WITWATERSRAND RIFLES SPORRAN

[Mervyn Mitton]

Sporran for the band of the Witwatersrand Rifles - usually known as the Wits. Rifles.

They were raised in 1903 on the West Rand - outside of Johhanesburg - and were entirely recruited from miners. There were 8 companies numbering 1200 men. The Boer War had finished in 1902 and many British units had returned home - Wits Rifles were to fill the gap. The centre of their badge shows their origins, since it show mine winding head-gear. They were allied with the Scottish Rifles - hence the Scottish influence.

During WW1 they served in the ccampaign in German South West Africa. In WW2 , there were two Battalions and both saw much service - they were joined with other units and became part of 12 S.A. Motorised Infantry Brigade, which was active in the Appenine Mountains of Italy in 1945.

Their motto is : Pro Deo Rege Patria - For God King and Country.

They are still a serving Territorial unit and were recently serving with the UN in Zaire (old Belgian Congo)

17.5 inches overall (44cm)

Edited July 8, 2009 by Mervyn Mitton

[Mervyn Mitton]

I think this top part of a sporran is called the cantle ? You will see they shortened the motto after 1964 to leave off KING. Because S.A. opted out of the Commonwealth at that time a lot of our regiments had to take off their affiliation with the Crown. Not at all popular.

[Mervyn Mitton]