TOPIC:

In the latter quarter of the 19th century the ZAR and OVS only had only two official uniformed corpses: The Police and the Artillery. For the defense against foreign aggression and unruly natives, the Republics relied largely on the “commando” structure under which male citizens could be conscripted for military duty when the need arose.

The Republican commando structure evolved on commercial grounds. The fiercely independent Boers did not like the concept of central government and paid little tax. Because of a lack of other substantial income sources, the Governments of the Republics were forced to operate on ridiculously small budgets, grossly insufficient to maintain a standing army. One of the reasons that the Republics were able to rely for their security on irregular forces was because the economy of the Republics was largely agriculture based. Because of soil- and climate conditions, especially cattle farming required extensive grounds. The Boers (and the by-woner families) on these large and remote farms were forced to become more or less self-sufficient, and that self-sufficiency extended to matters relating to security. To respond to cattle theft and other local menaces, a Boer could only rely on the men living on or near his farm. What made these extended family groups effective as a fighting force however, was that the men were natural horsemen and often great shots, they knew each other well, leadership followed existing, seniority-based relationships and/or earned merit, loyalty was beyond question and a strong communal sense of purpose provided all the motivation needed.

The commando structure on a national level was in essence a Government formalized and -organized compound of these armed “family” groups. Grosso Modo, these family groups formed “Corporalships” in the commando structure. A cluster of Corporalships formed a Wijk (Ward) and a collection of Wards formed a District or Commando, often named after the main town in the area (e.g. Krugersdorp Commando). The armies of the Republics consisted of Districts operating in conjunction with the mentioned uniformed units under a more or less centralized leadership.

The sufficiency of these Republican security arrangements came under threat with the discovery of gold deposits near Johannesburg. The discovery caused a mass influx of Uitlanders (foreigners) that overwhelmed the Boers and posed a direct threat to existing social fabric. This would probably have been manageable if it weren’t for the fact that these Uitlanders became a tool in the hands of the mining magnates who had grown rich digging up diamonds in OVS territory appropriated for their benefit by the British controlled Cape Colony. The magnates had quickly set their sights on the gold deposits around Johannesburg and, using their wealth and (media) connections, had little problem convincing Uitlanders, the British Government and British public that ownership of the ZAR was something they had always wanted. The bulk of the newly arrived Uitlanders settled in Johannesburg and surrounding towns. For obvious reasons, the male Boer population living in these towns (City Boers) had not developed the level of skills that made the so called “Veld Boers” such effective fighters. With that in mind -and recognizing that “Uitlander” related problems were becoming too large just for the Police forces to handle- a few concerned men in Johannesburg and surrounding towns took private initiatives to form militias to support local law enforcement. These trained, armed and uniformed volunteer corpses were officially recognized- and actively supported - by the ZAR Government under Kruger.

Probably the best known of these militias was the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps (JVC). Established in September 1894 by Staas Hubertus van Diggelen (1859 Axel, Netherlands- 1930 Johannesburg) a Dutchman by birth. Van Diggelen, who also financed the formation and (parts of the) operations of the unit, was raised by ZAR President Kruger in 1894 to the rank of Lt. Colonel and went on to serve as commander of the JVC. The exact men-strength of the JVC is apparently uncertain but must have numbered in the hundreds, with cavalry and infantry sections, an ambulance corps and other specialized units. Over the four and a half years of its existence (the volunteer corpses were disbanded in January 1899) the JVC gained a good reputation. (This sentiment was not universal, especially the English press was scathing, see Neville's follow up post)It was employed with maintaining law and order in and around Johannesburg and participated, successfully so it seems, in two notable military operations: The Jameson Raid/containing a threatening Uitlander uprising in Johannesburg (Dec 1895/Jan 1896) and the Swazieland expedition (1898). After the unit was disbanded, many JVC members made name for themselves in the Johannesburg Commando during the Boer War.

A number of badges are associated with the JVC. Because of the relatively small size of the unit and its short life span, all (genuine) JVC badges are rare.

Below a JVC slouch-hat badge from my collection (another example appeared in Neville’s post earlier in this thread). It features the original fastening-pin at the back.


Slouch hat with JVC badge affixed

(Courtesy: Easylive auction)


The beard-free infantry section of the JVC, a magnificent photograph coloured in by Tinus Le Roux. The man in black resting on the sable is i.m.o. the unit’s commander, Lt. Col Staas van Diggelen.



