PAST EVENTS
The military history which Major Keith Archibald presented to the November meeting spanned a period of some 140 years and was, in fact, the history of his own regiment "The Natal Carbineers with special reference to the South African Border War". Induced by the 7th and 8th Frontier Wars the governor of the Cape, Sir Harry Smith, urged local communities to establish volunteer units to protect home and hearth. Reaction in Natal led to the formation of the Bergtheil Volunteers (70 strong) and the Pietermaritzburg Yeomanry (40 strong) in 1848. The Yeomanry disbanded in 1851 only to be resurrected as the Umgeni Rangers. In 1855 the Crimean War threatened the withdrawal of the Imperial garrison from Natal. This led to the establishment of the Natal Carbineers (formally gazetted on 13.3.1855). In 1860 the Umgeni Rangers then joined the Carbineers as their 'Karkloof Troop'. Whether by antecedent units or continuous service, the Natal Carbineers are South Africa's senior regiment and was the oldest regiment in the old British colonies. Since 140 years ago the Natal Carbineers have been fighting in every war that they could reach. This has resulted in the regiment being involved in active service in one out of every four years. The longest periods of peace were the 20 years between the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer Wars and between the two world wars. Singling out specific occasions, highlighting bravery, endurance and stamina, Keith mentioned the valiant last stand of the Carbineers at Isandlwana; their holding out against 64 German tanks, artillery and infantry in the battle of Bir Taieb el Esem (Sidi Rezegh); the siege of Ladysmith; their horsemanship and fighting skills in the Zulu rebellion of 1906; battles in Abyssinia and the capture of Monte Vigesse in Italy; a 320 mile march on horseback in 16 days, to give battle to the Germans on the 17th, with a follow-up of another 30 miles (Gibeon, 1915). The regiment holds 26 battle honours and has had 125 individual awards. Among the latter are one VC, two DSO and fourteen MC.
Keith rounded off his talk by a brief reference to specific features of NC dress regulations, traditions and customs, and then proceeded to show a 45-minute video film of the regiment's life on the Border. About a dozen colour plates showing Carbineer uniforms through the ages were on display and attracted much attention.
Fellow-member Major Denis Sheil-Small thanked the speaker for a well-prepared, most interesting lecture.
FUTURE EVENTS ( Please diarise)
1989
JANUARY 12th "AUSTERLITZ" 1805. DR ANGUS ALLEN will present a video with introductory talk. PLEASE NOTE that this meeting will start PROMPTLY at 7.30 p.m.
February 16th: (THIRD THURSDAY) "Up the Line on the Western Front" An audio visual presentation by Major Darrell Hall.
The venue for all meetings will be the 'Bourq Inn' on the lower ground floor, 'SB' Bourquin Building (NPA Community Services) on the corner of Jan Smuts Highway and Buro Crescent, Mayville, on the second Thursday in the month (unless otherwise advised), commencing at 19h30. Ice and water jugs will be provided, but please bring your own GLASS and bottled or canned refreshments. There is ample parking, under guard, in the grounds. FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME TO COME ALONG.
SEASON'S GREETINGS
We wish all members and their families a happy Christmas and a fruitful and active Society year in 1989.
(Mrs) Tania van der Watt,
Secretary, Durban Branch,
S.A. Military History Society,
Box 870, HILLCREST, 3650.
Tel. (031) vvvvvv