sabrigade

This is an Officer's Cross or Shoulder Belt with both pouch and fittings. The badge is similar to No 1814 in Owen's book except that my version is gilt.

Thank you for the kind comments and for also spending time looking at these posts.

This is a later Khaki version of the helmet. I think the badge is No 1901 in Owen.

This is a cap in my collection. I think the badge depicted is No 1908 in Owen's Book.

A close-up of the Helmet Plate.

This is one of the similar helmets I have in my collection. The major difference is the Helmet Plate which is a white metal version. This very rare helmet plate was only worn by Native Constables from 1913 to 1926. It is Number 1897 in Colin Owen's definitive book on Military Badges for Southern Africa.

Helmet tin.

A better view of the helmet.

This is the dress uniform of a South African Police Lieutenant-Colonel. It is attributed to Lt-Col Devenish.

Will

Very similar - although the civic guard also had military jobs - i.e. guarding power stations , docks etc.. We also have a reserve for the S.A.P. -which is still active, but I must look-up when it was formed. My problem is that I carry this info. in my head and at my age that's not always wise !!!

Mervyn

Please do that, I have a tunic to the Civic Guard, which is post World War One, that I will also post sometime.

Dear Will

Nice to see a complete uniform - outside of museums they just don't seem to exist. I am pretty sure that this helmet is the 1st. pattern - slightly taller than the 2nd. - if it says 'POLITIE' and not 'POLISIE' it is the pre-1926, or 1st.

Now... if everyone else will also post something, I won't feel like I'm staging a coup !!!

Mervyn

I have been waiting for a "partner in crime", excuse the pun, to start doing this.

It is the Politie version and I have the second version as depicted in your post.

This is the uniform that I have in my collection with equipment that was used during the initail skirmishes in Johannesburg in 1922 between the Strikers and the South African Police. Martial Law was subsequently declared by General Jan Smuts.

Would this be something similar to the Civic Guard that formed part of the South African Police before WW1 and continued into WW2? Over 3000 of them participated in the 1922 strike in Johannesburg as well? Very interesting item.

Hi Mervyn,

I have a different variant used during the 1922 Johannesburg strike, dating can also be done using the specific badge on the helmet. I will post it as soon as I receive the photographs from home. Keep the posts coming!

Regards,

Will

The only Egypt Medal in my collection. Awarded to No 4582 BUGLER F. BAMBRICK of the 3rd King's Royal Rifle Corps.

Hope this helps.

Congratulations! I hope to get a copy.

Regards,

Will

Hi Mervyn,

Thanks for the post. I have branched out to the early South African police forces and have collected a few items of headdress, badges, medals etc. Can you post something in that line as well?

My trip home has been postponed for a few days as I first have to go on a recce to another country.

Regards,

Will

Extract from his file.

I think that because of the symptoms and causes of pleurisy, one of which may be a form of pneumonia, his medical condition was not picked up if the initial medical examination did actually take place when he joined at Potchefstroom. The medical examination section appears to be blank on his attestation form.

I recently purchased this memorial plaque in South Africa. It was given to the next of kin of No 4117 Private Lesley West Dart of the 11th South African Infantry Regiment. He attested on 8 DECEMBER 1915 and died on 31 DECEMBER 1915 in the Potchefstroom Military Hospital. Dart therefore only had 23 days military service at the time of his death. The cause of death is listed as pleurisy. He was 20 years old. Dart's only medal entitlement is to the 1914-20 British War Medal. I have managed to re-unite the medal with the plaque due to the assistance and insight of a very co-operative collector in South Africa. This is the first plaque that I have seen where only the individual's initials and not full names are on the plaque. Is this unusual?

Poncho/gas cape

Officer's greatcoat with private purchase helmet.

The flag under which the South Africans served.

Some sundry items including an ADC brassard and a sandbag that was converted into a first aid bag by Pte Betteridge of the 4th SAI. This bag was used by him during the battle of Delville Wood.

The original brassard worn by the Staff Captain of the 1st South African Infantry Brigade, Major Pepper, OBE, MC, DCM. The Springbok emblem is very apparent. The blue brassard indicated Brigade Headquarters.