Hiemstra

[Traist]

Hi, I am looking for info regarding the Hiemstra period in South Africa. Firstly which years the "Hiemstra" style uniform was worn, secondly which gorgette's were worn by which officers. I believe that their was an article published in the 1970's in one of the local magazines, maybe even the Paratus about this. Does anybody have a copy for me? Regards Andrew

[natal01]

Well, here is a picture of our boy, with the nazi influenced uniform. Note the high brim and small peak. The badges are rather attractive, but rather short lived.
Regards
Mike

[Arthur R]

Originally Posted by Traist

Hi, I am looking for info regarding the Hiemstra period in South Africa. Firstly which years the "Hiemstra" style uniform was worn, secondly which gorgette's were worn by which officers. I believe that their was an article published in the 1970's in one of the local magazines, maybe even the Paratus about this. Does anybody have a copy for me? Regards Andrew

The 'universal uniform' was introduced in 1971 and bit the dust around 1974. There was indeed an article in Paratus some time in 1971, and I have an idea the government PR magazine SA Panorama also featured it. It was designed by London coutourier Hardy Amies.

The 'Kalahari sand'-coloured uniform was not at all popular. Apart from the army and SAAF generals on the Supreme Command, and the medical service top brass, hardly anyone seems to have worn it.

The navy was particulary opposed to it. When President Fouche gave a speech at a naval function (at which Hiemstra was present), and said how sorry he'd be once the navy stopped wearing its traditional whites, he received a standing ovation, and that was pretty much the death knell of the uniform.

There were two patterns of gorget patch. The pattern worn by the generals (maj gen to cmdt gen) had the three springboks and was edged in gold. The pattern worn by brigadiers and colonels had two pieces of ribbon(?) twisted like a koeksuster down the centre of the patch. Background colours were:
+ commandant-general : 'imperial Chinese peacock blue'
+ army : chilli red
+ SAAF : steel blue
+ medical service : ruby red
+ chaplains : spectrum violet
+ 'central organs' i.e. Defence HQ departments : green.

[Traist]

Thnk you Mike and Arthur. Most useful to me. Regards Andrew

[Milmed]

Hi,
Thanks for a very informative bit of info on the Hiemstra badges.
I have a set of the Medical Service gorget patches for Brigadiers (see picture).

If anyone has a set of the Generals cap badge and Gorgets (with 3 springboks) I would be very keen to add these to my collection. Phillip Bloch had all of these, but I am unable to trace who purchased this board from his late estate. If someone does have them could they post some pictures please.

I will scan and post pictures from Paratus of some medical personel wearing these badges.

Steven

[The Good Dudes]

I only have one of the Air Force gorgets from this period, desperately looking for the others.... But it certainly gives you an idea of what they looked like.

Jimmy

[Milmed]

Some pictures of medical staff in Hiemstra uniform

[Traist]

Hi, I just picked these up and thought that I would just share them here. Regards Andrew

[Milmed]

Hi Andrew,
Very nice find. Appears to be unissued Army General and Chaplain General's cap badge. I was not aware that there was a Chaplain General in the early 1970's but maybe as these are unisssued they were possibly made awaiting issue to a general in the Chaplain service. The late Phillip Bloch had a full set of the Hiemstra general cap and gorget patches in his collection. Still have no idea what happened to these badges?

Regards
Steven

[Traist]

Hi Steven, I am very happy having found them. Not sure what route they have followed to me, but never the less very chuffed with them. Regards Andrew

[Brian Conyngham]

Andrew

Nice additions to the collection, I have only ever seen the SAAF versions.

Thanks for posting, will keep the eyes peeled, not a collector of rank badges I would not have given these a second glance before!

Brian

[Traist]

I just managed to add these to my "Hiemstra" collection. Very chuffed, and having a good day. Regards Andrew

[The Good Dudes]

Andrew, those are awesome!

Did you have any idea where they would belong? I take it the purple ones were for Chaplains. Also any guesses as to why there were different sizes there?

A great find indeed, well done!

Jimmy