Pretoria_Highlanders

Pretoria Highlanders

Pretoria Highlanders

Military unit

The Pretoria Highlanders Regiment[1] was a regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it had a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit.

Quick Facts Active, Disbanded ...

Though the regiment was disbanded,[citation needed] the associated pipe band continues to operate.

History

World War 2

The regiment was founded by Peter Lawrence Goudie on the outbreak of World War II in 1939. He recruited 1,400 men within six weeks and also raised the funds to equip them with Highland uniforms.

During World War II the regiment, as part of 7 South African Infantry Brigade, took part in "Operation Rose", the invasion of Madagascar by South African forces in June 1942. As far as is known, this is the first (and only) amphibious operation in which South African troops ever participated.

Post World War and into Border War

In 1946, the PH were converted to artillery and renamed 1 Anti-Tank Regiment (PH). When the Army was reorganised in 1960, for internal security duties, the regiment was converted to armour and reverted to its original name of Pretoria Highlanders.

The regiment was assigned to the 7th Division's 73 Motorised Brigade.

73 Brigade Pretoria Highlanders commemorative letter circa 1989

Pipe Band

An early band was established around the time of the regiment's formation. The post-war Pretoria Highlanders Pipes and Drums was established in 1979. It was disbanded in 2005, by which time it received no official defence force support. The band was re-established and held its first gathering on 13 April 2013.[2]

Officers Commanding

  • Cmdt Henk Kaal

Regimental Symbols

  • Uniform
    • Headdress: khaki Tam O'Shanter, black glengarry; Tourie (on both): bottle green.
    • Tartan: Hunting Stewart (kilt); Sporran: brown leather as working dress and silver/grey haired for mess dress .
    • Hose: khaki with tops of regimental tartan, green garter flashes.
  • Nickname: "Jacaranda Jocks" (Pretoria is known as "the Jacaranda City")

Previous Dress Insignia

SADF era Pretoria Highlanders insignia

Battle honours

  • Madagascar 1942

References

  1. [1]
    "South African Military History Society - Journal - Operation Rose - MADAGASCAR 1942".
  2. [2]
    "History – Pretoria Highlanders Pipes and Drums". www.pretoriahighlanders.co.za. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
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