Chief Makhanda Regiment

The regiment was formed from the First City Volunteers (FCV) of Grahamstown that were formed in 1875 in Grahamstown{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/standardencyclop0004unse |title=Standard encyclopaedia of Southern Africa / 4 Dev - For |date=1971 |location=Cape Town |publisher= Nasou |isbn=978-0-625-00320-4}}{{rp|540}} and the Queenstown Rifle Volunteers (QVR) that were formed in 1860 (Re-raised 1883) in Queenstown and these regiments were formed due to the unrest on the then frontier.

The QVR and the FCV fought in the Cape Frontier Wars and the 9th Frontier War (1877–1878).{{rp|540}} The QVR fought in the Morosi Campaign (1879). The FCV fought in the Basutoland Gun War (1880–1881).{{rp|540}} The QVR and the FCV later fought in the Bechuanaland campaign (1897), and in the Second Boer War (1899–1902).{{rp|540}}{{cite web|url=http://www.justdone.co.za/SAMU/Info_Units.php?UnitID=176|title=Unit Info First City Regiment|website=South African Military Units|access-date=10 November 2017|archive-date=2 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002215939/http://www.justdone.co.za/SAMU/Info_Units.php?UnitID=176|url-status=dead}}

On 1 July 1913, the QVR amalgamated with the FCV and was incorporated into the Citizen Force of the new Union Defence Force as the 4th Infantry (First Eastern Rifles).{{rp|540}} It served in German South-West Africa 1914–1915.{{rp|540}}

However, in 1924 the First Eastern Rifles were renamed the 4th Infantry (First City).{{rp|540}} The numerical part of the title was dropped in 1932, making the regiment simply First City.{{rp|540}}

In the mid-1930s, the regiment adopted Scottish uniform, including the Graham of Montrose tartan.

During World War II, FC served in the Madagascar campaign (1942).{{rp|540}} On 5 October 1943, First City, South Africa's senior Scottish unit, was temporarily "married up" with the Cape Town Highlanders to form the FC/CTH which was part of the 12th South African Motorised Brigade of the South African 6th Armoured Division.{{rp|540}} The "marriage" lasted until 8 May 1945. After completing its training in Egypt, the division landed at Taranto, Italy on 20 April 1944 and fought exclusively in Italy during its existence.{{rp|540}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rothwell.force9.co.uk/6SAdiv.htm|title=6 SA Armoured Div|access-date=10 November 2017}} In 1946, the regiment was reconstituted as a component of the country's part-time forces and reformed First City.

From 1954 to 1956, FC was amalgamated with the Kaffrarian Rifles, known as First City/Kaffrarian Rifles. In 1956 it reverted to being called First City.

The regiment served in the South African Border War from 1977 to 1986, and was also involved from 1983 until 1994 in Internal Operations.{{clarify|date=May 2016}}

The regiment was affiliated with 84 Motorised Brigade, part of 8th Armoured Division.

In 2004 it was decided to rebuild First City and by 2006 the regiment was training its own members as well as members of the Prince Alfred's Guard, The Buffalo Volunteer Rifles and Regiment Piet Retief these all being Eastern Cape regiments. Many members have also been trained in Air Assault. The Regiment has also sent members on UN & AU peace keeping missions to the DRC, Burundi and the Sudan.

2008 saw First City winning the trophy for the best reserve force regiment in the SA Army Infantry Formation. The regiment retained this award for 2009.

In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.{{cite news|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/new-reserve-force-unit-names/|title=New Reserve Force unit names|publisher=defenceWeb|date=7 August 2019|access-date=9 January 2021}} The First City became the Chief Makhanda Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.{{cite news|url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/renaming-process-has-resulted-in-an-army-structure-that-truly-represents-sa-30856190|title=Renaming process has resulted in an Army structure that truly represents SA|date=16 August 2019|publisher=IOL|access-date=9 January 2020}}

