Cape Fortress Engineers

[sabrigade]

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GILT OFFICERS CAP BADGE: 1914 TO 1922

This was a highly specialised unit that was formed in Cape Town shortly before the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 and they served in the defences of the Cape Peninsula throughout the war.

In 1922 they became the Fortress Engineer and Signals Section of the Permanent Force Engineer Corps.

Officers from the unit served in Johannesburg during the 1922 strike, hence my interest in this badge and unit.

A works and maintenance section were later added to provide a limited military infratructure management and maintenance capacity.

On 31st July 1931 the unit became No. 4 Company of the Cape Garrison Artillery in charge of searchlights and telephones until they were disbanded in 1933.