First SAEC Regiment insignia - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

loupie1961 · #1 15-01-11, 04:17 PM

Something of possibly some interest for Traist: shoulder insignia on a South African BD badged to a member of the First South African Engineer Corp attached to the Eight Army in Italy

Traist · #2 15-01-11, 05:19 PM

This is a very nice piece indeed. These titles(not just SAEC) are hard to come by now. Regards Andrew

loupie1961 · #3 15-01-11, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traist

This is a very nice piece indeed. These titles(not just SAEC) are hard to come by now. Regards Andrew

Hello Andrew! 1st SAEC titles are quite an exception to the SA Army rules, since as long as I know arc titles were introduced only after the war, during the war being uses metal arm titles on the orange tab, isn't it?

paj1 · #4 15-01-11, 05:48 PM

Great bd . fantastic badges, well done
paj1

sabrigade · #5 16-01-11, 10:22 AM

The SAEC served as field and park companies during the Second World War.

This title is very interesting and requires further research.

As a former Chief of Staff of the SAEC, I will endeavour to find out more from the surviving WW2 and post-war veterans.

If loupie1961 has no objections, I will request details and post the title on the South African and Rhodesian Military Engineers forum.

Arthur R · #6 16-01-11, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loupie1961

Hello Andrew! 1st SAEC titles are quite an exception to the SA Army rules, since as long as I know arc titles were introduced only after the war, during the war being uses metal arm titles on the orange tab, isn't it?

I also think these titles are post-war.

AFAIK, the 1st and 2nd SAEC Regiments were formed in 1946, by grouping the field companies and field park companies into two administrative battalions, one for each of the divisions into which the post-war Land Forces were organised. At that time, the volunteers' red tab was still being worn on the shoulder strap : it was discontinued in the Permanent Force in late 1949, and in the Citizen Force in 1952.

The SAEC regiments were renamed "1st and 2nd Field Engineer Regiments" in 1956, and were disbanded in 1959.

loupie1961 · #7 16-01-11, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabrigade

The SAEC served as field and park companies during the Second World War.

This title is very interesting and requires further research.

As a former Chief of Staff of the SAEC, I will endeavour to find out more from the surviving WW2 and post-war veterans.

If loupie1961 has no objections, I will request details and post the title on the South African and Rhodesian Military Engineers forum.

No objections whatsoever......

Traist · #8 17-01-11, 04:10 AM

I look forward to what William finds. Which ever way this goes, I think this title is rare. Regards Andrew

sabrigade · #9 17-01-11, 07:58 AM

1 Engineer Regiment was re-established in the late 1980s and was disbanded a few years ago. It was based in Durban and provided immediate engineer support to the then Natal Command. It was classifed as a Regular unit.

2 Field Engineer Regiment still exists and is the combat engineer regiment of the South African Army Engineer Formation. It is based in Bethlehem in the Free State.

Arthur R · #10 17-01-11, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabrigade

1 Engineer Regiment was re-established in the late 1980s and was disbanded a few years ago. It was based in Durban and provided immediate engineer support to the then Natal Command. It was classifed as a Regular unit.

2 Field Engineer Regiment still exists and is the combat engineer regiment of the South African Army Engineer Formation. It is based in Bethlehem in the Free State.

Yes, indeed, these are a later generation of engineer regiments. There are several others - 3 Field Engineer Regiment in Cape Town, for example. The regular (ex-PF) units used to be called 'engineer squadrons', and the reserve (ex-CF) units were 'field squadrons'. IIRC, they were elevated to regimental status in the mid-1980s.

loupie1961 · #11 17-01-11, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur R

Yes, indeed, these are a later generation of engineer regiments. There are several others - 3 Field Engineer Regiment in Cape Town, for example. The regular (ex-PF) units used to be called 'engineer squadrons', and the reserve (ex-CF) units were 'field squadrons'. IIRC, they were elevated to regimental status in the mid-1980s.

Well, i guess they would rather not make use of 1943 date BD blouses....