The South African Mounted Rifles

[sabrigade]

Webbing 1.JPG

Webbing 2.JPG

Rare pattern 1925 webbing worn by the 1st SAMR before they were disbanded in 1926.

This webbing was also know as the Pattern 19 in Canada.

[sabrigade]

Webbing 3.JPG

Webbing 4.JPG

View of the rear of the equipment.

The set which does not include the lower part of the back-pack.

[Traist]

Very, very nice collection. Well done William. Regards Andrew

[sabrigade]

Thanks Andrew,

Will post more tomorrow, travelling again!

Regards,

Will

[iaindh]

Very nice collection, you can be proud, but shouldnt it be in the Police section?

Iain

[sabrigade]

Good question, my personal opinion is that they could fit into either of the two but my inclination is army.

The police were formed at the same time and there was therefore a seperation.

[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

[Brian Conyngham]

Hi Guys

Here is another link to follow regards this topic: http://myfundi.co.za/e/The_South_African_Police_service

Brian

[Alex Rice]

Hi William
Superb collection, thanks.
Cheers,
Alex

[iaindh]

Originally Posted by Brian Conyngham

Hi Guys

Here is another link to follow regards this topic: http://myfundi.co.za/e/The_South_African_Police_service

Brian

Hi Brian,

A pocket history of the evolution of the Police in SA.
It also mentions the "Police Brigade" at Tobruk; maybe this was the common name for the 6th SA Inf Brigade.

Iain

[sabrigade]

It is also important to remember that the Defence Act that was passed (No 13 of 1912) on 14 June 1912, established the Union Defence Force on 1 July 1912. The Act had made provision for a Permanent Force which had led to the establishment of the South African Mounted Rifles on 1 April 1913. This further made provision for Active Citizen Force and a Cadet Organisations that were formed in July 1913. Hence my opinion on the SAMR being part of the army even though they did conduct rural policing duties.