Military Heraldry

IN its broadest sense, the heraldry used by the military forces in South Africa includes a variety of items, not all of which are strictly armorial. This page covers only arm-of-service emblems, unit coats of arms, air force unit badges, naval ships' badges, helmet flashes, Colours, and tartans. Cap badges, proficiency badges, rank insignia, aircraft markings, and flags are excluded (you'll find extensive discussion of the flags on the Flags of the World website).

Pre-Union forces

---

There are a few examples of early military heraldry during the colonial era preceding the Union of South africa in 1910.

Cape of Good Hope — The Dutch garrison, established in 1652, had a colour/standard by 1662. The first militia unit was presented with a blue silk standard in 1664, and later units received different coloured standards. They may have borne designs - certainly the green standard approved for the Free Corps in 1787 did. It depicted a sword-wielding hand emerging from a cloud, with the motto pro patria. This device seems to have been used in several armies at that time.

Two items of silverware from the 1780s suggest that the militia may have used unit coats of arms. One, with an inscription referring to the Burgher Artillery, displays an oval crowned shield depicting a hand holding a sword. The other is a gorget, made for Ensign Nicolaas von Wielligh in 1788, which displays a rococo shield bearing the figure of Hope.

Zululand — The Zulu kingdom, which existed as a state from c1816 to 1879, had a proto-heraldic system of identifying individual military units (amabutho). Its equipment included almond-shaped oxhide shields, whose colours indicated the relative seniority and battle experience of units. Newly formed units' shields were dark, but as they gained experience over the years, lighter patches were added to create a pied pattern - the lighter the shield surface, the greater the experience and seniority. The king, as supreme commander, bore a shield that was entirely white.

Top

SA (National) Defence Force

---

The Union Defence Forces (later South African Defence Force), were formed in 1912-13 and eventually consisted of the SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy, and SA Medical Service, under a central Defence Headquarters. In the 1970s, '80s and early '90s, each of the four independent homelands had its own military organisation: the Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei, and Venda Defence Forces. In 1994, the homeland defence forces and the two 'non-statutory' liberation armies (Azanian People's Liberation Army and Umkhonto weSizwe) were integrated into the SADF, and the organisation was renamed the SA National Defence Force.

Arm of service emblems 1966-2003 and 2003-

Arm-of-service emblems — The SA (National) Defence Force and each of its component services have distinguishing emblems. The SADF emblem, introduced in 1966, depicted crossed swords superimposed on a pair of wings superimposed on an anchor. It was depicted on a background representing the ground plan of the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town, and later the emblems of the individual services were placed on similarly shaped devices..

The present emblems were introduced in 2003. The background is now a roundel engrailed of nine points (presumably alluding to the nine provinces), and while the air force and military health service retained their existing devices, the others were given new designs. The SANDF emblem depicts four assegais and two crossed swords behind a pair of bull's horns, alluding to a traditional African battlefield formation.

Heraldry Sub-Directorate — Until 1954, the management of military heraldry seems to have been rather haphazard. From c1910 to 1949, the defence forces had access to - but didn't always use - the services of the Inspector of Regimental Colours at the College of Arms, and from 1930 they paid him an annual retainer. From 1949 to 1954, the defence forces reportedly relied on amateur consultants. Finally, in 1954, the Military Archives, which had been established the previous year, was made responsible for heraldry, and the staff officer in charge, Capt Heinrich du Toit, was trained at the College of Arms. He directed defence force heraldry until his retirement in 1977, and then continued as a consultant.

Over the years, the heraldry section has moved around the defence force organisation. It moved to military intelligence with Du Toit in 1964, to the quartermaster-general's branch in 1977, and to the logistics division in 1989. It currently falls under the defence secretariat. At one time, the section was called the Central Heraldic Section, but it is now referred to as the Heraldry Sub-Directorate. Evidently, the section comprises a staff officer (currently a lieutenant-colonel) in charge, some artists and, no doubt, some administrative personnel.

