South African First City Regiment
Encyclopedia
First City is an infantry
regiment
of the South African Army
. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States
Army National Guard
unit.
The QVR and the FCV fought in the Cape Frontier Wars 9th Frontier War (1877-1878), the QVR fought in the Morosi Campaign (1879). FCV fought in the Basutoland Gun War (1880-1881). The QVR and the FCV later fought in the Bechuanaland campaign (1897), and in the Second Boer War|Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).
On 1 July 1913, the QVR amalgamated with the FCV and was incorporated into the Citizen Force
of the new Union Defence Forces as the 4th Infantry (First Eastern Rifles). It served in German South West Africa 1914-1915.
However, in 1924 the First Eastern Rifles were renamed the 4th Infantry (First City). The numerical part of the title was dropped in 1932, making the regiment simply First City. First City is never called First City "Regiment" . When spoken of it is "The" First City.
In the mid 1930s, the regiment adopted Scottish
uniform
, including the Graham of Montrose
tartan
.
During World War II
, FC served in the Madagascar campaign
(1942). On 5 October 1943, First City, South Africa’s senior Scottish unit, was temporarily "married up" with the Cape Town Highlanders
to form the FC/CTH which was part of the 12th South African Motorised Brigade of the South African 6th Armoured Division. The “marriage” lasted until 8 May 1945. After completing its training in Egypt, the division landed at Taranto
, Italy
on 20 April 1944 and was fought exclusively in Italy during its existence. In 1946, the regiment was reconstituted as a component of the country’s part-time forces and reformed First City.
From 1954 to 1956, FC was amalgamated with the Kaffrarian Rifles
, known as First City/Kaffrarian Rifles. In 1956 reverted back to First City.
Freedom of the City
1. Grahamstown 4th September 1962
2. Queenstown 25th January 1964
The regiment served in the South African Border War
from 1977 to 1986, and was also involved from 1983 until 1994 in Internal Operations.
In 2004 it was decided to rebuild First City and by 2006 the Regiment was training its own members as well as members of the Prince Alfred's Guard, The Buffalo Volunteer Rifles and Regiment Piet Retief these all being Eastern Cape Regiments. Many members have also been trained in Air Assault.
The Regiment has also sent members on UN & AU Peace Keeping Missions to the DRC, Burundi and the Sudan with a full company at present in the DRC.
2008 saw First City winning the Trophy for the Best Reserve Force Regiment in the SA Army Infantry Formation.The Regiment retained this award for 2009.
directly behind the void areas of the badge on
the Montrose Tartan the following is worn:
Scarlet - Officers and Warrant Officers
Blue - All other members
Maroon - All Airborne qualified members
The Officers & WO's wear a Diamond shaped Tartan
backing while the NCO's and Rfn wear a square
tartan backing.
Only a Green and Gold Hackle was worn during
his period.
FC/CTH
Officers & WO's wear the Gold metal Eppaulette
designation on the Red Tab.
NCO's & Rfn wear a Gold and Green cloth
shoulder title
The new Blue Glengarry with blue and white dicing has the Maroon tourie to symbolize the Regiments Airborne Roll. (Worn by Officers & WO's)
The Khaki Tam o' Shanter when worn by Air Assault members has a maroon tourie. (Worn by S/Sgt/Rfn)
The Officers and WO's when in service/Combat Dress wear the light Khaki Balmoral.
Old FCV Motto: "Virtute et opera"
(By Virtue and Deeds)
Old QVR Motto: "Semper Paratus"
(Always Ready)
1. Cadet Detachment No 3 Queens College
2. Cadet Detachment No 4 St Andrews College
3. Cadet Detachment No 6 Graeme College
4. Cadet Detachment No (Kingswood College)
Outstanding Battle Honour "South Africa 1879"
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the South African Army
South African Army
The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
unit.