I think the photograph goes some way in solving the riddle from where Hugo Boss got his inspiration for the SS overcoats a few decades later.
Photo credit : Rory /Tinus le Roux

Here are three more photographs of the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps. They show how the slouch hat badge posted by Everhard above was worn close to the edge of the upturned brim, pinning the latter to the crown of the hat.






















The skull & crossbones also featured on the Volunteers' uniform buttons and belt buckles. A second type of slouch hat badge, in the form of a stand-alone skull & crossbones, is seen in some photographs of the JVC infantry wing (see below).






On display in the Ladysmith Siege Museum, this belt it attributed to the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps. However, I am not entirely convinced, as looking at the photograph above the buckle is different in several respects, the most notable being the shape and surface texture of the back plate. Also, the skull is much too big, obscuring the central part of the crossbones.







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Following on from the last two posts, here is a piece of horse furniture, in the form a Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps badge, which would have once adorned an S-type curb bit, as used by the cavalry wing of the regiment. The compressed oval shape sets these badges apart from the larger martingale insignia. Similar to other ZAR harness badges, these were made of cast brass and had stout fixing posts to the reverse.

























A British cavalry S-type curb bit from the same period, showing how the brass badges were attached to the steel, with the ends of the fixing posts hammered flat on the inside faces of the vertical “purchases” of the mouth-piece.








The photograph below depicts the officers of the Cavalerie & Infanterie-afdeelingen [Cavalry & Infantry wings] of the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps, with Lieutenant-Colonel Staas Hubertus van Diggelen seated in the centre. From the rank badges it can be seen that the lieutenant-colonel (two stars on a gold-braided Prussian collar), is flanked by a major (one star on a gold-braided collar) on the left, and two captains on the right. Standing are four full lieutenants and two second lieutenants.

Little has been written about the JVC, but an article by D.R. Forsyth, published in the September 1959 edition of Africana Notes and News, gives a brief history of the regiment. This photograph is reproduced opposite p. 267 with the caption “Johannesburg Vrijwilligers at Barberton. Seated Major Hall, Cmdt. Van Diggelen, Capt. Krause, Capt. Dorey”.





Major Hall, Commandant Van Diggelen and Captain Krause. Note the large ZAR star on van Diggelen’s sabretache, which appears to be similar to those worn by the Pretoria Volunteers on their helmets, as discussed HERE. Courtesy of Museum Africa.







After a detailed account of the establishment of the corps, drawing on official correspondence to be found amongst the papers of the Staatssekretaris, National Archives Repository, Pretoria, Forsyth continues:


JAMESON RAID.

To come back to late 1895, political unrest was felt in the Transvaal (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) particularly in Johannesburg and the Jameson Raid was soon to happen. The Standard and Diggers News, Johannesburg on Tuesday 31 December 1895, reported:

READY IF REQUIRED.

Pretoria (Special)
The different Commandants have received orders to have their men ready for action if required.

The same paper reported as follows on 1 January 1896:

JOHANNESBURG VOLUNTEERS.

The Johannesburg Volunteers met on Von Brandis Square yesterday afternoon and are holding themselves in readiness to preserve law and order.

On 2 January 1896 Jameson had surrendered at Doornkop (near Krugersdorp) and as far as can be ascertained the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps took no part in the actual action; but from information gleaned from one Leon Kooyker, I learn that Commandant van Diggelen and members of his mounted troops escorted Jameson and some of his followers, through the night, from Krugersdorp to Pretoria.

The Star on Friday 3 January 1896, Page 4, Col. 2 reported:

DR. JAMESON'S ARRIVAL AT PRETORIA.

Pretoria: Friday (Special)
The Volunteer Cavalry with 20 prisoners arrived in town late last night. Jameson, Willoughby and Col. White, the latter two in uniform, were brought in by Commandant Erasmus and party shortly after nine o'clock and located at the gaol. They look very haggard.

A further report on the same page of The Star reads:

Pretoria, Friday (Special).
The balance of Jamesons force some six hundred men, are close to town in charge of a strong escort. They will be camped on the commonage for the present.

By this time arrests of the Reform Committee had been made and on 20 January 1896, page 4, Col. 4 The Star reported, under heading:

HOW THE PRISONERS FARE CHEERFUL UNDER TRYING CONDITIONS.

. . . on reaching Pretoria Station an escort of Johannesburg Volunteers formed up and assumed a severely military order. They walked the prisoners down to the gaol, etc.

Although the Corps had seen no action in the Raid, they had proved their military worth and must have considerably assisted the Republican Government in maintaining law and order in Johannesburg.


CORPS UNIFORM.

