South Africa - WW1 South African Heavy Artillery Bronzed Cap Badge

A die struck bronzed cap badge with two original loops to the reverse as worn by the South African Heavy Artillery, worn 1915 - 1919. This title on a tri-part scroll surmounted by a Springbok's head and crossed gun barrels. In very good condition. Circa 5.8cm wide and 4.5cm tall.

The South African contingent, which General Louis Botha offered in July 1915 for the war in Europe, consisted of 4 infantry battalions, 5 heavy artillery batteries, a general hospital and a signal company. The 5 heavy artillery batteries were affiliated to the British Royal Garrison Artillery as the 71st ( Transvaal ), 72nd ( Griqualand West ), 73rd ( Western Cape ), 74th ( Eastern Province ) and the 75th ( Natal ). Later a 6th battery, the 125th ( Transvaal ) was formed. All were armed with 6" howitzers.

The new force embarked at Cape Town between 28 August and 17 October 1915, and all units were in England by November. The artillery moved to camp at Bexhill.

In April and May 1916 the 5 original batteries landed at Le Havre, while the 125th followed in July. They were then deployed along the length and breadth of the Western front. They supported their countrymen of the S.A. Infantry on only three occasions, the 75th at Warlencourt ( lst Somme, October 1916), the 74th at Vimy Ridge (3rd Arras, spring 1917) and the 71st at 3rd Ypres (summer 1917). Late in 1917 and in early 1918 all these batteries were combined as the 44th ( 71st, 73rd and 125th SBs as well as 20th) in the 5th Army and 50th ( 72nd, 74th, and 75th SBs and 275th battery RGA ) brigades RGA.

B33.4

Code: 57469