Durban Light Infantry

Durban Light Infantry
SANDF Durban Light Infantry emblem
Active	May 1854 to present
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Union of South Africa  Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army  South African Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Motorised infantry
Size	One battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Formation Army Conventional Reserve
Garrison/HQ	DLI Avenue, Durban 29°50′50″S 31°0′57″E / 29.84722°S 31.01583°E / -29.84722; 31.01583
Motto(s)	Primus in Africa
Battle honours	South Africa 1879 South Africa 1899–1902 Relief of Ladysmith Natal 1906 South West Africa 1914–1915 Western Desert 1941–43 Bardia Gazala Alamein Defence Alamein Box El Alamein Italy 1944–45 Casino II Florence Gothic Line Monte Stanco Monte Pezza Sole/Caprara Po Valley
Commanders
Current commander	Lieut Col Z. Hangana
Honorary Colonel	Vacant Post
Insignia
Company level Insignia
SA Mechanised Infantry beret bar circa 1992

The Durban Light Infantry is a Motorised Infantry regiment of the South African Army. It lost its status as a Mechanised infantry regiment in 2010 in line with the rationalisation of resources. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit.^[1]

The full history of the regiment is recounted in an exhaustive but vivid and readable two-volume history by Lt.Col A.C.Martin, M.C.,V.D.,B.A.(Cape), Hon Ph.D (Natal). The first volume (368 pages) cover the period 1854-1934, and the second (487 pages) the period 1935-1960. The volumes are illustrated with over 100 photographs and maps.^[2][3]

The Regiment was formed as the D’Urban Volunteer Guard, in May 1854. In 1859 the unit became the Durban Rifle Guard. In 1873 the unit became known as the Royal Durban Rifles. In 1889 the unit became known as the Natal Royal Rifles (Left half Battalion). In 1895 it became the Durban Light Infantry.

On the constitution of the Union Defence Force in 1912, the Unit became the Durban Light Infantry, renamed the 1st Infantry, (Durban Light Infantry). In consequence the Unit was permitted to add to its badge "Primus in Africa", the motto retained by the unit today in recognition of its foundation.

In 1935, King George V conferred the title Royal on two Regiments being the Royal Durban Light Infantry and the Royal Natal Carbineers, as a recognition of their seniority and service.^[4]

In 1961 with the formation of the Republic, the title "Royal" was considered incompatible and the Regiment reverted to being the Durban Light Infantry.

At the centre of the 'Regimental Colour' is the badge worn by the Regiment since 1961. It consists of the recognised Infantry Silver Bugle with tassels and a shield with two wildebeest and a crown. The wildebeest are symbolic of the Province, while the crown retained as a traditional device is reminiscent of the title "Royal" bestowed upon the Regiment by King George V in 1935.

The words "Primus in Africa" are superimposed within a scroll.

The crest is composed of a lion passant guardant on three mounds – the centre mound being charged with a pyramid. The lion is symbolic of strength, courage and fortitude. The three mounds are symbolic of the battles fought in World War II – Monte Stanco, Monte Peza and Monte Sole/Caprara. The pyramid is symbolic of the 1941–1943 Egyptian Campaign.

The garland which surrounds the coloured badge comprises the Thistle of Scotland, the Tudor Rose of England and the Shamrock of Ireland – symbols taken from the old colour – and the other two flowers, the Protea, the National flower of South Africa, and the Strelitzia, the flower of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal).

Battle Honours

Awarded to Durban Light Infantry

1. South Africa, Anglo-Zulu War 1879
2. South Africa, Anglo-Boer War 1899–1902
3. Relief of Ladysmith 1900
4. Natal, Bambatha Rebellion 1906
5. South West Africa 1914–1915
6. East Africa 1916–1918
7. Rand Miners' Revolt 1922
8. World War II
   1. Western Desert 1941–1943 (See 1st SA Infantry Division)
   2. Bardia
   3. Gazala
   4. Alamein Defence
   5. Alamein Box
   6. El Alamein
   7. Italy 1944–1945
   8. Casino II
   9. Florence
   10. Gothic Line
   11. Monte Stanco
   12. Monte Pezza
   13. Sole/Caprara
   14. Po Valley
9. South West Africa – Namibia 1976–1994, five tours.
10. Internally in South Africa in support of the SAPS (SA. Police Service) in the following actions;
    1. 1949, 1960, 1961
    2. 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992 (mainly rural areas)
    3. 1994 Elections.
    4. 1996 Elections.
    5. 1999 Elections.
11. 2006 Op in Burundi. Detached members to Standing Army control structures.
12. 2007–2014. Internal operations.

The regimental headquarters of the DLI has been declared as a National Monument.^[6]

• 
  East Wing of the Drill Hall
• 
  Durban Light Infantry (DLI) HQ entrance detail of logo, Durban
• 
  RDLI Bowling Club Entrance
• 
  DLI Logo Window - Sgts Mess
• 
  DLI Consecrated Flag
• 
  DLI Clock Tower
• 
  DLI Clock Tower Plaque

The Regiment is being deployed in Africa, Burundi, DRC; in support of the United Nations and African Union mandate

All members of the Regiment are volunteers, with employment in the civilian roles, they fulfil their responsibilities and duties on top of their duties and responsibilities to their Families and Employers. An enormous commitment to the safety and security of the Republic of South Africa.

Training is mandatory with the current requirements of Equality and Equity in line with the SANDF Policy. The duration of training places an enormous pressure on members to get Employers to relieve them to attend the courses and training exercises.

Martin, Lieut Col A.C. MC VD BA (Cape) Hon.PhD (Natal) (1969). Durban Light Infantry: The History of the Durban Light Infantry Incorporating that of the Sixth South African Infantry, 1915 to 1917. DLI Headquarter Board.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) was published in 1969.^[1][4] It is out of print.

An illustrated history of the 150 years of the Regiment has been prepared by Prof. Brian Kearney, Mr Dave Matthews and Lieut Col "Bill" Olivier SM MMM JCD (Retd.). The book is being sold by the Headquarters Board.

•  United Kingdom – The Rifle Brigade 1920.
•  United Kingdom – The Royal Green Jackets RGJ 1966

• Record of the Durban Light Infantry