At this stage it will not be out of place to describe the uniforms worn by the Corps.
This information was supplied to me on 30 January 1958 by Maj. H. de V. du Toit, Staff Officer Military Historical Section, Defence Headquarters, Pretoria, from an unpublished manuscript on Transvaal Volunteers by Dr. H. H. Curson of that Section.

JOHANNESBURG VRYWILLIGER CAVALERIE CORPS.

Full Dress Tunic. Material of black melton cloth with lining. Not only the six breast loops but also the edging of the tunic and cuffs and collar are of dark blue silk braid. One small white metal star (of the S.A.R. type) would indicate the rank of Second Lieutenant. There were no hooks and eyes, but inside flaps bore black buttons and buttonholes. J. W. de Jong of Amsterdam was the tailor.
Trousers of same material as tunic.
At the bottom of the leg was a strap passing below the arch of the boot. The double braid along the outside seam was also dark blue.
Breeches of same general pattern as trousers were worn with black field boots for mounted parades.

Details of the infantry uniform are not available.
Major G. Tylden writing in Africana Notes and News September 1956 Volume 12 No. 3, page 1 20, also mentions the uniform, which he describes as smart with aiguillettes. The field kit being of light mouse coloured cord as worn by the Staats Artillierie.


AFTER THE JAMESON RAID.

After the Jameson Raid van Diggelen spent some time in England where he was a witness in the trial that followed the Raid. The Corps, however, continued to function and on 17 December 1896 The Johannesburg Times reported as follows:

JOHANNESBURG VOLUNTEERS

A parade of the foot and mounted members of the Johannesburg Volunteer Force took place on Wednesday morning on the Union Ground.

The Volunteers, to the number of, from a spectator’s point of view, about 250 infantry and 80 mounted men, mustered in the Old Gaol Yard, and deployed from there to the well-known cricket and football ground. It is generally conceded that criticism of amateurs should be tempered with mercy, no matter what sphere of life may be represented. The Vrywilligers (as the Johannesburg Volunteers are called in the language of The State) have had the unenviable experience of drastic criticism from Press and public in the past. Perhaps in consequence of this much required indication of popular interest in the force, stringent investigations have been lately made into its composition. Men who had no idea of esprit-de-corps have of late been removed, and the prestige of the Johannesburg Volunteers has risen in the estimation of those who are broadminded enough to recognise that fact that the volunteer and militia movement is fostered in the United States Republic – to say nothing of what a solid benefit it is to Great Britain.

The Johannesburg volunteers are uniformed in a style which is thoroughly adapted to the exigencies of South African warfare, and if the uniform has nothing in common with the pomp and panoply of glorious war, as understood in Europe, it has the merit of being serviceable.

Amongst the officers and officials stationed at the saluting point in the Union Ground were Captain Schiel, Commandant v Dam, Landdrost Dietzsch. Mr Eric Peters, Lieutenant Adjutant of the foot corps who is most enthusiastic in the force, was also present. Various manoeuvres were gone through both by the foot and mounted men, and it cannot be denied that the infantry – which in a few months, if properly drilled, will be a credit to Transvaal militarism – are far and away more fit than the mounted men. The latter seemed to have no cohesion, had evidently not worked much together, and came in for severe and caustic criticism from the crowd. Time doubtless will work wonders with this irregular corps. The parade was on the whole a success, and considering the difficulties of getting the men together, reflects credit on the Officers, who have striven so hard to make the corps efficient. Before leaving the ground cheers were given by the volunteers for the Republic and for his Honour the President of the state.

Five weeks later (23 January 1897), the Johannesburg Weekly Times again reported on the activities of the corps on Page 7 under the following heading:

JOHANNESBURG VOLUNTEERS.

The Johannesburg Volunteers still exist in spite of the torrent of hard words that has, from time to time, been hurled at them. The weeding-out process, and the ordeal of reformation which the corps has lately undergone, will, it is hoped, bring the body as a whole into better favour in the eyes of the Johannesburg public than has hitherto been the case. The corps was practically formed for the protection of the town after the Reform fiasco of last January, and a short sketch of its development may prove interesting.
The chief cause of the Vrywilligers falling into popular disfavour was the indiscriminate enrolment of what may be termed the rag and tag, and bob-tail of continental Europe. In this connection it may be mentioned that when this enlistment of undesirable recruits took place matters political were in a most unsettled state; and it was considered advisable to get together as strong a force as possible on short notice. After a few months had elapsed, and things had quietened down, the officers found themselves face to face with the necessary duty, however unpleasant, of eliminating the many inferior members of what will in time become an efficient and useful body of men. The undesirable element was carefully weeded out with much discretion and today the composition of the force as a whole is vastly superior to what it was a year ago. Major L. E. van Diggelen has always strenuously exerted himself on behalf of the Volunteer Brigade and has made the men under his command realise that discipline is absolutely essential to success.