National Colour — From 1988 to 1994, each SA Defence Force unit carried (or was entitled to carry) a National Colour, in addition to any unit Colour that it might have. The National Colour was the (1928-94) national flag, in square format, fringed in gold, with a golden protea flower atop the finial.

Top

South African Army

---

The SA Army dates from 1912; its present organisation was established in 1994, by merging the four homeland armies and the two liberation armies into the 'old' SA Army. From 1951 to 2000, the Army's emblem was a golden springbok head. Since 2000, it has been a 'pride of lions' design. Since 1973, it has been displayed on stylised shapes conforming to the prevailing pattern for arm-of-service emblems.

Colours — The Army continued the British-style system of King's and Regimental Colours previously used by the colonial forces. A standard pattern (no pun intended) was laid down for Union Defence Forces colours in 1931, and another for commando unit colours in 1938. The present pattern, dating from the early 1960s, uses the arm-of-service colour as the background, and has the unit badge or other emblem in the centre, surrounded by a wreath and golden scrolls bearing battle honours. From 1988 to 1994, units carried the National Colour.

The 1938 commando unit colours displayed emblems to identify the units. Although they weren't coats of arms, they were designed according to heraldic principles, some being based on the municipal arms of the units' home towns. Some of the devices were revived as the basis of unit arms ('shoulder flashes') in the 1970s and '80s.

A few helmet flashes:
Staff (from 1936); Artillery (from 1935); Air Force; Engineers (from 1928); Signals; Service Corps; Medical; Veterinary; Military Police (from 1939)

Helmet flashes — The practice of wearing coloured cloth patches on the khaki helmet arose in the British and colonial forces during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). The Union Defence Forces made it systematic in 1923: flashes were standardised as rectangles in arm-of-service colours, and Citizen Force units' flashes also indicated the provinces in which they were based. Helmet flashes became obsolete when helmets were discontinued during World War II, but many of the branch colours and some of the patterns have survived in present-day unit arms, and in the enamelled metal bars which Army personnel wear below their unit badges on their berets.

Shoulder flashes — In 1940, the Army introduced green and yellow cloth sleeve patches of different shapes to identify its different combat divisions. The shape identified the formation: diamond (1st SA Division), roundel (2nd SA Division), rectangle (3rd SA Division), and triangle (6th SA Armoured Division).

Tartans — Since the 1850s, a number of units have adopted Scottish traditions, including the wearing of kilts. Fourteen different tartans have been worn over the years:

• Ancient Cameron of Erracht: Light Horse Regiment Band (1987- )
• Black Stewart: Rietfontein Commando Band
• Black Watch: Durban Light Infantry (1890s)
• Cameron: Prince Alfred's Guard (1874-1913
• Campbell of Argyll: Scotch Volunteer Rifle Corps (1859-66)
• Douglas: Natal Mounted Rifles Band; Witwatersrand Rifles (1939- )
• Dress Blue Thomson: Johannesburg South Regiment Band
• Gordon: Cape Town Highlanders (1885- ); Kimberley Scots (1890s)
• Graham of Montrose: First City (1905- )
• Hunting Stewart: Pretoria Highlanders (1939-97)
• MacKenzie: Kaffrarian Rifles (1903-13); Kimberley Regiment; 1 Medical Battalion Group (1940- )
• Murray of Atholl: Transvaal Scottish (1902- ); SA Scottish (1915-19)
• Murray of Tullibardine: Transvaal Scottish Band
• Royal Stewart: Cape Field Artillery Band.

Unit coats of arms — The modern system of unit coats of arms dates from 1965, when the Army introduced armorial shields to identify units and formations. Hundreds have been designed since then. In the artillery, infantry, armoured corps, and commandos, each unit has an individual flash, whereas in most of the supporting branches, there is a generic design which is simply differenced for each unit by adding its number or some other charge. You'll find a selection of unit coats of arms here.

