WHAT S.A. WW1 INF. BADGE AND TITLE - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

dog watch · #1 06-11-10, 10:31 PM

Hello there,

I lost m'n information on the computer, so how cane help me out?

What is the correct badge and shoulder title for the WW1 (standerd) South African infantery?

Is this with:EENDRAGT MAAKT MAGT, or EENDRACHT MAAKT MACHT. And what I cane remamber is that: EENDRAG MAAKT MAG is post 1927.

The shoulder title is, what beleaf: (above)SOUTH AFRICA, (middel) INF. (under)ZUID AFRIKA.

I'm looking in special for the 4th South African Scottish information abouth ther badges in ww1, photos real help.

Well hope same one cane help?

with kind regrards, Hans

Alex Rice · #2 07-11-10, 08:40 AM

Hi Hans
The 4th SAI (Scottish) had their own badges. Here are the collars & titles.
Cheers,
Alex

Traist · #3 07-11-10, 10:51 AM

Hi Hans, Alex is spot on with his pictures. They also wore the general service cap badge. A springbok in a circle with the moto around it. I have seen photos of the title you describe worn on great coats, and this may have been across all 4 of the SAI battalions in France. Regards Andrew

dog watch · #4 09-11-10, 06:41 AM

Manny thanks Alex and Andrew,

I just have this 4th SAI kilt, and looking for the right badge, collars and titles. Well tunic of a SAI i never came a cross, but how knows? It's named: J.B. Grant (42106 if i'm correct). A lithel question more, (this is not realy a badge question) the wear the glengarry red, with and bleu diced and which hose socks did the wear(red/dark diced?).

Thanks agiane,

Hans

Alex Rice · #5 10-11-10, 07:37 PM

Hi Hans
I'm afraid I know very little about uniforms, but another forum member, "sabrigade", is very knowledgable about the WWI SA forces and may be able to answer your questions.
Cheers,
Alex

RobD · #6 18-11-10, 08:37 PM

Afrikaans became an official written language of SA in 1925, replacing Dutch in written texts. Afrikaans had been a widely spoken Dutch creole, evolving since the 1700s. Thus in badges from the Great War, see the spelling of the official motto "Unity is Strength" in Dutch (Eendracht maakt macht) and in WW2, see it in Afrikaans (Eendrag maak mag).
Afrikaans is thw 1st language spoken by 6 million South Africans, and just as before, it continues to evolve in a witty and vibrant way. See for example the music videos and lyrics of Jack Parow or Die Antwoord...

sabrigade · #7 21-11-10, 07:57 AM

The kilt is the correct issue that was worn by the 4th SAI.

It is the Murray of Atholl tartan.

The kilt was formerly worn by the Transvaal Scottish Regiment. The regiment was founded in 1902, under the name of the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers, at the conclusion of the Anglo-Boer War.

Lieutenant Colonel, the Marquis of Tullibardine, heir to the dukedom of Atholl, worked closely with local Caledonian societies to ensure that the membership was mainly Scottish.

The new unit wore his family tartan, and its regimental march was "Atholl Highlanders". The Regiment took the form of a large battalion with companies in the then major Transvaal towns.

After the conclusion of the German South West African campaign in WW1, new units were raised to fight outside South Africa as the South African government had offered to raise an infantry brigade for service in France.

The 4th SAI was a kilted regiment and its members wore the Murray of Atholl tartan. One of its companies was drawn from the Transvaal Scottish and another from the Cape Town Highlanders (CTH). The rest of the battalion was from the various caledonian societies in South Africa.

The collar badge of the CTH was worn with the variation that the family motto of Lt Col F.A. Jones was added.

Colonel "Fatty" Jones was the first battalion commander of the 4th SAI and he was killed in Bernafay Wood during the 1916 Somme Offensive.

It is important to note that this kilt was worn after WW1 by the Transvaal Scottish and continues to be an integral part of the current regimental dress.

The force number on your kilt may indicate WW2 or even later service.

sabrigade · #8 22-11-10, 10:02 AM

SA SCOT 42.jpg

This is how the General Service South African badge was worn by the SA Scottish. These badges are known to exist in silver and were officer's private purchase items. I have a smaller silver version in my collection.

As can be seen, the Atholl-Murray tartan is used as a backing.

sabrigade · #9 22-11-10, 10:08 AM

SA SCOT 33.jpg

Brodie helmet as worn by the SA Scottish, painted battalion sign is very clear.

sabrigade · #10 22-11-10, 10:12 AM

SA SCOT 32.jpg

SA Scottish Bandsman insignia.

sabrigade · #11 22-11-10, 10:24 AM

SA SCOT 46.jpg

Early Tam o' Shanter worn by the SA Scottish.

sabrigade · #12 22-11-10, 10:28 AM

SA SCOT 11.jpg

SA SCOT 12.jpg

A badge frame in my collection that depicts the various South African units that served on the Western Front during WW1.

The silver SA Scottish badges are believed to be officer's private purchase.

sabrigade · #13 22-11-10, 10:35 AM

SA SCOT 15.jpg

SA SCOT 16.jpg

The ORDER OF BATTLE of the 9th Scottish Division in badges and their Divisional emblem in my collection.

This was for the 1916 Somme Offensive.

sabrigade · #14 22-11-10, 10:39 AM

SA SCOT 18.jpg

SA SCOT 23.jpg

My SA Scottish Bandsman.

sabrigade · #15 22-11-10, 10:46 AM

SA SCOT 24.jpg

SA SCOT 31.jpg

SA Scottish in battledress. In the second photograph the unique SA Scottish button can also be clearly seen.