Regarding the strength of the force it is difficult to obtain accurate statistics but new members are constantly being added to the roll. All who join the Vrywilligers are bound to take the oath of allegiance to the Republic and swear in for a year. Since the force was re-organized some months ago the men have had strict orders to divest themselves of their arms and uniform immediately after any parade or drill.

A prominent officer assured our representative that both men and officers were most willing in the performance of their duties. He also stated that the rowdy element once so unpleasantly prominent, has ceased to exist. Some of the members are businessmen occupying important and responsible positions and the bulk of the corps consists of mechanics.

It became apparent from conversations with several of the officers and men that the present force of volunteers is desirous of becoming popular with the public of Johannesburg, and argue that they have as a body been misunderstood from the inception of the movement. The Johannesburg Volunteers would be the first to be called out to protect the town against either inside or outside interference. The efficiency and general bearing of the men is steadily improving and in the ranks are to be found many old soldiers who formerly served in various Continental armies, and have gone through hardships and vicissitudes of European warfare.

For the present successful administration of the Vrywilligers Acting-Commandant Van Diggelen is responsible and he has also done much to put the Corps on a sound financial footing. Major Gropp and Lieutenant Koomans are also to be commended for the energy they have shown in making the force as efficient as it has become of late.


SWAZILAND 1898.

During April 1898, the Chief lnduna Mbaba was treacherously murdered at Zomboti the seat of the Swazis, with the result that the Paramount Chief, Bunu, was called upon to account for the said deed. He, however, fled to British Zululand but was delivered up and was temporarily relieved of his position as chief of the Swazi nation. After an enquiry in September 1898 he was sentenced by the Government of the South African Republic to a fine of £500 sterling.

Bunu was then re-instated as Chief of the Swazis.

At that time Swaziland was administered by the Republican Government. Murder having been committed in territory under their jurisdiction the Republic had to carry out the investigation. The accused, however, had fled to British Territory and notes then passed between the Governor of Natal and the High Commissioner in Cape Town. In particular a telegram on 17 August 1898 which read:

Agreement between S.A. Republic and myself about Paramount Chief and his followers, now complete. They are to go in a body to Bremersdorp accompanied by officer of Natal Government and being met at border by escort sent by Government South African Republic, etc. etc.

On 27 December 1898, Mr. Chamberlain communicated inter alia from Downing Street to H.C. Sir W. F. Butler:

The situation with which Sir Alfred Milner had to deal was one of extreme difficulty. The inhabitants of Swaziland were greatly excited by the murder of MBABA. The Government of the S.A. Republic moved into that country a considerable body of armed troops stating that such a force was in their opinion necessary for the maintenance of order, etc. etc.

The troops that were moved into Swaziland in 1898 included the cavalry of the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps, commanded by Major B. A. Hall.


DISBANDED

The Corps was disbanded in 1899, and the Standard and Diggers News on Monday 20 February 1899 reported as follows (page 6 col. 5.):

The Disbanded Volunteers,
Meeting of Officers,
Presentation.
A very pleasant social gathering of the Officers of the now disbanded Johannesburg Volunteer Corps took place on Friday night at the Swiss College Gardens, Fox Street, the occasion being the presentation by the Corps to their ex-Commandant Lt. Col. S. H. v Diggelen etc. etc.
. . . In addition to the address a handsome medal was also presented to the Commandant, and a similar medal by the ex-Cavalry Division to Maj. Hall and Lt. Ochse.


THE LAST OF THE CORPS

Disbandment had apparently taken place on 1 January 1899. Shortly thereafter Col. S. H. v Diggelen was in England attending to his private affairs, and when war broke out on 11 October 1899, it was too late for him to return.

Tromp v Diggelen on page 64 of his book writes:
"Before the end of the month, I was to learn how the grand Johannesburg Vrywilliger Corps (trained and equipped at his own expense, by my father) had come to battle. S. H. called at the College to break the news to me. They had met the Lancers and the Hussars in mortal combat at Elandslaagte and defeated them. In so doing, most of the officers, who were all personal friends of ours, and all of whom had been unutterably kind to me when I was a weak little boy, were killed . . ."

Mr. v Diggelen's book seems inadvertently to indicate that the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps went into action at Elandslaagte as a unit. This is in conflict with the general trend of happenings at that time, for it would appear that the Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps was not resuscitated, but those who were commandeered, formed part of the Johannesburg Commando, and as such they went into action at Elandslaagte in 1899.