Top

South African Air Force

---

The SA Air Force, established in 1920/21, was a branch of the Army until 1951. The official emblem, since c1949 is a golden fish eagle. Until 1959, it was displayed on a crowned wreath of protea flowers, with the SAAF motto per aspera ad astra below. Since 1981, it has been displayed on stylised shapes conforming to the prevailing pattern for arm-of-service emblems.

27 Squadron Colour

Colours — Squadron Colours were introduced in 1967. The field is sky blue (or steel blue), fringed with gold. There is a spray of protea flowers in each corner, and in the centre is the squadron's badge or arms above its number, surrounded by the battle honours on golden scrolls. The finial atop the staff is a golden eagle. From 1988 to 1994, SAAF units also carried the National Colour.

Unit badges — During World War II, many units and headquarters, particularly training schools which were run jointly with the Royal Air Force, adopted pictorial badges. They were displayed in RAF-style frames. Some alluded to the SA/UK collaboration by including charges such as a springbok and a lion, or an ox-wagon and a rose. Some alluded to the home base, e.g. a diamond for 21 Air School at Kimberley, and an ostrich for 45 AS at Oudtshoorn. The badge of 4 AS, which flew Moth aircraft, depicted a moth.

After the war, the SAAF adopted the standard RAF-style frame (a crowned blue circular frame, inscribed with the unit's name, and wreathed in golden laurel leaves, with a motto scroll below), but gave it a South African flavour by replacing the laurel wreath with protea flowers and leaves. This format was used by most, if not all, units until the late 1950s.

Unit coats of arms — In the 1960s, the SAAF began to introduce unit coats of arms, to replace the system of non-heraldic badges that had been used since World War II. Most units have individual badges, but for command HQs, security squadrons, and air reserve squadrons, there are generic designs which are simply differenced for individual units. You'll find a selection of unit coats of arms here.

Top

South African Navy

---

The SA Navy was founded in 1922. It has had several names over the years: SA Naval Service (1922-39), Seaward Defence Force (1939-42), SA Naval Forces (1942-51), and SA Navy (1951- ). Like many other Commonwealth navies, the SAN has been heavily influenced by the Royal Navy, and its heraldry reflects that influence. From 1949 to 2003, the SAN emblem was the 'navy lion', i.e. the crest of the (old) national coat of arms. Since 2003, it has been an anchor surmounted by the secretary bird crest of the new national arms. Since 1981, the emblems have been displayed on stylised shapes conforming to the prevailing pattern for arm-of-service emblems.

Colours — A Naval Colour, consisting of the SAN white ensign with a gold fringe, was introduced in 1969. From 1988 to 1994, SAN units also carried the National Colour.

Ships' badges — During World War II, a few ships and shore establishments adopted ships' badges. This was formalised, along Royal Navy lines, after the war, and since then more than a hundred badges have been designed. Until 1971, badges were always individual, but since then class badges have been designed for some classes of ships, and they are simply differenced for individual vessels.

Badges are displayed in stylised frames of golden cable, ensigned of a name plaque, which is ensigned of a naval crown (until the mid-1950s), the 'navy lion' (mid-1950s - 2003), or the secretary bird crest from the national arms (2003- ). Diamond-shaped frames were used in the 1940s, but they were changed to circular frames in the 1950s. Navy HQ and the former regional commands had pentagonal frames, and one of the reserve units had a shield-shaped frame.

You'll find a selection of ships' badges here.

Top

SA Military Health Service

---

The South African Military Health Service, formerly called the SA Medical Service, was formed in 1968 by centralising the Army, Air Force, and Navy medical branches. It was given equal status with the other three services in 1979. The traditional Rod of Aesculapius has been the emblem of the military medical services since early in the 20th century. Since 1978, it has been displayed on stylised shapes conforming to the prevailing pattern for arm-of-service emblems.

Colours — SAMHS units have carried unit Colours since 1984. From 1988 to 1994, units also carried the National Colour.

