sabrigade

The Transvaal Volunteer Corps slouch hat badge.

Broad rimmed original field wide-brimmed hat as wron by members of the Johannesburg Vrijwilligers or Volunteers Corps. This headdress became their distinguishing feature. It was worn from 1893 to 1899.

ZARP “BRITISH COLONIAL PATTERN” HELMET In June of 1877, a white helmet was authorized by the British authorities for use and wear throughout the Empire. It is this pattern helmet that was adopted and uses by the ZARPs. Known as the Foreign Service helmet, the helmet was made of cork covered in white cloth with six panels. Peaks and sides were bound in white cloth. The spike is fitted into an acanthus leaf base. The spike, chin scales and helmet plate are all made of white metal. This specific helmet plate was worn prior to 1901 and, according to Curzon, was worn on “a white helmet by Foot Police”. Several manufacturers produced these helmets so “subtle” differences in design do exist

3RD BATTERY Z.A.R. STAATS ARTILLERIE BUSBY: The “Busby” is the English name for the Hungarian headdress that was made from fur. It has a coloured bag hanging from the top and the end was attached to the shoulder as a defence against sabre cuts. In the Hussar form, this form of military headdress reached its popularity in the years before the First World War. This is one of the few original busbies known to have survived from the unit. ZARP FORAGE CAP A forage cap is the designation given to various types of military undress, fatigue or working headdresses. In the British military, the forage cap was given a peak to give it a smarter appearance. The foot police were issued forage caps similar to the British Pattern 1871 forage cap. The cap has a dark blue band and has a brass “ZAR” monogram.

A member of the foot police of the ZARP, uniform is dated to 1896. ZARP UNIFORM 1895 The Staats Artillerie uniforms and the later ZARP patterns were influenced predominantly by artillery regiments of the German, French and Dutch-speaking countries, while the influences from the British Royal Artillery were also noticeable. From approximately 1890, a unique police uniform began to appear and was recorded. In 1895, a contract was signed with a British firm, Gordon Mitchell of London, for the manufacture of uniforms. The tunic on display is made from dark blue serge wool edged with black mohair. It is fastened with hooks and ties. The letters “ZAR” on the right collar are made from brass. The cap is based on the British pattern 1871 shako or forage cap and bears the brass monogram “ZAR”. The trousers and boots that form part of this display are unfortunately not original but the trousers are an early SAP issue and the boots are black British ankle length hobnail boots similar to the hobnail boots originally issued to the members of the Foot Police. A brown leather belt with an ornate brass buckle with the “ZAR” monogram was worn.

This was part of a display that I presented at the SA National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg. The collection now forms an integral part of my displays at home.

Some background to the South West African Police and their history: "GALLANTRY AWARDS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE 1913 TO 1994 INCLUDING A COMPLETE ROLL OF HONOUR" BY TERENCE KING, assisted by Audrey Portman “In South West Africa in the meantime, the influence of national socialism had been evident as far back as 1932. By 1939, Germans living in the territory, who had begun to adopt Hitler’s philosophies in their lives, had aggravated the situation. Information gathered by the South African Police in 1939 led to the uncovering of plans for an insurrection in Windhoek and Swakopmund, which was to take place on Hitler's birthday, 20 April 1939. The objective of the uprising was to overthrow the local government by force, and present South West Africa to Hitler as a birthday gift. The total strength of the South West Africa Police was only 423 men, and they were spread out across the entire country. This made it impossible for them to be able to take effective action against the thousands of determined Germans who were well organised and capable of launching a concentrated attack. A South African Police division of 11 officers and 315 NCOs and men, was hastily mobilized, and set out for South West Africa on 17 April 1939, arriving in Windhoek in the early hours of 20 April. In a show of force, the regiment marched through the main street of Windhoek to the showground, from where they were sent back into town, and by midday, order had been restored. All swastikas, flags and banners bearing Nazi slogans had been taken down and destroyed, and over the next few days, the Nazi ring leaders were arrested and interned at the concentration camp set up on the outskirts of Windhoek. The Union government decreed that the policing of the South West Africa should be entrusted to the South African Police, and in terms of an act hastily passed in parliament, the SAP took over the policing of South West Africa on 1 June 1939. All 423 members of the South West African Police (243 Whites and 180 non‑Whites) were absorbed into the SAP.”

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2011/post-3034-0-83084500-1313250337.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2011/post-3034-0-83084500-1313250337.jpg

EMIN RELIEF MEDAL DISPLAY

DISPLAY SHOWCASE

N.M.C. ISSUE SPEAR

THE N.E.A.C. CONTINGENT MARCHING IN LONDON, MASEMULA WAS PART OF IT.

HISTORY AND STORY OF THE N.M.C.

Masemula's decoration and campaign medals.

More insignia and a map that indicates the route used by Masemula for his escape from Tobruk.

Badges and insignia, not the best photograph with the reflection from the flash!

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2011/post-3034-0-14811600-1313248855.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2011/post-3034-0-14327600-1313248857.jpg WW2 South African "polo" helmet and "bush" tunic

SHOWCASE AND DISPLAY

COMPLETE VIEW WHICH INCLUDES ORIGINAL BOOTS

WW2 Native Militray Corps uniform.

A DIFFERENT ANGLE