It is naturally with very mixed feelings that I will be watching
this final parade of the Rhodesia and Nyasaland Army, but it is
indeed a fitting tribute that such a parade should be held in honour
of the Federal Prime Minister.
Although this force is now to be split. I am confident that its
members will serve in their new roles with the Governments of Her
Majesty's Service to the same high degree that they served the
Federal Government, and I would like to take this opportunity of
wishing them well in their future careers.
Today is for us a memorable but sad occasion. Memorable in that we
have all units of the Rhodesia and Nyasaland Army represented on
parade, but sad because it is the last time that this will happen,
and because we are saying farewell to the Federal Prime Minister—who
has played such a prominent part in building up and equipping our
Army to what it is today
THE RHODESIA AND NYASALAND CORPS OF ENGINEERS
The Rhodesia and Nyasaland Corps of Engineers was founded in 1957,
in succession to the Southern Rhodesia Engineers which were placed
in suspended animation in 1956.
In these days of science and mechanical power, military engineering
is highly varied. It has one firm purpose- to support the Army
throughout the theatre of war and to make sure it gets the
engineering it needs to live, to move and to fight.
The Rhodesia and Nyasaland Corps of Engineers are organized as
follows:
No. I WORKS SQUADRON (REGULAR FORCE)
This squadron fulfils the prime function of construction and
maintenance of military installations. It comprises both European
and African Engineers.
NO 2 FIELD SQUADRON (TERRITORIAL FORCE)
This squadron supports the Army in the field in all field engineering, demolitions, airfield and road construction, bridging and water supply, Field Engineers are trained in Salisbury by the Regular Officers and NCOs of the Corps. The Director of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Engineers is Major F. H. Rose.
THE RHODESIA AND NYASALAND CORPS OF SIGNALS
The Rhodesia and Nyasaland Corps of Signals succeeded the Southern
Rhodesia Signal Corps in 1957. The Corps is responsible for all
communications within the Army, except internal unit communications,
and for the maintenance and repair of all signal equipment in the Army.-
The Corps consists of—
REGULAR FORCE
No 2 and 4 (Lines of Communication) Signal Squadron and the School
of Signals, which comprise both European and African personnel.
TERRITORIAL FORCE
No. 5 and 6 Signal Squadrons. The Corps will revert to the Southern
Rhodesia Order of Battle. Elements of Signals will be included in
the Northern Rhodesia Order of Battle. The Director of Signals is
Lieutenant Colonel D H. Grainger, O.B.E. E.D.
THE FIRST BATTALION KINGS-AFRICAN RIFLES
CENTRAL AFRICA RIFLES
The first levies of this battalion were raised from the Atonga at
the end of the nineteenth century for the purpose of suppressing the
slave trading of the Yaos. Further companies of Anyanja and Yao were
soon added. At this time, the regiment was designated the "The
Central Africa Regiment" but this title was changed to "Kings
African Rifles" in 1901. Instruction in the early days was carried
out by Sikh non-commissioned officers, a photograph of one of whom
appears on this page.
The battalion look part in the quelling of the Ashanti rising, in
19(H). It subsequently served with distinction in both world
wars,seeing active service in Somaliland, Abyssinia, Madagascar and
Burma. Since World War 2 the battalion has seen active service in
Malaya.
In 1957 the Regiment was re-designated "Kings African Rifles
(Central Africa Rifles)".
This battalion which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel T. P. J.
Lewis will remain in Nyasaland after the dissolution of the
Federation.
THE SECOND BATTALION KINGS AFRICAN RIFLES
CENTRAL AFRICA RIFLES
This battalion's history is closely allied to that of the first
Battalion. It was formed in 1899, with the nucleus of its first
companies provided by the First Battalion- It served with
distinction in the same theatres as its older sister. On the
dissolution, this battalion willbecome the Second Battalion of the
Northern Rhodesia Regiment; because of this, its Colours, shown on
this page, are to be "laid up" in Zomba before the battalion
rebadges in January. 1964. The battalion is commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel T. L. Passaportis.
THE FIRST BATTALION NORTHERN RHODESIA REGIMENT
When the Charter Company look over the administration of Northern
Rhodesia in 1895. two police forces were formed, the North Eastern
Rhodesia Constabulary and the Barotse Native Police, in North West
Rhodesia. In 1911, when North Eastern and North Western Rhodesia
were combined, these police forces combined to form the Northern
Rhodesia Police. This force consisted of a small section of
Town and District Police and a larger military company.