Below is a list of officers, complied on 23 March 1896:

COMMANDANT
Lieutenant-Colonel Staas Hubertus van Diggelen

STAFF
Captain-Adjutant W.A.J. van Diggelen
Captain-Quartermaster P. Dietzsche
Lieutenant Smith
Lieutenant P.A.J. Buning
Medical Officer Dr Thalmessinger
Medical Officer Dr Liebaert
Medical Officer Dr Daly
Medical Officer Dr Elsberger
Medical Officer Dr Goldberg
Medical Officer Dr A.J. van Niekerk
Medical Officer Dr van Leggelo
Pharmacist Lowenstein

INFANTRY

1st Battalion (1st, 2nd & 5th Companies)
Major L.E. van Diggelen (ex-Lieutenant, Royal Dutch Navy)
Lieutenant-Quartermaster Adolfs
Lieutenant-Quartermaster B. de R. Malraison
Infantry Instructor A. H. Koornans

No 1 Company
Captain-Commandant H. Staas
Lieutenant D.J.M. Aartsen
2nd Lieutenant Bakn
2nd Lieutenant Burchart

No 2 Company
Captain-Commandant Ch. Fâvre
Lieutenant Lafou
2nd Lieutenant J. Bellona
2nd Lieutenant J. Keller

No 5 Company
Captain-Commandant Joubert
Lieutenant B.G. Bartels
2nd Lieutenant H.H. von Gass
2nd Lieutenant James

2nd Battalion (3rd & 4th Companies)
Major A. Gropp
Lieutenant-Adjutant Eric Peters
Lieutenant-Quartermaster R. Titzck

No 3 Company
Captain-Commandant Glameijer
Lieutenant W. Fismer
2nd Lieutenant Rosenthal

No 4 Company
Captain-Commandant von Goeriz
Lieutenant P. Lüdert
2nd Lieutenant C.B.R. Zippe
2nd Lieutenant Saenger

CAVALRY

Major van Stripian Luïscius
Lieutenant-Quartermaster A.B. van Os

1st Squadron
Captain-Commandant B.A. Hall
Lieutenant Loery

2nd Squadron
Captain-Commandant S.D. de Wet
Lieutenant J.W.B. v. d. Riet
2nd Lieutenant Mellet
2nd Lieutenant J.P.A. Venter
2nd Lieutenant Serffontein

TELEGRAPH

1 Section
Lieutenant Morton

AMBULANCE

Medical Officer Dr Gorkom


As can be seen from the account above, during the first two years of its existence, the Corps came in for a considerable amount of criticism. The enrolment of “the rag and tag, and bob-tail of continental Europe”, led to radical reform in 1896, when this undesirable element was expelled from the regiment. This might explain why a roll of cavalry officers at the foot of an address to Lieutenant-Colonel van Diggelen, presented to him on the disbandment of the corps in January 1899, only includes one of those listed in March 1896.

CAVALRY

Captain-Adjutant W.A. van Diggelen
Captain (sic) S.D. de Wet
Captain (sic) Frank Dorey
Lieutenant-Adjutant E.R. Ochse
Lieutenant-Intendant F.L. Brostowski
Lieutenant-Quartermaster P. van Os
Lieutenant L. Mostert
Lieutenant G.D. van Zyl
Lieutenant G.P. Ceronio
2nd Lieutenant G. van Dyk Mathey
2nd Lieutenant J. Noothout
2nd Lieutenant J.A. Durr
2nd Lieutenant P. Lourens


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Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps slouch hat badge, as posted by Everhard above, together with two buttons (to scale).











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This complete ZARP or Staatsartillerie "crupper" recently arrived from Australia. I have already described a damaged example HERE.

Note the initials "AB", which have been cut into the leather by the original owner.





















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Neville, great to see a complete “staartriem”. I don’t know whether you have any contextual information about the crupper but a quick scan of the Bloemfontein Museum database gives three “AB” possibilities:

Arthur Baker, A Bekker and Alfred Board.

Of the ZARPS with multiple Christian names of which the first initial is an A there are seven:
Andries Johannes Basson, A.S. Beytel, Alfred John Bishop, Albertus Benjamin Booysen, Albertus Stefanus Bosman, Abraham Jacobus Botha and Andries Jacobus Burger.

To complicate matters, some Boers were referred to by their second or third initial.

Anyway, would be nice if this could be honed down to a single man. Good luck with the digging!