Quote:
Originally Posted by Madziro
Just had a re-read of the section on the Defence Rifle Associations in Tylden's excellent book - The Armed Forces of South Africa. He states that the Defence Rifle Associations (Verdediging Skiet Vereniginge) were formed in 1913 to take the place of Commando units consisting of members in the age group 45 to 60. Officers attended courses at the SA Military College. The DRAs were regimented and brigaded and fought throughout the GSWA campaign in 1915. In view of this it is logical that they would have worn their DRA cap badges. Having said that, I believe that the DRA badges were in short supply at the time and so other insignia including the Tudor crown may well have been issued in lieu.
As an aside, there was a short lived General Service cap badge that was made in the UK for the SA army. I know that it was worn and wonder if it was possibly also worn by the DRAs? I have attached images of the one I have for interest.
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I have one of those too but cast. Slightly larger than SADF era WO badge. Have not seen a photo of it being worn yet... IIRC Curzon implied it was replaced by the version where the arms is inside a garter because the horns and tails easily broke off