Defence Forces

Armed forces of the South African Republic (Transvaal) and Orange Free State, and allied Boer commandos, principally of the South African War (1899–1902). Distinct from British colonial units and from the later Union Defence Force.

Regiments of the four separate British colonies/republics (Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, Orange Free State) before the 1910 Union of South Africa, e.g. Boer War-era colonial units such as the Durban Light Infantry. Superseded by the Union Defence Force on 1 July 1912.

The Union Defence Force was established on 1 July 1912 under the South Africa Defence Act, 1912, after the Union of South Africa (1910). It brought together the colonial and Boer military forces of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and Orange Free State. The UDF served in the First World War (including German South-West Africa, East Africa, and the Western Front) and the Second World War. It was replaced by the South African Defence Force on 1 November 1957.

The South African Defence Force replaced the Union Defence Force on 1 November 1957. It comprised the Army, Air Force, Navy and later the South African Medical Service. National service (diensplig) ran for much of this period. The SADF fought the Border War in South West Africa and Angola (1966–1989) and was used internally in the later apartheid years. On 27 April 1994 it was amalgamated into the South African National Defence Force together with the TBVC homeland forces and the former guerrilla armies of Umkhonto we Sizwe and the Azanian People's Liberation Army.

Umbrella for the Rhodesian Army, Rhodesian Air Force, British South Africa Police (including Support Unit and Police Reserve Air Wing), Selous Scouts, Grey's Scouts, Internal Affairs, and related Rhodesian Security Forces of the Bush War (UDI 11 November 1965 to the end of the war roll 30 March 1980). Distinct from South African forces — never auto-derived as SADF/SANDF. Populated from Prop Geldenhuys, Rhodesian War Casualties (3rd printing, 2009), consolidating Dr J.R.T. Wood's internet roll and other sources.

The Ciskei Defence Force was formed in March 1981 from the South African Defence Force's 141 Battalion. Ciskei became a nominally independent homeland on 4 December 1981. The CDF was a separate statutory force from the SADF, with headquarters at Jong'umsobomvu (later Bhisho), two infantry battalions, and an air wing at Bulembu that included a parachute company. It was amalgamated into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994 when Ciskei was reincorporated into South Africa.

The South African National Defence Force was established on 27 April 1994 at the start of democratic government. It amalgamated the South African Defence Force, the defence forces of the TBVC homelands (Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei), Umkhonto we Sizwe, and the Azanian People's Liberation Army. It remains South Africa's current defence force.

South African Police (1913–1994). Catalogued as a Force — do not leave SAP casualties blank. Replaced by the South African Police Service in 1995. Distinct from UDF/SADF/SANDF and from South African Railway Police / prison services.

The South African Police Service replaced the South African Police in 1995. Used when the regiment is recorded as South African Police Service (SAPS).

South West African Police, including the Counter-Insurgency Wing Ops-K (Koevoet). Distinct from SWATF (SADF) and from SAP/SAPS. Used when the regiment is South West African Police, SWAPOL, or Koevoet.

Australian Imperial Force, Australian Military Forces, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Navy, and related Australian units. Used when the regiment is clearly Australian (e.g. Australian Field Artillery, Australian Infantry A.I.F.).

British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps, and British colonial African regiments administered as Imperial forces (King's African Rifles, Northern Rhodesia Regiment, Rhodesia Native Regiment, wartime Southern Rhodesian units before the Rhodesian Security Forces). Not used for South African or Bush War Rhodesian records.

Canadian Expeditionary Force, Canadian Infantry, Royal Canadian Air Force, and related Canadian units.

New Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and related New Zealand units.

British Indian Army, Royal Indian Air Force, Royal Indian Navy, and named Indian regiments (Gurkha, Rajput, Garhwal, etc.). Not used for South African Indian Bearer Corps.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Used when the regiment is recorded as Israeli Defence Forces.

United States Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. Not used for United States Merchant Marine.

German armed forces as recorded on this roll (e.g. German Air Service of the First World War).