South African Constabulary
The South African Constabulary (1900 – 1908) was a military organization disguised as a police force. Nevertheless, the British Army did not recognize it as a full partner in the war, despite the fact the SAC took part in many campaigns and experienced some hard fighting, as attested to by its casualty records and the list of honours and awards won by its members.
| South African Constabulary | |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Type | Army Police |
| Decorations | Victorian Cross |
The South African Constabulary (SAC) was a para-military police force raised by the British Army during the South African War also known as the Anglo-Boer War. The SAC was established in September 1900 after the siege of Mafikeng and the intention was to take over from British troops once peace had been enforced in the Transvaal and the Orange River Colonies. However, the conflict continued for longer than had been envisaged and the SAC became involved in combat rather than policing. [1] On 22 October 1900, Lord Roberts issued a proclamation known as Proclamation 24 which gave rise to the SAC and the proclamation under which it worked. At first, the force was organised in four divisions with each being commanded by a Colonel and one assistant. Three of the divisions were in the Transvaal and one in the Orange River Colony. Each division was subdivided into troops of 100 men, each commanded by a Captain and Lieutenant. [2]
Operations
The first Inspector General of the force was Major-General Robert Baden-Powell {1857-1941) who, earlier in the war, had been in command of British forces at the Siege of Mafeking. He was famous for his exceptional ability to organise the force from scratch in a short space of time. He managed to recruit a force from the two British colonies the Cape and Natal which had at this time formed part of a united South Africa. Baden-Powel also recruited men from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, Ceylon, England and Ireland.[3] From the time the Force was raised until the end of the War it was not able to undertake Police duties, but was employed as a Military Force under the Commander-in Chief, and was constantly engaged in field operations and on Blockhouse lines. The SAC had a medical corporal for each troop of one hundred men, whose function was first aid. There was a doctor allocated to any area where a number of troops might be stationed. South African Constabulary hospitals were established at each divisional headquarters. As the Force gradually dispersed over the country in small detachments, it was necessary, as District Surgeons and local Civil Hospitals were non-existent, to establish small South African Constabulary Hospitals in the Districts. [4]
End of War
Soon after the war had ended, orders were issued for the various Troops to take up their positions in the different colonies; as soon as they possibly could. In this way a network of posts and patrols was established in a very short space of time. This ensured that every farm was visited once a week, with the SAC patrolling in every direction, including the Portuguese and Tongaland frontiers. By the beginning of August 1902, 28 Districts, 64 Sub-Districts and 210 Stations were occupied and the force had over 10 000 men. [5]
In November 1902, peace was restored and the size of the force was subsequently reduced to 6 000 men. In 1903, further reductions took place and 5 000 Europeans in the force were estimated. In 1905 – 1906, the number was again reduced to 4 000 men. During that period, a Commission of enquiry was appointed which was to look into the administration and organisation of the force. The commission divided the force into two divisions in Transvaal and Orange River Colony – regarding police work. Titles were also changed from military characters to police; for example, Captains became Inspectors and Lieutenants became Sub-inspectors. During 1907-1908, further reductions were implemented. By May 1908, the force stood at 1 742 Europeans (1 068 from Transvaal and 674 from Orange River Colony). Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
Many members of the SAC made South Africa their permanent home. Records of these men are held at the National Archives of South Africa – giving comprehensive information including the physical description of the men, their date and place of birth, marital status, occupation, religion, and name and address of next of kin, including a list of promotions and transfers. The South African Constabulary was disbanded on 2 June 1908. [1]
References
- ^ a b "BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTABULARY". rhinoresearchsa.com. Rhino Research. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ Curtis, RS. "South African Units: South African Constabulary". AngloBoer War.com. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
- ^ Jeal, Tim (1989). Baden-Powell. London: Hutchinson. ISBN 0-09-170670-X. (Chapter 7, part 2),
- ^ Curtis, RS. "South African Units: South African Constabulary". AngloBoer War.com. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
- ^ Curtis, RS. "South African Units: South African Constabulary". AngloBoer War.com. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
External Links
- http://angloboerwarmuseum.com/Boer70zz8_poussette.html
- www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/boer/southafricaconstabulary_e.shtml
- www.angloboerwar.com/units/sac.htm
- www.angloboerwar.com/forces/army_canada.htm
- www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/boer/strathconahorse_e.shtml
- http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol121kk.html
- http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol155rw.html
 | This law enforcement–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |