Durban Light Infantry

Durban Light Infantry
Durban Light Infantry
	SANDF Durban Light Infantry emblem
Active	May 1854 to present
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Union of South Africa; Republic of South Africa;
Branch	South African Army; South African Army;
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 / 29.84722°S 31.01583°E
Motto(s)	Primus in Africa
Battle honours
Awarded
	Unknown: South Africa 1879 Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: South Africa 1899-1902 Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Relief of Ladysmith Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Natal 1906 Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: South West Africa 1914-1915 Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Western Desert 1941-43 Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Alamein Defence Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Alamein Box Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: El Alamein Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Italy 1944-45 Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Casino II Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Gothic Line Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Monte Stanco Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Monte Pezza Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Sole/Caprara Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
	Unknown: Po Valley Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help
Commanders
Current; commander	Lieut Col Z. Hangana
Honorary Colonel	Vacant Post
Insignia
Company level Insignia
SA Mechanised Infantry beret bar circa 1992

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]

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

Current Dress Insignia

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
1. Western Desert 1941–1943 (See 1st SA Infantry Division)
2. Bardia
3. Gazala
4. Alamein Defence
5. Alamein Box
6. El Alamein
7. Italy 1944–1945
8. Casino II
9. Florence
10. Gothic Line
11. Monte Stanco
12. Monte Pezza
13. Sole/Caprara
14. 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;
1. 1949, 1960, 1961
2. 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992 (mainly rural areas)
3. 1994 Elections.
4. 1996 Elections.
5. 1999 Elections.
2006 Op in Burundi. Detached members to Standing Army control structures.
2007–2014. Internal operations.

Leadership

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
3 January 2025	Colonel, the Hon George Rutherford	3 January 2025
From	OC Durban Rifle Guard	To
3 January 2025	Colonel HJ Meller	3 January 2025
1863	Major AW Evans	3 January 2025
1866	Capt BW Greenacre	3 January 2025
From	OC Royal Durban Rifles	To
3 January 2025	Capt Edward Randles	3 January 2025
1874	Capt William Randles	3 January 2025
1879	Capt PS Flack	3 January 2025
1884	Capt JF King	3 January 2025
1886	Capt T McCubbin	3 January 2025
From	OC Natal Royal Rifles	To
1889	Major T McCubbin	3 January 2025
1893	Major HR Bousfield	3 January 2025
From	OC Durban Light Infantry	To
3 January 2025	Lt Col T McCubbin MG VD	3 January 2025
1902	Lt Col J Scott-Wylie MVO VD	3 January 2025
1914	Col J Scott-Wylie MVO VD	3 January 2025
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)	3 January 2025
1915	Col J Scott-Wylie DSO MVO VD	3 January 2025
1920	Lt Col GMJ Molyneux DSO VD	3 January 2025
1925	Lieut Col JFR Lauth DSO VD	3 January 2025
1930	Lieut Col CE Borain MC VD	3 January 2025
From	OC Royal Durban Light Infantry	To
1935	Lt Col CE Borain MC VD	3 January 2025
1936	Lt Col IW Nolan VD (First Battalion)	3 January 2025
1936	Lt Col LGC Bayliss VD (Second Battalion)	3 January 2025
1937	Lt Col J Butler-Porter VD (1/2 Battalion)	3 January 2025
1940	Lt Col LC Wendt VD (Second Battalion)	3 January 2025
1942	Lt Col J Butler-Porter DSO VD (1/2 Battalion)	3 January 2025
1943	Lt Col C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED JP (1/2 Battalion)	3 January 2025
1946	Lt Col C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED JP (First Battalion)	3 January 2025
1946	Lt Col LC Wendt DSO VD (Second Battalion)	3 January 2025
1947	Lt Col AC Martin MC VD (Second Battalion)	3 January 2025
1950	Cmdt OS Hampson VD (Second Battalion)	3 January 2025
1952	Cmdt C Metcalfe SSA JCD ED VD JP	3 January 2025
1952	Cmdt OS Hampson VD	3 January 2025
1956	Cmdt G Jaaback VD	3 January 2025
1961	Cmdt JH Smallwood JCD	3 January 2025
From	Durban Light Infantry	To
c. 1961	Cmdt JH Smallwood SM JCD	c. 1969
1969	Cmdt DN Deavin JCD	3 January 2025
1974	Cmdt JJ Hulme JCD	3 January 2025
1980	Cmdt MJ Adrain MMM JCD	3 January 2025
1984	Cmdt DI Moe SM MMM JCD	3 January 2025
1989	Cmdt WJ Olivier SM MMM JCD	3 January 2025
1995	Lt Col GPD De Ricquebourg MMM JCD	3 January 2025
2004	Lt Col Mark J Whitson MMM JCD	3 January 2025
2011	Lieut Col PH Bruyns	3 January 2025
2012	Lt Col SA Mbuyazi (Suspended)^[a]	3 January 2025
2012	Lt Col MD Motsamai (Caretaker OC)^[b]	3 January 2025
3 January 2025	Lieut Col Z. Hangana	Present
From	Regimental Sergeants Major	To
From	Durban Volunteer Guard	To
3 January 2025	G Russell	3 January 2025
From	Durban Rifle Guard	To
1861	A Miliett	1862
1862	T Green	1863
1863	WK Packman	1864
1864	A Curle	1866
1866	W Geere	3 January 2025
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	3 January 2025
From	Natal Royal Rifles	To
3 January 2025	A Forbes	3 January 2025
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	3 January 2025
From	Royal Durban Light Infantry	To
1933	RSM CA Carlyle	1935
1936	RSM CA Carlyle (First Battalion)	3 January 2025
1942	RSM LPA Boxhall	3 January 2025
1936	RSM JWH McGreavey (Second Battalion)	3 January 2025
1942	RSM LPA Boxhall (1/2 Battalion)	3 January 2025
1943	RSM NJR Punch (1/2 Battalion)	3 January 2025
1946	RSM LPA Boxhall (First Battalion)	3 January 2025
1948	RSM JF Potgieter (First Battalion)	3 January 2025
1946	RSM J.E. Law (Second Battalion)	3 January 2025
1950	RSM W.H. Ward (Second Battalion)	3 January 2025
3 January 2025	RSM J.F. Potgieter ED	3 January 2025
1956	RSM J.J. Wiliemse	3 January 2025
1957	RSM C. Krause	3 January 2025
1959	RSM A.R. Miles	3 January 2025
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

^ ^a ^b 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.
^ ^a ^b 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.

External links

Record of the Durban Light Infantry

[4] Suspended following allegations of wearing awards and decorations not received & possession of stolen property^[3]

[5] Lt Col Motsamai is currently the Commanding Officer of another Reserve Force Unit based in Gauteng

[MartinVolI-1] 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.

[MartinVolII-2] 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.

[3] 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-6] "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.

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