Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment The Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment is a mechanised infantry regiment of the South African Army . As a reserve unit , it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States Army National Guard unit . History . The Witwatersrand Rifles ( often familiarly known as the " Wits Rifles " ) was formed on 1 May 1903 by members of the Railway Pioneer Regiment and the Rand Rifles , both of which had fought on the British side during the Second Anglo - Boer War of 1899 – 1902 . As befitted a regiment based from the gold - rich Witwatersrand region , it had a very close relationship with the mining establishment of the time ; and its cap badge further emphasised this link . The Regiment first saw action during the Bambata Rebellion of 1906 , when it deployed a contingent to ( the then ) Zululand . In 1907 the Regiment was further strengthened when it absorbed the Transvaal Light Infantry Regiment . The regiment was mobilised again when World War I broke out . The first action that it took part in was the South African invasion of German South West Africa ( now Namibia ) . After the successful conclusion of this campaign , virtually all members volunteered for overseas service . Most of the volunteers were consequently assigned to the 3rd South African Infantry Battalion . ( Due to the South African military law of the time , soldiers could not be forced to serve overseas , nor could existing military units be deployed there . ) The most well - known action that this unit took part in was the Battle of Delville Wood in the Somme . Other members of the regiment served in the Witwatersrand Rifles company of 7 South African Infantry Battalion ; this unit which served in German East Africa against the forces of General von Lettow Vorbeck . The inter - war years saw the Regiment deployed during the 1922 Rand Revolt , when rebellious South African Communist Party white miners attempted to overthrow the government of General Jan Smuts . In the early 1930s the Regiment affiliated with the Cameronians ( Scottish Rifles ) Regiment of the British Army . As a consequence , the Witwatersrand Rifles adopted the uniform and many of the traditions of this Scottish Lowland regiment . Despite the Cameronians ' disbandment in 1968 , the Wits Rifles still continues this heritage today . As a result of the outbreak of World War II in 1939 , the Regiment was expanded to two battalion s . However , due to the battalions being used to supply replacements in a piecemeal fashion to depleted South African units taking part in the North African Campaign , the Witwatersrand Rifles was only deployed as a coherent unit ( to Egypt ) in 1943 . During its service in North Africa , the Witwatersrand Rifles were amalgamated with Regiment de la Rey . This combined Regiment , nicknamed the " Royal Boere " , saw extensive action in Italy as part of the South African 6th Armoured Division , particularly at Monte Caprara and Monte Stanco . From 1970 until the first all - race democratic election in 1994 , the Regiment saw action in the South African Border War in South West Africa ( now Namibia ) and Angola as well as on the South Africa / Botswana border and in South African townships . During South Africa ' s second democratic election in 1999 , the Regiment deployed 180 volunteers in support of the South African Police Service ( SAPS ) . To re - establish and maintain the Witwatersrand Rifles ' Scottish links , the Regiment has formed an alliances with the Cameronians ( Scottish Rifles ) and the King ' s Own Scottish Borderers . Commanding Officers . RAILWAY PIONEER REGIMENT WITWATERSRAND RIFLES Colonel - in - Chief ( This Honorary post officially fell away in 1961 when the Union of South Africa became a Republic ) Honorary Colonels Honours and Affiliations . Battle honours . As a Rifle regiment , the Witwatersrand Rifles does not carry colours . Instead the honours banner are displayed on the pipes of the Pipe Major . The Witwatersrand Rifles has the following battle honours :