Durban Light Infantry
The Durban Light Infantry is a Motorised Infantry regiment of the South African Army. It lost its status as a Mechanised infantry regiment in 2010 in line with the rationalisation of resources. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit.[1]
Durban Light Infantry | |
---|---|
![]() SANDF Durban Light Infantry emblem | |
Active | May 1854 to present |
Country | South Africa |
Allegiance | |
Branch | |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Motorised infantry |
Size | One battalion |
Part of | South African Infantry Formation Army Conventional Reserve |
Garrison/HQ | DLI Avenue, Durban 29°50′50″S 31°0′57″E |
Motto(s) | Primus in Africa |
Battle honours | |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Lieut Col Z. Hangana |
Honorary Colonel | Vacant Post |
Insignia | |
Company level Insignia | ![]() |
SA Mechanised Infantry beret bar circa 1992 | ![]() |
History
Origin
The Regiment was formed as the D’Urban Volunteer Guard, in May 1854. In 1859 the unit became the Durban Rifle Guard. In 1873 the unit became known as the Royal Durban Rifles. In 1889 the unit became known as the Natal Royal Rifles (Left half Battalion). In 1895 it became the Durban Light Infantry.
With the Union Defence Force
On the constitution of the Union Defence Force in 1912, the Unit became the Durban Light Infantry, renamed the 1st Infantry, (Durban Light Infantry). In consequence the Unit was permitted to add to its badge "Primus in Africa", the motto retained by the unit today in recognition of its foundation.
Seniority
In 1935, King George V conferred the title Royal on two Regiments being the Royal Durban Light Infantry and the Royal Natal Carbineers, as a recognition of their seniority and service.[2]
In 1961 with the formation of the Republic, the title "Royal" was considered incompatible and the Regiment reverted to being the Durban Light Infantry.
Regimental Colours
At the centre of the 'Regimental Colour' is the badge worn by the Regiment since 1961. It consists of the recognised Infantry Silver Bugle with tassels and a shield with two wildebeest and a crown. The wildebeest are symbolic of the Province, while the crown retained as a traditional device is reminiscent of the title "Royal" bestowed upon the Regiment by King George V in 1935.
The words "Primus in Africa" are superimposed within a scroll.
The crest is composed of a lion passant guardant on three mounds – the centre mound being charged with a pyramid. The lion is symbolic of strength, courage and fortitude. The three mounds are symbolic of the battles fought in World War II – Monte Stanco, Monte Peza and Monte Sole/Caprara. The pyramid is symbolic of the 1941–1943 Egyptian Campaign.
The garland which surrounds the coloured badge comprises the Thistle of Scotland, the Tudor Rose of England and the Shamrock of Ireland – symbols taken from the old colour – and the other two flowers, the Protea, the National flower of South Africa, and the Strelitzia, the flower of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal).
Previous Dress Insignia
![](../I/m/SADF_and_UDF_era_Durban_Light_Infantry_insignia.jpg)
Current Dress Insignia
![](../I/m/SANDF_era_Infantry_Formation_insignia.jpg)
Active Service
- South Africa, Anglo-Zulu War 1879
- South Africa, Anglo-Boer War 1899–1902
- Relief of Ladysmith 1900
- Natal, Bambatha Rebellion 1906
- South West Africa 1914–1915
- East Africa 1916–1918
- Rand Miners’ Revolt 1922
- World War II
- Western Desert 1941–1943 (See 1st SA Infantry Division)
- Bardia
- Gazala
- Alamein Defence
- Alamein Box
- El Alamein
- Italy 1944–1945
- Casino II
- Florence
- Gothic Line
- Monte Stanco
- Monte Pezza
- Sole/Caprara
- Po Valley
- South West Africa – Namibia 1976–1994, five tours.
- Internally in South Africa in support of the SAPS (SA. Police Service) in the following actions;
- 1949, 1960, 1961
- 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992 (mainly rural areas)
- 1994 Elections.
- 1996 Elections.
- 1999 Elections.
- 2006 Op in Burundi. Detached members to Standing Army control structures.
- 2007–2014. Internal operations.
