Sa special service battalion

SA Special Service Battalion Brass Cap Badge - both lugs in place  

  SA Army 1 Special Service Battalion Shoulder Flash 3 Pins Intact

Buy SPECIAL SERVICE BATTALION CAP,COLLARS & TITLES-ALL IN BRASS-WORN 1934-1942-LUGS COMPLETE for R170.00

    WWII SPECIAL SERVICE BATTALION TITLE BADGE The Special Service Battalion (SSB) is a South African military unit formed on 1 May 1933 under the patronage of Oswald Pirow, Minister of Defence. The object was to give training to youths, between the ages of 17 and 23, who, in the wake of the 1929 depression, could find no suitable employment on leaving school.   History Lt Col George E Brink was given the responsibility for establishing the battalion at Roberts Heights and was the first commanding officer. The SSB was established to save the youth from physical and moral degeneration caused by massive unemployment due to the Great Depression. The SSB was to teach the young men military discipline, fitness and various trades to enable them to be employed by the Department of Labour and Welfare. The SSB men received a salary of a shilling a day causing the SSB soon to be known as the "Bob a Day Battalion".  In 1934 detachments were also established for 100 trainees at Durban and 150 at Cape Town. Training included elementary military subjects and physical training. After a year of the young men usually found employment in government departments or with civilian employers. By 1936 the output of the SSB totalled about 2000 youths a year. In 1937 the South African Railways established at Roberts Heights a special school to prepare boys for the railways. In 1937 3788 youths passed through the ranks of the SSB. A total of 882 of them joined the Permanent Force.  With the expansion of the South African Air Force in 1937 the SSB provided 248 air apprentices for special training but, with the improvement in the economic situation, the waiting list to join the battalion had dwindled to almost nil.  With the outbreak of war in September 1939, members of the SSB were posted to units requiring immediate reinforcement to get on to a wartime basis. An example of this being the Coastal Artillery. In February 1940 a number of troops were transferred to the 1st and 2nd Field Force Battalions. These served with distinction in East Africa, Abyssinia and the Middle East as part of 1st South African Division.  SADF era 1 SSB Commemorative Letter In August 1941 all members of the SSB below the age of 18 were transferred to the Youth Training Brigade. The remainder formed an infantry battalion, which was converted to an armoured car commando in 1942.  In February 1943 the SSB, under Lt Col EG ('Papa') Brits, became part of the 11th SA Armoured Brigade. In March 1943 the Field Force Battalion was disbanded and other ranks and some of the officers were transferred to the SSB, thus providing a nucleus of battle-tested veterans.  The unit sailed for the Middle East with the 6th SA Armoured Division in April 1943. In 1944 the division crossed the Mediterranean Sea to take part in the Italian campaign. The regiment played a prominent part in numerous actions during the campaign.  In 1946, SSB was resuscitated as a Permanent Force unit and reorganised on a two-battalion basis with the 1st Battalion as an armoured unit and the 2nd Battalion infantry. The former became a training regiment in 1953 and the latter was renamed the 1 South African Infantry Battalion (1SAI) in 1951.   CONDITION:  Very Good. Lugs in tact. UNCLEANED. Sold as seen in the images. Images form part of the description.

             Shipping Can be combined please discuss with me     POSTAGE: See Shipping Tab for Postage Fees. I  pack all all items very securely which affects the size and weight of the package. I  always try to post within 3 working days where possible. will always keep buyer informed. Please Note: Postage fees are estimated on the size and weight of the package. ITEMS  Can Be Combined an I do accept COLLECTIONS on arrangement     ITEM Description -  SSB SDB Title SA Army  Special Service Battalion/ Spesiale Diens Betaljon 28x25mm CONDITION:      SOLD as FOUND - -Please see ALL IMAGES                                                                                                      

SADF 1 Special Service Battalion Plaque Cast metal plaque on Wood Base Dimensions of wood base 120mm x 160mm

 1 Special Service Battalion Flash, pins intact Nice condition, Postage SAPO R50, Postnet R100, will combine Fastway Couriers, anywhere in JHB/PTA or major centres R75     Will post overseas, UK R100

SSB/SDB Special Service Battalion -  Set of 4    ###   Silver Collection  on show from  6th  to   25th June, if you're an  Avid Collector of interesting pieces, Please  see our selection of around  20  items, ranging from  R150  to  R6,750.  ###   Please also note that  Axis Militaria   will be closing their auctions from 19:00 pm to 21:00 pm Monday Nights. (SAST, GMT+2)   

 SADF 1 Special Service Battalion (1 SSB) stable belt - Length: 78cm

SSB/SDB Special Service Battalion -  Set of 4    ###   Large   Lucite Badge Collection   on show from  17th July- 20th August Over   200 Badges   on show, ranging   from R35- R175   starting b id.   ###     Please also note that  Axis Militaria   will be closing their auctions from 19:00 pm to 21:00 pm Monday Nights. (SAST, GMT+2)   

 SADF 2 Special service battalion (2 SSB) with North West command tupperware flash

 dinnes 4422  1 Special Service Battalion arm flash, complete with pins, slight scratches as per pictures

 SADF 1 Special Service Battalion stable belt - Length 122 cm 

  1 Special Service Battalion Flash, pins intact Nice condition, all pins intact Postage SAPO R65, Postnet R110, will combine Fastway Couriers, anywhere in JHB/PTA or major centres R70   Will post overseas,      Paypal add 10% on total for Paypal fees - Bob Bucks is a better option

 SADF 1 Special Service battalion stable belt - Length with buckle 89 cm 

 SADF 2 Special Service Battalion stable belt with blue backing - Length: 79cm