History
The regiment was formed from the First City Volunteers of Grahamstown that were formed in 1875 in Grahamstown and the Queenstown Rifle Volunteers that were formed in 1883 in Queenstown and the .These Regiments were formed due to the unrest on the then Frontier.The QVR and the FCV fought in the Cape Frontier Wars 9th Frontier War (1877-1878), the QVR fought in the Morosi Campaign (1879). FCV fought in the Basutoland Gun War (1880-1881). The QVR and the FCV later fought in the Bechuanaland campaign (1897), and in the Second Boer War|Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).
On 1 July 1913, the QVR amalgamated with the FCV and was incorporated into the Citizen Force
Citizen Force
The Citizen Force was the name of the general military reserve force of several British Commonwealth countries.-Australian:Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and,...
of the new Union Defence Forces as the 4th Infantry (First Eastern Rifles). It served in German South West Africa 1914-1915.
However, in 1924 the First Eastern Rifles were renamed the 4th Infantry (First City). The numerical part of the title was dropped in 1932, making the regiment simply First City. First City is never called First City "Regiment" . When spoken of it is "The" First City.
In the mid 1930s, the regiment adopted Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
uniform
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
, including the Graham of Montrose
Clan Graham
Clan Graham is a Scottish clan who had territories in both the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands.-Origins:Legend has it that the first Graham was one Gramus who forced a breach in the Roman Antonine wall known as Graeme's Dyke in 420 A.D...
tartan
Tartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, FC served in the Madagascar campaign
Battle of Madagascar
The Battle of Madagascar was the Allied campaign to capture Vichy-French-controlled Madagascar during World War II. It began on 5 May 1942. Fighting did not cease until 6 November.-Geo-political:...
(1942). On 5 October 1943, First City, South Africa’s senior Scottish unit, was temporarily "married up" with the Cape Town Highlanders
Cape Town Highlanders Regiment
The Cape Town Highlanders Regiment is a mechanised infantry regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States Army National Guard unit.-History:...
to form the FC/CTH which was part of the 12th South African Motorised Brigade of the South African 6th Armoured Division. The “marriage” lasted until 8 May 1945. After completing its training in Egypt, the division landed at Taranto
Taranto
Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Taranto and is an important commercial port as well as the main Italian naval base....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
on 20 April 1944 and was fought exclusively in Italy during its existence. In 1946, the regiment was reconstituted as a component of the country’s part-time forces and reformed First City.
From 1954 to 1956, FC was amalgamated with the Kaffrarian Rifles
Kaffrarian Rifles
The Kaffrarian Rifles is an infantry regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States Army National Guard unit...
, known as First City/Kaffrarian Rifles. In 1956 reverted back to First City.
Freedom of the City
1. Grahamstown 4th September 1962
2. Queenstown 25th January 1964
The regiment served in the South African Border War
South African Border War
The South African Border War, commonly referred to as the Angolan Bush War in South Africa, was a conflict that took place from 1966 to 1989 in South-West Africa and Angola between South Africa and its allied forces on the one side and the Angolan government, South-West Africa People's...
from 1977 to 1986, and was also involved from 1983 until 1994 in Internal Operations.
In 2004 it was decided to rebuild First City and by 2006 the Regiment was training its own members as well as members of the Prince Alfred's Guard, The Buffalo Volunteer Rifles and Regiment Piet Retief these all being Eastern Cape Regiments. Many members have also been trained in Air Assault.
The Regiment has also sent members on UN & AU Peace Keeping Missions to the DRC, Burundi and the Sudan with a full company at present in the DRC.
2008 saw First City winning the Trophy for the Best Reserve Force Regiment in the SA Army Infantry Formation.The Regiment retained this award for 2009.
Regimental Symbols
- Badges:
- Bonny Badge: Silver Crest of Montrose
directly behind the void areas of the badge on
the Montrose Tartan the following is worn:
Scarlet - Officers and Warrant Officers
Blue - All other members
Maroon - All Airborne qualified members
The Officers & WO's wear a Diamond shaped Tartan
backing while the NCO's and Rfn wear a square
tartan backing.
