Ficksburg Commando

Ficksburg Commando
Ficksburg Commando
	Ficksburg Commando emblem
Disbanded	March 14, 2003 (21 years ago)
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Orange Free State Republic; Union of South Africa; Republic of South Africa; Republic of South Africa;
Branch	South African Army; South African Army;
Type	Infantry
Role	Light Infantry
Size	One Battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Corps; Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ	Ficksburg

Ficksburg Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

History

Origin

This commando can trace its origin to the Free State–Basotho Wars of 1858 -1868.

Operations

With the Orange Free State Republic

During the Anglo Boer War

The commando was again involved in the Anglo Boer War most notable being:

Elements of this commando was engaged at the battle of Magersfontein on 11 December 1899.
The Battle of Biddulphsberg in 1900.^[1]

Surrender

On the morning of 30 July 1900, General Hunter received the surrender of Commandants Prinsloo and Crowther of the Ficksburg Commando and the Ladybrand Commando. The surrender took place on what would become known as Surrender Hill in the Brandwater Basin.^[2]^[3]

With the UDF

By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.

By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.

By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

With the SADF

This commando was primarily used in this era for area force protection, border operations and stock theft control.

With the SANDF

Disbandment

This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.^[4]^[5] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.^[6]

Unit Insignia

SADF era Ficksburg Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership
From	Honorary Colonels	To
From	Commanding Officers	To
1900	Commandant Paul de Villiers	nd
From	Regimental Sergeants Major	To

References

^ "The Battle of Biddulphsberg". Archived from the original on 8 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
^ Amery, L S, ed. (1909). The Times History of the War in South Africa, 1899-1902. London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ The South African War Record of the 1st Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 1900-1902. Inverness. 1903.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.