SA Rifles / Service records help

Alex, in my eyes its the Capetown Highlanders.Looks like Amariya may not be a Piccadilly Circus. I would say its not. When i get my act together re my phone, then i will post some pages from The Cape Town Highlanders 1885-1970 by Neil Orpen. Should have it done before the weekends out.
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Amariya (not Amirya) gets a mention on page 118. Its from Chapter 7. First S.A. Land Forces in the Middle East. Looks like a spelling mistake on the service records

Regards,
Stu.

 

From SA Forces in The Second World War

“1 SA Division Headquarters opened in Egypt on the 4th May. 1941. The Division concentrated in the Amiriya area, and became responsible for the Nubiriya defence line, covering the Delta.

On the 24th May, 1 SA Division took over Mersa Matruh…”​

Amongst units in the Division at some time were 1st Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles, but in May 1941 they were fighting the Italians in East Africa. 1 Natal Mounted Rifles were also part of 1 SA Division (2 SA Inf Bde) but in May 1941 they were supporting 22 (East African) Inf Bde. I can’t see that any other unit with “Rifles” in their title were in 1 SA Division.

I'd go along with you Tim.

 

See also Service record help.

 

For what it's worth or not the Ellerman Line SS City of Canterbury departed Port Said for Durban on 22/5/41 - was she carrying the Capetown Highlanders and the Italian POWs? If so this might tie in with the short ten day attachment ending 22/5/41 when extra troops could have been needed moving POWs from a camp to the docks.

Tim

 

Here are the pages from 114-119. A paragraph from page 120 reads has follows; During the three days spent at Amariya, everyone had a chance to bathe in the Mediterranean and to visit Alexandria, which is (only) about 12 miles away from the camp site. Then, on 27th June, the Regiment set out by road in two convoys for Mersa Matruh, where 1 SA Div, had established its HQ.

It looks has if the Amariya Camp may have been between Alexandria, & Mersa Matruh? Or was it to the east of the former? Alex, you need to be looking at pages 118 & 119 for your Grandfather's period of 12.5.41 to 22.5.41. Hope this of use?







Regards,
Stu.

 

Interesting to note dissent in South Africa became disorder in late 1940 in Johannesburg. I can imagine the reaction of anti-war, mainly Afrikaner people to an English-speaking unit, the Cape Town Highlanders, being used to patrol the city.

 

Stu that's a brilliant record. That's my theory @ #25 out the window!

Tim

 

Chaps,
Absolutely outstanding help thanks so much. Until now I had no idea what S.A. units where there. I totally go with the theory the SA Rifles entry was just an entry without full knowledge of the exact unit.
So, working on the basis my Grandad was trained on the Bren and other MG / Anti Aircraft role weapons do we think he was on escort duties with a convoy to the motor pool? Or providing assistance with that S.A. units stretch of the line west of Alexandria?

 

Amiriya is just East of Alexandria. I think it’s now called Ameraya or such.

I meant West. It’s late and I’m tired!