Transvaal Scottish Regiment
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The Transvaal Scottish Regiment 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.
History
John Murray, Marquis of Tullibardine, who later became the 7th Duke of Atholl, established the regiment after the conclusion of the Second Anglo-Boer War in 1902. Its initial membership consisted of volunteers from Scottish units that had fought in the war who chose to demobilise and remain in the colony.The regiment subsequently took part in all 20th-century conflicts in which the South African Army fought, including World War I, World War II and the South African Border War.
Regimental Symbols
- The regimental tartan is the "Murray of Atholl", except for the pipers who wear the "Murray of Tullibardine". Both tartans symbolise the regiment's connections to the Dukes of Atholl, and thus to the Atholl Highlanders. Since 1938, members have worn the red hackle on their khaki tam o'shanter as a symbol of the regiment's connection with the famous Black Watch Regiment. As part of their formal uniforms, officers and Warrant Officers Class I of the regiment carry claymores instead of the more typical swords.
- The regimental badge depicts a Scottish thistle on a scroll bearing the motto Alba nam Buadh (Gaelic for "Well done, Scotland" or "Scotland, home of the virtues"). It is surrounded by a heraldic strap and buckle bearing the regiment's name, all on the Star of the Order of the Thistle.
- The regimental March is the "Atholl Highlanders".
Battle honours
The Transvaal Scottish has the following battle honours on its regimental colours:- Natal, 1906
- South West Africa, 1914-1915
- East Africa, 1940 - 1941
- * El Wak
- * The Juba
- * Yonte
- * Diredawa
- * Combolcia
- * Amba Alagi
- Western Desert, 1941-1943
- * Sollum
- * Sidi Rezegh
- * Gazala
- * Alem Hamza
- * Acroma Keep
- * Alamein Defence
- * Mega
- * El Alamein
- Egypt 1916
- Somme 1916
- Delville Wood
- Arras 19l7
- Ypres 1917
- Menin Road
- Messines 1918
- Hindenburg Line
- Cambrai 1918
- Pursuit to Mons
- France and Flanders 1918
- Le Transloy
- Scarpe 1917
- Kemmel
- Lys
External links
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