-
- Cap badge backing (1935- ): Graham of Montrose tartan. 1935 to 1943 pale red hackle also worn.
- 1943 to 1945
- Cap badge backing (1935- ): Graham of Montrose tartan. 1935 to 1943 pale red hackle also worn.
Only a Green and Gold Hackle was worn during
his period.
FC/CTH
-
- Collar badge: Albany Leopard on a branch
- Shoulder & Epaulette title: "First City"
Officers & WO's wear the Gold metal Eppaulette
designation on the Red Tab.
NCO's & Rfn wear a Gold and Green cloth
shoulder title
- Headdress: Blue Balmoral bonnetBalmoral bonnetThe Balmoral is a traditional Scottish hat that can be worn as part of formal or informal Highland dress. Dating back to at least the 16th century, it takes the form of a knitted, soft wool cap with a flat crown...
with blue and white dicing, with a red tourie in 1935. The regiment’s HighlandScottish regimentA Scottish regiment is any regiment that at some time in its history has or had a name that referred to Scotland or some part, thereof, and adopted items of Scottish dress...
CompanyCompanyA company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
wore a Tam o’shanterTam o'shanter (hat)A Tam o' Shanter is a Scottish style hat originally worn by men. The hat is named after a character in a poem written by Robert Burns in 1790...
without the tourie from 1906-1913, while the pipersBagpipesBagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones, using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. Though the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and Irish uilleann pipes have the greatest international visibility, bagpipes of many different types come from...
wore a dark blue GlengarryGlengarryThe glengarry bonnet is a traditional boat-shaped hat without a peak made of thick-milled woollen material with a toorie on top, a rosette cockade on the left, and ribbons hanging down behind...
.
The new Blue Glengarry with blue and white dicing has the Maroon tourie to symbolize the Regiments Airborne Roll. (Worn by Officers & WO's)
The Khaki Tam o' Shanter when worn by Air Assault members has a maroon tourie. (Worn by S/Sgt/Rfn)
The Officers and WO's when in service/Combat Dress wear the light Khaki Balmoral.
- Tartan: Graham of Montrose. The Highland Company was kiltKiltThe kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...
ed in 1906, while the officerOfficer (armed forces)An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
s and warrant officers were allowed to wear trewsTrewsTrews are men's clothing for the legs and lower abdomen, a traditional form of tartan trousers from Scottish apparel...
from 1935 and the whole regiment was kilted in 1940. - Motto:
- New Motto: "Expecto" (be Alert/be Prepared/I await)
Old FCV Motto: "Virtute et opera"
(By Virtue and Deeds)
Old QVR Motto: "Semper Paratus"
(Always Ready)
Alliances
- British:
- The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment (from 1928 to 1958),then renamed The Royal Anglian Regiment (1958 to 1961).
- SA School Cadet Detachments:
1. Cadet Detachment No 3 Queens College
Queen's College (South Africa)
Queen's College is situated at the foot of the picturesque Stormberg Mountains in the pleasant Eastern Cape town of Queenstown. Established in 1858, it is the oldest school on the Border - a region famous for its fine schools...
2. Cadet Detachment No 4 St Andrews College
3. Cadet Detachment No 6 Graeme College
Graeme College
Graeme College is a public school located in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It caters for boys from Grade 1 to Grade 12 and offers both boarding and day options to its pupils...
4. Cadet Detachment No (Kingswood College)
Battle honours
- Gaika-Gcaleka 1877-78
- Basutoland 1880-81
- Bechuanaland 1897
- South Africa 1899-1902
- South West Africa 1914-15
- Madagascar 1942
- Italy 1944-45
- Paliano
- Casino II
- Chiusi
- Florence
- The Greve
- Gothic Line
- Monte Stanco
- Monte Pezza
- Sole/Caprara
- Po Valley
- SWA/Angola 1976-1989
Outstanding Battle Honour "South Africa 1879"