The military branch saw active service throughout the 1914-18 War.
In April. 1932, the police and military branches split and the title
"Northern Rhodesia Regiment" was adopted a year later. The Regiment
saw service in the Second World War in Africa and Burma, and in
Malaya since the war
The Battalion is stationed near Ndola and is commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel F. D. Slater. It will return to the Northern Rhodesia
Order of Battle on the dissolution of the Federation.
THE FIRST BATTALION RHODESIAN AFRICAN RIFLES
In May, 1940. it was decided to form an African Regiment in the
Colony of Southern Rhodesia, just as it had the Rhodesian Native
Regiment in the 1914-18 War.
The Battalion first saw active service in Burma, during the Second
World War. It went to Egypt in 1952, in a General Duties capacity,
and after retraining went to Malaya, on active service, in 1956.
In 1952. Her Majesty The Queen approved that the Regiment should
succeed to the Battle Honours of the Rhodesia Native Regiment, which
are now emblazoned on its Colours, with the Battle Honours awarded
to the Regiment in the Second World War.
The Regiment, which is stationed in Bulawayo, will return to the
Southern Rhodesia Order of Battle. It is commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel S B. Comberbach.
THE FIRST BATTALION RHODESIAN LIGHT INFANTRY
The Regiment was formed at Bulawayo on the 1st February. 1960, and
is the first Regular European battalion ever to be formed in the
Federation. The Badge of the Regiment is a silver lion and tusk,
surmounted by a crown above a Light Infantry bugle.
The Battalion moved to a new barracks in Salisbury in October, 1961.
This unit is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel R. A. Edwards, D.S.O.,
MC., and will become part of the Southern Rhodesia Order of Battle
on the dissolution of the Federation.
"C" SQUADRON, THE RHODESIAN SPECIAL AIR SERVICE REGIMENT
This Regular Force European Squadron was formed at the same lime as
the Selous Scouts and the Rhodesian Light Infantry.
Its picked men arc trained for delivery by sea. air or land in the
deep penetration reconnaissance and raiding role.
A Volunteer SAS Squadron from Southern Rhodesia served in Malaya in
1951; also under the title of "C" Squadron.
The present Squadron, which is stationed at Ndola, under the command
of Major E. W. D. Coventry, will become part or the Southern
Rhodesia Order of Battle and will he stationed in Salisbury after
the dissolution of the Federation.
DEPOT THE ROYAL RHODESIA REGIMENT
This is the Training Depot of the Royal Rhodesia Regiment. It was
opened in October, 1955, at Llewellin Barracks, Heany. Here,
trainees undergo four and a half months continuous training under
regular instructors of the Federal Army. On completion of this
period, trainees are posted to the Territorial Force Units to
complete their Peace Training Liability.
This Unit will continue to provide the same service to the Southern
Rhodesia Army after the dissolution of the Federation. It is
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. A. Veitch.
Trainees on parade today are representing the whole of the
Territorial Force.
The Regiment is represented today by Depot, The Royal Rhodesia
Regiment Its history dated to the 1890 Pioneer Column which
consisted of the Pioneer Corps and the British South Africa Company
Police.
The Pioneer Corps became the military ancestors of various volunteer
units which, after taking part in the Matabele War of 1893 and the
Rebellion of 1896, gave rise to the Southern Rhodesia Volunteers.
From these volunteers a unit, the Rhodesia Regiment, was formed, for
service in the South African War of 1899-1902, where it assisted in
the Relief of Mafeking and took part in the Elands River Battle.
During World War 1, the Regiment served in South West Africa and
Tanganyika. The Colours and Battle Honours of these regimentswere
transferred to the present regiment in 1927. During the Second World
War. personnel of the Regiment were drafted into the British Army
and Colonial Units and saw service in every theatre of war In
recognition of this world wide service and the war service of earlier Rhodesia Regiments His Majesty King George VI conferred the
title "Royal" on the Regiment in 1947.
The Regiment has nine battalions, four of which are "Active" and the
remainder Reserve battalions. The Battalions in Southern Rhodesia
remain on the new Order of Battle. After the 31st May 1964. service
in the Northern Rhodesia Territorial Force will be non- racial and
on a voluntary basis
RHODESIA AND NYASALAND CHAPLAINS DEPARTMENT
The Chaplains Department cares for the spiritual needs of
servicemen, their wives and families. Chaplains cover the Church of
England, Roman Catholic Dutch Reformed and Free Church
Denominations.
Catechists work amongst African personnel in the Battalions. and a
large number of Officiating Chaplains are always available to those
who require guidance and advice on any problem The Deputy Assistant
Chaplain General is (Rev.) B. Nisbet. M.A., BD
RHODESIA AND NYASALAND MEDICAL CORPS
The Rhodesia and Nyasaland Medical Corps inherited its tradition
from the Southern Rhodesia Medical Corps.. formed for war service in
1939. and which served in East Africa before being absorbed into the
Royal Army Medical Corps The Southern Rhodesia Medical Corps
was revived after the war as a Territorial Force Unit, with
companies in Salisbury and Bulawayo. It was placed in 'cold storage'
in 1957.
The Rhodesia and Nyasaland Medical Corps was gazetted as a Regular
Corps of Ihe Federal Army on 8 February. 1957, and was affiliated to
the Royal Army Medical Corps in December. 1957. It was greatly
honoured in May, 1960, when, in Salisbury, H.M. The Queen Mother
presented! to the Corps an historic Royal Army Medical Corps sword,
dating back to June 23, 1898.
The task of the Corps is to supply medical and health services to
Regular members of the Federal Army and Royal Rhodesian Air Force,
and their dependants.
In addition, the re-embodied Southern Rhodesia Medical Corps
Territorial Force Medical Officers and Other Ranks, are part of the
Corps and are permanently attached to Territorial Force Battalions,
for whom they supply medical facilities during training periods or
on operations.
The Corps will continue in its task of medical care for the new
Southern Rhodesian Army and Air Force The Deputy Director of Medical
Services is Colonel R. H. Bathgate-Johnston, T.D.
THE RHODESIA AND NYASALAND ARMY SERVICES CORPS
The Rhodesia and Nyasaland Army Services Corps provides Ihe Army's
material needs and is divided into three main branches
Ordnance and Supply (Regular Force)—is concerned with the provision
and control of all Army supplies and equipment;
Workshop (Regular force)—maintain and repair the vehicles, weapons
and instruments in use in the Army, The Workshops' stall are all
qualified tradesmen;
Supply and Transport {Regular and Territorial Force)—embodies a
regular Askari Platoon and two Territorial Force Coloured Afro-Asian
and Eurasian Platoons. There is also a Territorial Force Air Supply
Unit, to assist in supporting Units in the field.
Various Territorial Force elements support the Ordnance and Workshop
Units.
The Corps will continue to form part of the Southern Rhodesia Order
of Battle. The Director Army Services Corps is Lieutenant Colonel F. A. Amos.
THE RHODESIA AND NYASALAND ARMY PAY CORPS
Whatever their role in the Army, all soldiers must be paid, and the
Pay Corps issues and accounts for all military pay and allowances.
To fulfil this task. No. 1 Pay Unit provides the staff of the main
Pay Office and unit paymasters and clerks in each unit. It has a
Territorial Force element to augment the Regular Unit.
The Corps also maintains all Regular. Territorial and Reserve
personnel records; No. 1 Records Unit is staffed by members of the
Rhodesia and Nyasaland Infantry, attached for this purpose. In all.
some 200,000 personal records and pay accounts are maintained.
A number of personnel files will be returned to Northern Rhodesia
and Nyasaland, which will maintain pay and records elements. The
Corps will revert to the Southern Rhodesia Order of Battle. The
Chief Paymaster is Lieutenant Colonel V. T. Bratton.
RHODESIA AND NYASALAND ARMY EDUCATIONAL CORPS
Formed in July, 1961, from the Education Branch of the Rhodesia and
Nyasaland Corps of Infantry, the Corps is responsible for the
Education of all Askari and their children, at primary level.
Under the auspices of the Corps there are children's Schools and
Unit Education Centres in all African Units. The Depot Rhodesia and
Nyasaland Army Education Corps at Inkomo Garrison undertakes the
specialist training of clerks and educational instructors and the
education of the Junior Leader Unit at Secondary level.
The Corps will continue to provide this service for the Southern
Rhodesia Army, with the exception of the Junior Leader Unit, which
is to be discontinued. The Director of Army Education is Major E. G.
Thomas.
End
Thanks to Rob Thurman (RhAF) for making the scanned images available to ORAFs.
For ease of reference and reading, ORAFs has included the text from each image
