The South African Mounted Rifles

[sabrigade]

During 1911 it was decided to reorganize the police forces of the newly formed Union of South Africa on the lines of that used in the former Cape Colony. With effect from 1 April 1913, (Act 14 of 1912), two police forces were formed within the Union of South Africa. The SA Mounted Rifles was formed by the amalgamation of the Cape Mounted Police (CMP), Cape Mounted Rifles (CMR), Natal Police (NP), Orange Free State and Transvaal Police (TP).

The SA Mounted Rifles comprised five regiments based around the Union. The 1st Regiment (CMR) was based in King William's Town and patrolled the Transkei and part of the Eastern Cape. The 2nd and 3rd Regiments (NP) were at Pietermaritzburg and Dundee respectively. The 4th Regiment (TP) was based in Pretoria, whilst the remaining unit, the 5th Regiment (CMP) was based in Kimberley. In addition to these regiments, an artillery brigade of five batteries was attached to the SAMR.

In 1916 provision was made for Military Police in the personnel strength of a unit, and from 1916 until 1922 a detachment of Military Police was placed on the strength of the SAMR. These Military Policemen carried out their specialised duties from a police station. At Roberts Heights a detachment of 14 men apparently existed for some time. This detachment consisted of a Sergeant, a Corporal and 12 Lance Corporals. A staff officer to the O.C. Troops at Roberts Heights was appointed as both OC Military Police and as Superintendent of the Detention Barracks. It is believed that details of military police were to be found in the garrison centres of the Union at this time, for example, Cape Town, Potchefstroom and Durban.

In 1920 the five SAMR regiments were disbanded. Twenty-six officers, 196 NCO's and 1022 men were transferred to the SA Police, leaving the remainder to be formed into a single regiment still stationed in Pretoria at Roberts Heights. This last regiment was to remain until 1926.

[sabrigade]

SAMR 8.JPG

The main badges worn by the SAMR.

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SAMR 10.JPG

SAMR 11.JPG

Better detail of the badges.

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SAMR 13.JPG

Fire-gilt pouch belt badge attributed to Major Gordon-Gray.

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SAMR 1.JPG

Pouch attributed to Major Goron-Gray.

SAMR 14.JPG

Detail of pouch badges.

[sabrigade]

SAMR 3.JPG

SAMR 12.JPG

Martingale badge and details.

[iaindh]

Hi William,

You've got some very nice badges there.
There is currently a badge of the SAMR for sale which prompted me to go into the background of this outfit just the other day. Its very interesting and I didn't realise the extent to which the SA Police (in whatever version,) was so militarised although Andrew,(Traist,) has mentioned it.

regards,

Iain

[iaindh]

Originally Posted by sabrigade

During 1911 it was decided to reorganize the police forces of the newly formed Union of South Africa on the lines of that used in the former Cape Colony. With effect from 1 April 1913, (Act 14 of 1912), two police forces were formed within the Union of South Africa. The SA Mounted Rifles was formed by the amalgamation of the Cape Mounted Police (CMP), Cape Mounted Rifles (CMR), Natal Police (NP), Orange Free State and Transvaal Police (TP).

William,

I would have thought from your opening post that they were Police when originally formed or at the least para military Police but I was just making an observation.

Iain

[Brian Conyngham]

I tend to agree with William, they saw war service in GSWA and in GEA. So army gets my vote.

The 5th Battery SAFA were mainly SAMR so-called permanent force troops, however many were volunteers and were very active in GEA and Nyasaland.

Brian

[iaindh]

Hi Brian,

I actually also came across something somewhere along the way that there was a SAP Brigade at El Alamein but I couldnt find further information; they also aren't military.
My understanding generally was that throughout the 20th C, SA Police were para military and that they could be called upon in times of war.
Please refer to this link:

http://home.mweb.co.za/re/redcap/new-samr.htm

I'm also only referencing various sites I've stumbled across and dont claim to have the knowledge you guys have. (But it makes for interesting discussion!)

Iain

[Traist]

Originally Posted by iaindh

Hi Brian,

I actually also came across something somewhere along the way that there was a SAP Brigade at El Alamein but I couldnt find further information; they also aren't military.
My understanding generally was that throughout the 20th C, SA Police were para military and that they could be called upon in times of war.
Please refer to this link:

http://home.mweb.co.za/re/redcap/new-samr.htm

I'm also only referencing various sites I've stumbled across and dont claim to have the knowledge you guys have. (But it makes for interesting discussion!)

Iain

Hi Iain, that is why I included the police in my book. Since the early days(back in the 1800's) the police in SA have always been "military" in nature. Today I think it has changed, but up to 1994 they were very military, even though they still performed the normal police duties. A good example is Koevoet, who had a very high kill rate on the border. Regards Andrew

[iaindh]

Originally Posted by Traist

Hi Iain, that is why I included the police in my book. Since the early days(back in the 1800's) the police in SA have always been "military" in nature. Today I think it has changed, but up to 1994 they were very military, even though they still performed the normal police duties. A good example is Koevoet, who had a very high kill rate on the border. Regards Andrew

Hi Andrew,
yes, in the Conan Doyle book on the Boer war, there is constant reference to SAC, BSAP, CMP, NMP and others, not to mention the Jo'burg Police on the Tvl Republic side. OK it was almost a civil war and desperate times so every available man was needed.

I found a reference to the SA Police in the Western Desert, Tobruk not Alamein, where Ist & 2nd Police Battalions were part of the 6th SA Infantry Brigade within the SA 2nd Infantry Division captured at Tobruk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Inf..._(South_Africa)

regards,

Iain