South African units in World War I

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The Union of South Africa was a dominion of the British Empire created in 1910 by the union of the British colonies of Natal and the Cape, and the former Boer republics of Transvaal and Orange Free State which had become British colonies after the 2nd Anglo-Boer War. South Africa annexed German South-West Africa (now Namibia) in 1915.

See also Template:RefTLLT.


South African Overseas Expeditionary Force

Raised for overseas war service in 1914. Paid for by British government and technically an imperial force separate from pre-war South African forces. Also recruited in Rhodesia.

See also Wikipedia: South African Overseas Expeditionary Force.


Infantry brigades

The most up-to-date list is in Category:South African infantry brigades.

Infantry battalions

The most up-to-date list is in Category:South African infantry battalions.

Mounted units


There are probably some units missing from this list because they don't have war diaries. These will need to be added manually. The most up-to-date list is in Category:South African mounted units.

Cape Corps

Was this part of the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force or a separate imperial force?

See also Wikipedia: Cape Corps.


Labour corps

Were these part of the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force or separate imperial forces?

Union Defence Force

Created in 1912 for home defence and operations in nearby countries. Not legally allowed to operate overseas but fought against the 1914 Boer rebellion. Did it take part in the invasion and occupation of German South-West Africa?

We don't yet have a list of units, but the headings below show the branches.

See also Wikipedia: Union Defence Force (South Africa).

Active Citizen Force

Conscripted militia.

Defence Rifle Associations

Descended from the Boer Commandos. Part of the Active Citizen Force or separate?

Permanent Force

Full-time regular army.

Coast Garrison Force

Coastal artillery.

School Cadet Corps

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (South African Division)

Part-time naval reservists.