Programme Notes: CTMT 2003
“1 Medical Battalion Group, based in Durban, is South Africa’s oldest existing military medical unit, tracing its ancestry back to the ambulance detachments of three Natal regiments, which were merged in 1895 to form the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps. When the new South African Medical Corps was established in 1913, the Natal medics provided three field ambulance units.
Two world wars and a variety of insurrections, disasters and other calamities later, 1 Medical Battalion Group (the current name dates from 1981) is still in place and functioning as a volunteer unit of the South African Military Health Service. It has a strong Scottish connection. It wears a flash of McKenzie tartan behind its headdress badges, is partly kilted and maintains a well-regarded pipe band, members of which have travelled to Cape Town under their own steam to take part in the tattoo.” (CTMT 2003)
Programme Notes: CTMT 2007
“1 Medical Battalion Group, SA Military Health Service, based in Durban, is South Africa’s oldest existing military medical unit, tracing its ancestry back to the ambulance detachments of three Natal volunteer regiments, which were merged in 1895 to form the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps. When the new South African Medical Corps was established in 1913, the Natal medics provided three field ambulance units. 1 Medical Battalion Group (the name dates from 1981) has a strong Scottish connection. It wears a flash of McKenzie tartan behind its headdress badges, is partly kilted and maintains a well-regarded pipe band.” (CTMT 2007)
Programme Notes: CTMT 2009
“The Group was established in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, as the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps in 1899. It consisted primarily of the ambulance detachments of the local KZN Units, which were started earlier, in 1895. In 1904 the group was renamed Natal Medical Corps. 1 Field Ambulance and 17 Field Ambulance amalgamated in 1981 to form what is now known as 1 Medical Battalion. The Unit has been wearing the MacKenzie tartan since 1939.
The band is based in Durban, South Africa, and consists primarily of civilians and reserve force members of the South African National Defence Force. We are also proud to mention our run of three consecutive Grade 3 SA Champion of Champions titles from 2006 to 2008 until our promotion to Grade 2 in 2009.” (CTMT 2009)
Programme Notes: CTMT 2010
“The Group was established in KwaZulu Natal (KZN), South Africa, as the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps in 1899.
It consisted primarily of the ambulance detachments of the local KZN Units, which were started earlier, in 1895. In 1904 the group was renamed Natal Medical Corps. 1 Field Ambulance and 17 Field Ambulance amalgamated in 1981 to form what is now known as 1 Medical Battalion. The Unit has been wearing the MacKenzie tartan since 1939.
The band is based in Durban, South Africa, and consists primarily of civilians and Reserve Force members of the South African National Defence Force. They are also extremely proud of their run of three consecutive Grade 3 SA Champion of Champions titles from 2006 to 2008 until their promotion to Grade 2 in 2009.” (CTMT 2010)
Programme Notes: CTMT 2012
“The Group was established in KwaZulu Natal (KZN), South Africa, as the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps in 1899.
It consisted primarily of the ambulance detachments of the local KZN Units, which were started earlier, in 1895. In 1904 the group was renamed Natal Medical Corps. 1 Field Ambulance and 17 Field Ambulance amalgamated in 1981 to form what is now known as 1 Medical Battalion. The Unit has been wearing the MacKenzie tartan since 1939.
The band is based in Durban, South Africa, and consists primarily of civilians and Reserve Force members of the South African National Defence Force. They are also extremely proud of their run of three consecutive Grade 3 SA Champion of Champions titles from 2006 to 2008 until their promotion to Grade 2 in 2009.” (CTMT 2012)
Programme Notes: CTMT 2014
“1 Medical Battalion is a Reserve Force unit of the South African Medical Health Services and is based in Durban. The unit inherited the traditions of 1 Field Ambulance and 17 Field Ambulance, which amalgamated in 1971. 1 Field Ambulance descends from the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps, which was first mobilised in 1899 for the Anglo-Boer War. A Scottish connection to the Seaforth Highlanders and the MacKenzie clan was established in recognition of the then Honorary Colonel, Dr Archibald MacKenzie and a square of MacKenzie tartan has been worn behind the cap badge since 1939. The Pipe Band was formed in 1990 and currently competes in the top South African Grade under the leadership of Pipe Major Rohann Ludick and Lead Drummer Dewar van Dyk.” (CTMT 2014)
Memories of the Cape Town Military Tattoo 