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| Title |
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| The Regiment was officially christened the First
Battalion Rhodesia Light Infantry however, the then Commanding Officer,
Lt. Colonel J. S. Salt, opposed this and by usage the name changed
to the First Battalion Rhodesian Light Infantry. |
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| Barracks |
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In April 1961, the Battalion moved from No. 1 Training
Unit in Bulawayo to a newly constructed barracks in the Salisbury
suburb of Cranbourne.
Cranbourne Barracks costing some 1 million pounds in 1960/61, was
the show piece of the Rhodesian Army, with overseas experts commenting
that it was one of the finest barracks of it’s type in the world.
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| History |
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1961 |
Raised at Bulawayo as a regular all white infantry
battalion of the Army of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. |
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1964 |
Converted to a Commando role with companies redesignated
as Commandos, and privates redesignated troopers. During the latter
part of the Rhodesian war, the RLI was made up of one quarter to
one third foreigner volunteers recruited in Britain, West Germany,
United States, Canada, Australia, France, Belgium, New Zealand and
South Africa. RLI remained an all-white unit until disbanded. |
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1980 |
Disbanded in October with Cranborne Barracks being
taken over by newly formed Zimbabwe National Army, 1st Commando
Bn. |
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| Battle Honours |
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| The RLI disbanded before formal battle honours could
be established however, below is a list of notable Operations in
which the men of the RLI took part |
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| Internal Operations – Rhodesia |
Special Operations - Mozambique
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| 1961 |
Op. |
Congo-bash |
1972 |
Op. |
Sable |
| 1966 |
Op. |
Yodel |
1976 |
Op. |
Mardon |
| 1967 |
Op. |
Nickel |
1977 |
Op. |
Dingo |
| 1968 |
Op. |
Cauldron |
1977 |
Op. |
Aztec |
| 1968 |
Op. |
Griffin |
1978 |
Op. |
Mascot |
| 1968 |
Op. |
Excess |
1978 |
Op. |
Inhibit |
| 1969 |
Op. |
Birch |
1978 |
Op. |
Chamber |
| 1979 |
Op. |
Uric |
1979 |
Op. |
Miracle |
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| Fireforce Operations – Rhodesia |
Special Operations - Zambia |
| 1972 |
Op.Area |
Hurricane |
1978 |
Op. |
Gatling |
| 1975 |
Op.Area |
Tangent |
1979 |
Op. |
Dice |
| 1976 |
Op.Area |
Thrasher |
1979 |
Op. |
Tepid |
| 1976 |
Op.Area |
Repulse |
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| 1977 |
Op.Area |
Grapple |
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| 1978 |
Op.Area |
Splinter |
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| 1979 |
Op.Area |
Salops |
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| Uniform & Badges |
| Uniform |
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The two main forms of RLI uniform were: |
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a. Rhodesian pattern camouflage shirt &
trousers, RLI Green & Silver Stable belt and, Green beret
with silver RLI Badge. |
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b. On formal occasions, RLI would wear their
dress “Greens”. |
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| Badges |
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PRE-Republic Beret Badge |
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The Pre-Republic RLI badge features a Lion
holding an Elephants Tusk, this being a symbol for Rhodesia
and, the traditional Light Infantry symbol of the Bugle
Horn & ribbon, surmounted by the Royal Crown and, with a
scroll underneath with the inscription “Rhodesian Light
Infantry”. |
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POST-Republic
Beret Badge |
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The Post-Republic RLI badge features a
Lion holding an Elephants Tusk, this being a symbol for
Rhodesia and, the traditional Light Infantry symbol of the
Bugle Horn & ribbon, surmounted by a Bow and, with a scroll
underneath with the inscription “Rhodesian Light Infantry”. |
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Badges were produced
in sterling silver for Officers and, anodised silver for
OR’s |
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RLI Parachute
Wings |
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Parachute wings were always worn on the
right arm. |
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The Rho. Army Shoulder Flash |
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The army flash was always worn on the right
arm. |
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2 Brigade Shoulder Flash |
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The Brigade flash was always worn on the
left arm. |
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| Mascot |
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| “Cheetah” also known as, “Trooper
Saint” |
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| Past Commanding
Officers |
| Colonel J. S. Salt |
01.02.1961 |
- 28.04.1963 |
| Brigadier R. A. Edwards, DSO, MC |
29-04.1963 |
- 30.11.1964 |
| Lt. General G. P. Walls, GLM, DCD, MBE |
01.12.1964 |
- 18.06.1967 |
| Colonel J. Caine, DMM |
19.06.1967 |
- 25.08.1968 |
| Lt. General J. S. V. Hickman, CLM, MC |
26.08.1968 |
- 28.06.1970 |
| Maj. General A. N. O. McIntyre, OLM, DCD |
29.06.1970 |
- 16.04.1973 |
| Lt. Colonel R. W. Southey, DMM |
28.05.1973 |
- 30-04.1974 |
| Colonel D. G. Parker |
01.05.1974 |
- 30.11.1975 |
| Brigadier P. S. Rich, DMM |
23.12.1975 |
- 03.07.1978 |
| Lt. Colonel I. R. Bate, MLM |
26.06.1978 |
- 03.12.1979 |
| Lt. Colonel J. C. W. Aust, MLM |
04.12.1979 |
- 31-10-1980 |
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| Honorary Colonels |
| 1960 |
General Edward Beumont Long, CBE |
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