{{Badge Display|AirAssault|100px|float=right}}

• Bonny Badge: silver crest of Montrose; directly behind the void areas of the badge on the Montrose tartan the following is worn:
• Scarlet – officers and warrant officers
• Blue – All other members
• Maroon – All Airborne qualified members
• The officers & WOs wear a diamond-shaped tartan backing, while the NCOs and Rfn wear a square tartan backing.
• Cap badge backing (1935– ): Graham of Montrose tartan. 1935 to 1943 pale red hackle also worn.
• 1943 to 1945 only a green and gold hackle was worn during this period. FC/CTH
• Collar badge: albany leopard on a branch
• Shoulder & epaulette title: "First City"
• Officers & WOs wear the gold metal epaulette designation on the red tab.
• NCOs & Rfn wear a gold and green cloth shoulder title

File:Flash-FC-1924-1935.svg - First City Regiment - 1924 - 1935]]

File:SADF era First City Regiment insignia.jpg

Blue Balmoral bonnet with blue and white dicing, with a red toorie in 1935. The regiment's Highland company wore a Tam o'shanter without the toorie from 1906 to 1913, while the pipers wore a dark blue Glengarry.

The new blue glengarry with blue and white dicing has the Maroon toorie to symbolise the regiment's airborne role. (Worn by officers & WOs)

The khaki tam o'shanter when worn by air assault members has a maroon toorie. (Worn by S/Sgt/Rfn)

The officers and WOs when in service/combat dress wear the light khaki balmoral.

Graham of Montrose. The highland company was kilted in 1906, while the officers and warrant officers were allowed to wear trews from 1935 and the whole regiment was kilted in 1940.

New motto: "Expecto" (be alert/be prepared/I await)

• Old FCV Motto: Virtute et opera (By Virtue and Deeds)
• Old QVR Motto: Semper Paratus (Always Ready)

File:SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia.jpg

• British: The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment (from 1928 to 1958),{{rp|540}} then renamed The Royal Anglian Regiment (1958 to 1961).

{{BattleHonour|country=ZAR|caption=Battle honours{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/wars/bhx-za.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708211417/http://www.regiments.org/wars/bhx-za.htm|archive-date=8 Jul 2007|title=Chronological Index of South African Battle Honours since 1945}}|

Gaika_Gcaleka_1877|

Basutoland_1880_81|

Bechuanaland_1897|

South_Africa_1899_1902|

South_West_Africa_1914_1915|

Madagascar_1942|

Italy_1944_45|

Paliano|

Casino_II|

Chiusi|

Florence|

The_Greve|

Gothic_Line|

Monte_Stanco|

Monte_Pezza|

Sole_Caprara|

Po_Valley|

South_West_Africa_Angola_1976_1989|

}}

{{BattleHonour|country=ZAR|caption=|Title=Outstanding|

South_Africa_1879|

}}

{{Post-start|caption=Leadership|float=}}

{{Post-header|post-name=Colonel-in-Chief}}

{{Post-member|from-date=1935|post-incumbent=The Duke of Kent, Maj Gen, Prince George {{Postnominals|country=GBR|KG|CG|MC|GCVO}}{{efn|Duke of Kent killed when aircraft crashed}}|to-date=1942}}

{{Post-member|from-date=1946|post-incumbent=The Duke of Montrose {{Postnominals|country=GBR|KT|CB|KVO}}|to-date=1961}}

{{Post-header|post-name=Honorary Colonel}}

{{Post-member|from-date=1989|post-incumbent=Brig Gen A C Chemaly {{Post-nominals|country=ZAR|SM|MMM|JCD}}|to-date=2009}}

{{Post-member|from-date=2009|post-incumbent=Col Cecil Peter Jones-Phillipson {{Post-nominals|country=ZAR|SM}}|to-date=Present}}

{{Post-header|post-name=Commanding Officer}}

{{Post-member|from-date=2017|post-incumbent= Acting Maj Robin Collins|to-date=Present}}

{{Post-header|post-name=Regimental Sergeants Major}}

{{Post-member|from-date=2003|post-incumbent=MWO Craig Stuart Brown {{Post-nominals|country=ZAR|MMM|JCD}} |to-date=2013}}

{{End}}

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{{SAArmy Units}}

Category:Infantry regiments of South Africa

Category:Military units and formations in Grahamstown

Category:1875 establishments in the British Empire

Category:Military history of South Africa

Category:Military units and formations of the Second Boer War

Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire

Category:Military units and formations of South Africa in the Border War

Category:Military units and formations established in 1875