Unit coats of arms — Unit coats of arms were adopted in 1970, and are worn on the sleeves, as shoulder flashes. Until the early 1980s, they were displayed on heater-shaped shields with convex upper edges, and most were the same design: two cobras entwined around a staff) with the unit's initials or number above the staff. Since the 1980s, the shields have been the ordinary heater shape, and there has been a greater variety in designs. Murrey (maroon) is the predominant colour. You'll find a selection of unit coats of arms here.

Top

Homeland defence forces

---

BDF Military School;
Ciskei Special Forces;
1 Transkei Battalion

The Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei, and Venda homelands had their own small defence forces. They used unit coats of arms, few, if any, of which survived the incorporation of the forces into the SA Army in 1994.

Bophuthatswana — The Bophuthatswana Defence Force, which existed from 1979 to 1994, had a relatively extensive system of unit arms. BDF HQ and each unit had its own arms, each bearing a single charge. Several featured animal heads and/or BaTswana traditional weapons. Green and orange (the BDF colours) predominated, sometimes at the expense of the 'rule of tincture'.

Ciskei — The Ciskei Defence Force, which existed from 1981 to 1994, had at least two unit coats of arms. 1 Ciskei Battalion's depicted the CDF's descending eagle emblem. The Special Forces Unit, formed in 1991, had arms depicting a parachute, a dagger, and two crane-bird feathers (a Xhosa symbol of bravery) on a khaki field; these appear to be the only arms to use this colour.

Transkei — The Transkei Defence Force, which existed from 1976 to 1994, had arms for TDF HQ and at least three units. 1 Transkei Battalion's depicted the number 1 against the colours of the Transkei flag. The Special Forces' arms depicted a commando dagger. The Mounted Battalion's arms featured a horseshoe.

Venda — The Venda Defence Force existed from 1982 to 1994. It had arms for VDF HQ, the three military bases, and some units. The bases' arms all depicted the VDF elephant head badge, with a chief bearing the name of the base.

Top

South West Africa Territory Force

---

In 1980, SADF units that were based in South West Africa were formed into a SWA Territory Force, which was controlled by the SWA administrator-general. The SWATF ceased to exist in 1989/90.

SWA Logistics Brigade

The SWATF inherited the SA Army's system of unit coats of arms, worn as shoulder flashes, but applied its own rules. SWATF HQ, each sector HQ, and each brigade had its own arms. Each sector HQ's arms had a principal charge and a chief displaying three diamonds charged with gemsbok heads. Commando ('area force') units within each sector added to their arms a chief bearing the principal charge from the sector HQ's arms. Units in the logistics brigade added to their arms a chief bearing the charges from the brigade arms (two diamonds and an escarbuncle). Units within 91 SWA Brigade divided their arms per bend, with the brigade arms (a gold lion rampant on light blue) in chief and a unit device in base.

Top

Legal protection

---

SA (National) Defence Force insignia are doubly protected against unauthorised use, in that they are covered by both the Defence Act and heraldry legislation.

Several regimental badges, and defence force sports jersey and badges, were registered under the Protection of Names, Uniforms & Badges Act between 1936 and 1963. The Defence Act 1957, which was brought into operation in 1958, made the unauthorised wearing of SA Defence Force uniforms and insignia an offence punishable by a stiff fine or six months imprisonment. The current Defence Act 2002 has increased the prison term to five years. When the Heraldry Act was introduced in 1963, SADF insignia, as official emblems, automatically qualified for registration at the Bureau of Heraldry - actual registration commenced in 1965.

The registration process differs from that for civilian heraldic representations. When designing a new device, the heraldry section checks with the Bureau to make sure that it doesn't duplicate any existing registered design. The section then prepares an art card, containing a colour painting, which is signed off at the various levels of the military chain of command, by the defence force heraldry section, and the National Herald. A copy of the card is deposited at the Bureau and incorporated into the register. No notices are published in the Government Gazette, and no registration certificate is issued. The only official publication on the subject is a list of units which have registered items over the years.

Top

Sources/References