Leadership
From | Colonels-In-Chief | To |
1905 | Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn KG KT KP GCB GCSI GCMG GCIE GCVO GBE VD TD | 1938 |
1947 | HM Queen Elizabeth II | 1961 |
From | Honorary Colonels | To |
1903 | Maj General Sir George Dartnell KCB CMG | 1913 |
1914 | Col the Hon. Sir Matthew Nathan GCMG PC | 1939 |
1940 | Brig General GMJ Molyneux DSO VD | 1959 |
1960 | Col C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED JP | 2004 |
2005 | Col Errol Richardson | 2013 |
2013 | Awaiting Nomination | Present |
From | Commanding Officers of the Regiment | To |
From | OC Durban Volunteer Guard | To |
11 August 2020 | Colonel, the Hon George Rutherford | 11 August 2020 |
From | OC Durban Rifle Guard | To |
11 August 2020 | Colonel HJ Meller | 11 August 2020 |
1863 | Major AW Evans | 11 August 2020 |
1866 | Capt BW Greenacre | 11 August 2020 |
From | OC Royal Durban Rifles | To |
11 August 2020 | Capt Edward Randles | 11 August 2020 |
1874 | Capt William Randles | 11 August 2020 |
1879 | Capt PS Flack | 11 August 2020 |
1884 | Capt JF King | 11 August 2020 |
1886 | Capt T McCubbin | 11 August 2020 |
From | OC Natal Royal Rifles | To |
1889 | Major T McCubbin | 11 August 2020 |
1893 | Major HR Bousfield | 11 August 2020 |
From | OC Durban Light Infantry | To |
11 August 2020 | Lt Col T McCubbin MG VD | 11 August 2020 |
1902 | Lt Col J Scott-Wylie MVO VD | 11 August 2020 |
1914 | Col J Scott-Wylie MVO VD | 11 August 2020 |
1914 | Lt Col J Dick VD (Second Battalion) | 1915 |
1914 | Lt Col RL Goulding VD (First Battalion) | 1915 |
1915 | Lieut Col GMJ Molyneux DSO VD (First Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1915 | Col J Scott-Wylie DSO MVO VD | 11 August 2020 |
1920 | Lt Col GMJ Molyneux DSO VD | 11 August 2020 |
1925 | Lieut Col JFR Lauth DSO VD | 11 August 2020 |
1930 | Lieut Col CE Borain MC VD | 11 August 2020 |
From | OC Royal Durban Light Infantry | To |
1935 | Lt Col CE Borain MC VD | 11 August 2020 |
1936 | Lt Col IW Nolan VD (First Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1936 | Lt Col LGC Bayliss VD (Second Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1937 | Lt Col J Butler-Porter VD (1/2 Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1940 | Lt Col LC Wendt VD (Second Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1942 | Lt Col J Butler-Porter DSO VD (1/2 Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1943 | Lt Col C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED JP (1/2 Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1946 | Lt Col C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED JP (First Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1946 | Lt Col LC Wendt DSO VD (Second Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1947 | Lt Col AC Martin MC VD (Second Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1950 | Cmdt OS Hampson VD (Second Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1952 | Cmdt C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED VD JP | 11 August 2020 |
1952 | Cmdt OS Hampson VD | 11 August 2020 |
1956 | Cmdt G Jaaback VD | 11 August 2020 |
1961 | Cmdt JH Smallwood JCD | 11 August 2020 |
From | Durban Light Infantry | To |
c. 1961 | Cmdt JH Smallwood SM JCD | c. 1969 |
1969 | Cmdt DN Deavin JCD | 11 August 2020 |
1974 | Cmdt JJ Hulme JCD | 11 August 2020 |
1980 | Cmdt MJ Adrain MMM JCD | 11 August 2020 |
1984 | Cmdt DI Moe SM MMM JCD | 11 August 2020 |
1989 | Cmdt WJ Olivier SM MMM JCD | 11 August 2020 |
1995 | Lt Col GPD De Ricquebourg MMM JCD | 11 August 2020 |
2004 | Lt Col Mark J Whitson MMM JCD | 11 August 2020 |
2011 | Lieut Col PH Bruyns | 11 August 2020 |
2012 | Lt Col SA Mbuyazi (Suspended)[lower-alpha 1] | 11 August 2020 |
2012 | Lt Col MD Motsamai (Caretaker OC)[lower-alpha 2] | 11 August 2020 |
11 August 2020 | Lieut Col Z. Hangana | Present |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
From | Durban Volunteer Guard | To |
11 August 2020 | G Russell | 11 August 2020 |
From | Durban Rifle Guard | To |
1861 | A Miliett | 1862 |
1862 | T Green | 1863 |
1863 | WK Packman | 1864 |
1864 | A Curle | 1866 |
1866 | W Geere | 11 August 2020 |
From | Royal Durban Rifles | To |
1873 | AJ Court | 1873 |
1873 | DI Nolan | 1876 |
1876 | SB Kemp | 1877 |
1877 | W Goodal | 1880 |
1880 | J Archibald | 1886 |
1886 | H Hatchell | 11 August 2020 |
From | Natal Royal Rifles | To |
11 August 2020 | A Forbes | 11 August 2020 |
From | Durban Light Infantry | To |
1895 | RSM A Forbes | 1910 |
