! DJ

further to my above post, "Owen's" book badges at 830/31 shows what I believe are what the Gent above is wearing. The similar Engineers badge I alluded to is shown at badges 1333/34. Regards, DJ.

The white lanyard might provide a clue to Artillery, but I'm sure, like the Australians, that this colour lanyard was worn by several other corps at this time. There is also his shoulder title - did the SA Engrs wear numbered shoulder titles?

Keith

Looks to me like one of the ribbons is an Indian GSM so probably an ex-British Army serviceman.
Cheers,
Alex

Thanks. I had a look through the photos I had in my files and found the same. All officers seem to be wearing grenade collar badges and other ranks none at all.

Just to restart the discussion on the subject....
Jo


© IWM (HU 122239)
Major C J Forder. Unit: S A Heavy Artillery.
http://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/397/60...at=photographs

© IWM (HU 122569) same officer but close-up of the badge.... http://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/465/43...at=photographs