Title   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.    Barracks   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.    History       1961 Raised at Bulawayo as a regular all white infantry battalion of the Army of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.       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.       1980 Disbanded in October with Cranborne Barracks being taken over by newly formed Zimbabwe National Army, 1st Commando Bn.    Battle Honours   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   Internal Operations – Rhodesia Special Operations - Mozambique 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             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       1977 Op.Area Grapple       1978 Op.Area Splinter       1979 Op.Area Salops                    Uniform & Badges Uniform     The two main forms of RLI uniform were: a. Rhodesian pattern camouflage shirt & trousers, RLI Green & Silver Stable belt and, Green beret with silver RLI Badge.     b. On formal occasions, RLI would wear their dress “Greens”.     Badges   PRE-Republic Beret Badge   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”. POST-Republic Beret Badge   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”.         Badges were produced in sterling silver for Officers and, anodised silver for OR’s     RLI Parachute Wings   Parachute wings were always worn on the right arm.     The Rho. Army Shoulder Flash   The army flash was always worn on the right arm.     2 Brigade Shoulder Flash   The Brigade flash was always worn on the left arm.    Mascot   “Cheetah” also known as, “Trooper Saint”    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  Honorary Colonels 1960 General Edward Beumont Long, CBE