SA Intelligence units

[Madziro]

Have started a website on SA Intelligence Unit insigna and thought it may be of some interest. It is at - http://www.freewebs.com/saintcorps/

The tags at the top of the page open more pages.

[Traist]

Very nice Dudley, thank you. Regards Andrew

[Brian Conyngham]

Hi Dudley

I see you have included an early shoulder title of the NMR. This got me thinking..regards intelligence gathering in that the NMR were used mainly as a Recon Unit for the 6th SA Armoured Div in Italy. Are you classing Intelligence gathering along with Recon work during WW2?

Regards
Brian

[Mike Jackson]

Dudley.
Outstanding and very interesting. The art cards are of particular interest and the overall quality of the site is superb (as I would have anticipated!) It would be good if, for example, the Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and British Intelligence Corps could match the example that you have provided.
Mike

[iaindh]

Hi Dudley,

a very interesting site you've created with a good background to intelligence gathering.

Thanks for sharing.

regards,

Iain

[Quicksilver]

Excellent website. FYI There is a lot on SIGINT in the SACS in Signal Units of the South African Corps of Signals and related services by Walter Volker. The book is one of a set of three on the SACS and its antecedents and is very comprehensive.
Quicksilver

[Milmed]

Hi Dudley,
Great site on the intelligence corps. Concise, clear and informative. Just the way a good website should be.

My main interest is in SAMS as I served there in the mid 80's. I can add to your info on the SAMS side with regards to Intelligence insignia worn. The Intelligence officers did in fact where the admin caduceus and this was worn on a black felt backing.

SAMS admin officers wore different colour felt backings namely:
Health Officer - Ruby
Medical Technicians (NCO) - Postbox Red
Intelligence Officer - Black
Logistic Officer - Medium Blue

I have also seen an Orange felt backing to admin badge but not sure who wore these.

The cloth admin Caduceus on ruby was first issued with the change over to camo uniform.

Regards
Steven

[Arthur R]

Excellent website. Thanks very much.

[Alex Rice]

Hi Dudley
That's great, thanks very much.
Cheers,
Alex

[Madziro]

Good day Gents

Many thanks for the kind words. The Int C is a specific interest as I served with them.

Thanks for the info on the Medic IOs wearing a black backing to their "trade" badge. Something I never knew. The orange backing on a Medic "trade" badge indicates that the wearer has passed the 1 year Senior Command and Staff Duties course. It is an equivelent of the army chilli red lanyard worn on the right arm.

I have had a good look at the scouting type activites of colonial / SA raised units of the Anglo Boer War and the NMR were used in the role so their ABW title was included.

Interesting to see that some of the World War 1 scouting type units began to include the word "Intelligence" in their unit titles to indicate the scouting / info collecting role they had.

Regards

Dudley

[Milmed]

Dudley,
Thanks for the info on the Orange backing. This was always the missing link.

I have seen Doctors, Psychologist, Admin and Welfare caduceus on orange backing, so these must all have completed the staff course.

Thanks
Steven

[Alex Rice]

Hi Dudley
More questions...
I notice that you have a picture of 'Elliot's Border Scouts' but they don't appear on your list, why is that?
You also don't have a picture of a 'French's Scouts' or 'Kitcheners Fighting Scouts' badges, do you want/need any more pictures for your site, I would be happy to help, as would any of the other guys as well, I'm sure.
Cheers,
Alex

[Madziro]

Hullo Alex

The reason for the omission of the Elliot unit is "finger trouble" on my part! Will add it, thank you. All the badges on the website are in the collection. French's Scouts is an important one but sadly I do not have one of them. If you have an image at 300dpi or better, that would be great, thank you.

Kind regards

Dudley

[Alex Rice]

Hi Dudley
If you PM me your e-mail address, I'll send you a couple of images.
Cheers,
Alex