Worcester Commando
Worcester Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.
History
Origin
Worcester Commando was the second oldest unit in South African military history. It started as the Worcester Volunteer Rifles on the 21st June 1883 and had many name changes over the years such as:
- Western Rifles A Company
- Worcester Skiet Kommando
Operations
This unit volunteered members for both World Wars and was involved in border duty during the Border War as well as during internal unrest.
The units banner was unveiled in 1910.
The unit received the Freedom of Worcester in 1982 and received its colours in 1992.
Disbandment
This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[1][2] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 “because of the role it played in the apartheid era”, according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.[3]
Unit emblems
Leadership
Leadership
From |
Honorary Colonels |
To |
From |
Commanding Officer |
To |
From |
Regimental Sergeant Major |
To |
References
See also
South African Army Units |
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Divisions and Brigades | |
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Armoured Formation (SAAAF) | |
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Infantry Formation (SAAIF) | Training | |
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Parachute Infantry | |
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Air Assault Infantry | |
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Seaborne Infantry | |
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Light Infantry | |
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Mechanised Infantry | |
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Motorised Infantry | |
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Artillery Formation | |
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Air Defence Artillery Formation | |
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Engineer Formation | |
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Training Formation | |
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Support Formation |
- Army Support Bases (Eastern Cape, Johannesburg, Kimberley, KZN, Limpopo, Potcheftstroom, Western Cape, Mpumalanga)
- Mobilisation Centre
- Main Ordnance Depot
- National Ceremonial Guard
- 15 Maint Unit
- Other Maintenance Units
- 37 Field Workshop SAOSC
- Other Field Workshops
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Signals Formation | Regular |
- 1 Signal Regt
- 2 Signal Regt
- 3 Signal Regt
- 4 Signal Regt
- 5 Signal Regt
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Reserve | 6 Signal Regt
7 Signal Group
11 Field Postal Unit
- 71 Signals Unit
- 84 Signal Unit
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Disbanded or Amalgamated Units | SADF Commands | |
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SADF Corps | |
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SADF Divisions | |
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SADF Brigades | |
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UDF and SADF Regiments and Battalions | |
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SADF Homeland Battalions | |
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SADF Military Areas | |
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SADF Commando System | |
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SADF State Presidents Guard | |
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SADF Mobilisation Units |
- 14 Reception Depot
- 15 Reception Depot
- 16 Reception Depot
- 17 Reception Depot
- 19 Reception Depot
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- 1 BDF Infantry Battalion
- 2 BDF Infantry Battalion
- BDF Parachute Battalion
- BDF Military School
- BDF Special Forces
- 1 BDF Military Area
- 2 BDF Military Area
- 3 BDF Military Area
- BDF Signals Unit
- BDF Bafokeng base
- BDF Mankwe base
- BDF Odi base
- BDF Thaba'Nchu base
- BDF Taung base
- BDF Air Wing
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- VDF Headquarters Sibasa
- 1 VDF Battalion Manenu
- 2 VDF Battalion Maunavhathu
- VDF Vuwani Military Base
- VDF Signals Unit
- VDF Air Wing
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- 1 CDF Battalion
- CDF Special Forces
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- 1 TDF Battalion
- TDF Special Forces
- TDF Mounted Battalion
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Volunteers of Union of South Africa World War 1 Europe Campaign 1914-1918 | |
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Volunteers of Union of South Africa World War 1 East Africa Campaign 1914-1915 |
- 1st Infantry ACF
- 2nd Infantry ACF
- 5th Infantry ACF
- 9th Infantry ACF
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