RSA (Post-1994): Natal Carbineers 150th Anniversary
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Form:
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Circular
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By:
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Gold Reef City Mint (?) |
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Date:
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2005 |
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Ref:
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Laidlaw: 1070;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 50.7 mm | Darkened Bronze | 51.7 gm | $12 |
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Edge:
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Plain.
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Obverse:
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Original emblem of the Natal Carbineers. Legend at the bottom: "Est. 15 JANUARY 1855".
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Reverse:
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Emblem of the Royal Natal Carbineers. In a rectangular frame on the left: "RNC 1936: on the right: "1961". Legend above: "NATAL CARBINEERS" and below: "150TH. ANNIVERSARY".
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Notes:
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The present-day Natal Carbineers is a reserve infantry regiment of the South African Defence Force. Based in Pietermaritzburg, it was established on 15 January 1855. The regiment was entitled the Royal Natal Carbineers in 1936, a title which remained in use until the South Africa became a republic in 1961.
The Natal Carbineers participated in all military campaigns in Natal including the Zulu War, the Boer War and the Natal Rebellion. During WW1 the regiment fought in German South West Africa and also in the suppression of the internal Maritz Rebellion of 1914. In WW2 they served in the campaigns in East Africa, the Western Desert and Italy. Sergeant Quentin Smythe earned the Victoria Cross on 5 June 1942 while on patrol from the Gazala Defence Line near Tobruk. In more recent times, the regiment was involved in counter-insurgency actions in South West Africa (now Namibia) and Angola.
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