Pre WWI SA Inf Regts

[iaindh]

Frank,

I dont recall seeing a Victoria Rifles for sale; I suppose you have one

Do you have a 14/15 Star to post with the KR/ 7th on it?

kind regards, Iain

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

Oh Iain,
I like the Kimberley Regiment and both the Kimberley and Victoria Rifles.
The Kimberley Regt had some of their officers badges made by Hobson and Sons, they were superb!
Kind regards Frank

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Iain,
Yes and yes, the 1914-15 star was named 7th Infantry, they did not have the word Kimberley on them, in any form.
I think that the Kimberley Regiment came about from the Kimberley Rifles and the Diamond Fields Horse, but the Kimberley Rifles was originally formed from the Victoria Rifles and Kimberley Scottish.
Kind regards Frank

[iaindh]

Hi Frank,

not certain about the lineage, perhaps someone could fill in the missing pieces there. I do know the Kimberley Scottish were in there somewhere hence the "tartan" on the Kimberley Regt badge.

Kind regards, Iain

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

Hello Iain,
Yes and yes, the 1914-15 star was named 7th Infantry, they did not have the word Kimberley on them, in any form.
I think that the Kimberley Regiment came about from the Kimberley Rifles and the Diamond Fields Horse, but the Kimberley Rifles was originally formed from the Victoria Rifles and Kimberley Scottish.
Kind regards Frank

[Arthur R]

Originally Posted by iaindh

Hi Frank, not certain about the lineage, perhaps someone could fill in the missing pieces there.

As I have it, the lineage is :

- Kimberley Light Horse (1876) and Dutoitspan Hussars (1876) amalgamated 1877 to form Diamond Fields Horse.

- Victoria Rifles of Kimberley (initially 'Kimberley Volunteers') (1887) and Kimberley Scots (1890) amalgamated 1890 to form Kimberley Rifles.

- Diamond Fields Horse and Kimberley Rifles amalgamated 1899 to form Kimberley Regiment.

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Arthur,
Okay, so I was right then.
Regards Frank

Originally Posted by Arthur R

As I have it, the lineage is :

- Kimberley Light Horse (1876) and Dutoitspan Hussars (1876) amalgamated 1877 to form Diamond Fields Horse.

- Victoria Rifles of Kimberley (initially 'Kimberley Volunteers') (1887) and Kimberley Scots (1890) amalgamated 1890 to form Kimberley Rifles.

- Diamond Fields Horse and Kimberley Rifles amalgamated 1899 to form Kimberley Regiment.

[iaindh]

Hi Arthur,

thanks for the comprehensive explanation. (Not bad Frank!)
I've never heard of the Dutoitspan Hussars though.

regards, Iain

Originally Posted by Arthur R

As I have it, the lineage is :

- Kimberley Light Horse (1876) and Dutoitspan Hussars (1876) amalgamated 1877 to form Diamond Fields Horse.

- Victoria Rifles of Kimberley (initially 'Kimberley Volunteers') (1887) and Kimberley Scots (1890) amalgamated 1890 to form Kimberley Rifles.

- Diamond Fields Horse and Kimberley Rifles amalgamated 1899 to form Kimberley Regiment.

[Frank Kelley]

There you go Iain, an old friend!

Originally Posted by iaindh

Frank,

I dont recall seeing a Victoria Rifles for sale; I suppose you have one

Do you have a 14/15 Star to post with the KR/ 7th on it?

kind regards, Iain

[iaindh]

Very nice Frank, and in fine condition; lucky I dont get jealous!

Do you have any badges of the other outfits that were the forerunners of the Kimberley Regt?

kind regards, Iain

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

There you go Iain, an old friend!

[iaindh]

Arthur,

a piece from Conan Doyles' "the Great Boer War" which has always amused me tells the story of a smirmish between Boers and a party of Kimberley Light Horse. A new body of horsemen appeared and opened fire on the Boers. One of the strangers rode up to the patrol and asked "what the dickens does the KLH mean on your shoulder strap?" "It means Kimberley light Horse, and who are you?" "I'm one of the New Zealander's"

Has Conan Doyle perhaps got mixed up with the Diamond Field's Horse or the Kimberley Rifles?

regards, Iain

Originally Posted by Arthur R

As I have it, the lineage is :

- Kimberley Light Horse (1876) and Dutoitspan Hussars (1876) amalgamated 1877 to form Diamond Fields Horse.

- Victoria Rifles of Kimberley (initially 'Kimberley Volunteers') (1887) and Kimberley Scots (1890) amalgamated 1890 to form Kimberley Rifles.

- Diamond Fields Horse and Kimberley Rifles amalgamated 1899 to form Kimberley Regiment.

[Traist]

Hi, I would like to add these pictures regarding your discussion. Regards Andrew

[Traist]

Originally Posted by iaindh

Arthur,

a piece from Conan Doyles' "the Great Boer War" which has always amused me tells the story of a smirmish between Boers and a party of Kimberley Light Horse. A new body of horsemen appeared and opened fire on the Boers. One of the strangers rode up to the patrol and asked "what the dickens does the KLH mean on your shoulder strap?" "It means Kimberley light Horse, and who are you?" "I'm one of the New Zealander's"

Has Conan Doyle perhaps got mixed up with the Diamond Field's Horse or the Kimberley Rifles?

regards, Iain

Hi Iain, the Kimberley Light Horse name was resurrected during the Boer War. Here is one of their badges. Regards Andrew

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Iain,
Yes, I do, I'll have to have a look tomorrow.
Regards Frank

Originally Posted by iaindh

Very nice Frank, and in fine condition; lucky I dont get jealous!

Do you have any badges of the other outfits that were the forerunners of the Kimberley Regt?

kind regards, Iain

[Frank Kelley]

Both the Kimberley Horse and Kimberley Light Horse were raised on the 28th of November 1899 as class C units of the SAMIF, they were merged on the 30th of June 1902 and disbanded on the 19th of the following month in Kimberley.

Originally Posted by Traist

Hi Iain, the Kimberley Light Horse name was resurrected during the Boer War. Here is one of their badges. Regards Andrew

[iaindh]

Hi Andrew,

these are 3 very nice badges you have here. What's the significance of the coronet on the DFH? It looks a little like the one on the "Dukes."

regards, Iain

Originally Posted by Traist

Hi, I would like to add these pictures regarding your discussion. Regards Andrew

[iaindh]

Andrew, Frank,

thanks for the explanation on the KLH during the seige of Kimberley. It makes sense now!
I've never seen the badge before Andrew. Quite scarce methinks!

regards, Iain

Originally Posted by Traist

Hi Iain, the Kimberley Light Horse name was resurrected during the Boer War. Here is one of their badges. Regards Andrew

[QUOTE Both the Kimberley Horse and Kimberley Light Horse were raised on the 28th of November 1899 as class C units of the SAMIF, they were merged on the 30th of June 1902 and disbanded on the 19th of the following month in Kimberley.[/QUOTE]