1910 | RSM AL Pepper | 1913 |
1913 | RSM A Eales | 1914 |
1914 | RSM A Eales (First Battalion) | 1915 |
1914 | RSM WJ Simpson (Second Battalion) | 1915 |
1915 | RSM A Eales | 1926 |
1927 | RSM G Sime | 1931 |
1932 | RSM PH Johnson | 1933 |
1933 | RSM CA Carlyle | 11 August 2020 |
From | Royal Durban Light Infantry | To |
1933 | RSM CA Carlyle | 1935 |
1936 | RSM CA Carlyle (First Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1942 | RSM LPA Boxhall | 11 August 2020 |
1936 | RSM JWH McGreavey (Second Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1942 | RSM LPA Boxhall (1/2 Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1943 | RSM NJR Punch (1/2 Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1946 | RSM LPA Boxhall (First Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1948 | RSM JF Potgieter (First Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1946 | RSM J.E. Law (Second Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
1950 | RSM W.H. Ward (Second Battalion) | 11 August 2020 |
11 August 2020 | RSM J.F. Potgieter ED | 11 August 2020 |
1956 | RSM J.J. Wiliemse | 11 August 2020 |
1957 | RSM C. Krause | 11 August 2020 |
1959 | RSM A.R. Miles | 11 August 2020 |
From | Durban Light Infantry | To |
1962 | RSM A.R. Miles JCD | 1968 |
1968 | RSM S.M.J. Swanepoel JCD | 1974 |
1974 | RSM R.I. Francis PMM MMM JCD | 1993 |
1993 | RSM Mark J. Whitson MMM JCD (later Commanding Officer) | 1995 |
1995 | RSM W.J. Smith MMM JCD | 1999 |
2000 | RSM Bobby Freeman JCD | 2005 |
2005 | RSM Quentin Lategan MMM | 2005 |
2006 | RSM "Ampie" Vorster | 2011 |
2011 | RSM Vilikazi | Present |
Regimental Headquarters
The regimental headquarters of the DLI has been declared as a National Monument.[4]
- East Wing of the Drill Hall
- Durban Light Infantry (DLI) HQ entrance detail of logo, Durban
- RDLI Bowling Club Entrance
- DLI Logo Window - Sgts Mess
- DLI Consecrated Flag
- DLI Clock Tower
- DLI Clock Tower Plaque
Peacekeeping deployments and training
The Regiment is being deployed in Africa, Burundi, DRC; in support of the United Nations and African Union mandate
All members of the Regiment are volunteers, with employment in the civilian roles, they fulfil their responsibilities and duties on top of their duties and responsibilities to their Families and Employers. An enormous commitment to the safety and security of the Republic of South Africa.
Training is mandatory with the current requirements of Equality and Equity in line with the SANDF Policy. The duration of training places an enormous pressure on members to get Employers to relieve them to attend the courses and training exercises.
Regimental history
"Durban Light Infantry" by Lieut Col AC Martin MC VD BA (Cape) Hon.Ph.D (Natal) was published in 1969.[1][2] It is out of print.
An illustrated history of the 150 years of the Regiment has been prepared by Prof. Brian Kearney, Mr Dave Matthews and Lieut Col "Bill" Olivier SM MMM JCD (Retd.). The book is being sold by the Headquarters Board.
Affiliations
United Kingdom – The Rifle Brigade 1920. United Kingdom – The Royal Green Jackets RGJ 1966
Notes
- Suspended following allegations of wearing awards and decorations not received & possession of stolen property[3]
- Lt Col Motsamai is currently the Commanding Officer of another Reserve Force Unit based in Gauteng
References
- Martin, Lt Col A. C. (1969). "Volume I: 1854–1934". The History of the Durban Light Infantry incorporating that of The Sixth South African Infantry 1915–1918. Durban: The Headquarter Board of the Durban Light Infantry.
- Martin, Lt Col A. C. (1969). "Volume II: 1935–1960". The History of the Durban Light Infantry incorporating that of The Sixth South African Infantry 1915–1917. Durban: The Headquarter Board of the Durban Light Infantry.
- Gibson, Erika (1 October 2012). "CO of Durban Light Infantry in medals scandal". The Witness. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
THE commanding officer-designate of Durban Light Infantry (DLI) is being prosecuted for allegedly wearing the medals of a deceased chaplain of the unit during a parade. Lieutenant-Colonel Sibusiso Amos Mbuyazi (42) apparently wore the padre’s Southern Cross medal, awarded for 30 years’ service, and the Pro Patria decoration, among others, on August 22, when he was awarded his lieutenant-colonel’s rank during a parade in Pretoria.
- "SAHRA – Durban Light Infantry Head Quarters 5 DLI Avenue Durban". SAHRA. South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.