Programme Notes: CTMT 2003
“The Cape Town Rifles (Dukes), the second oldest regiment in the South African Army, was established in 1855 and has been fighting South Africa’s wars ever since; it was one of the first infantry battalions to go on active service in World War II, during the crucial Abyssinian Campaign. Its regimental bandsmen in their traditional 19th century scarlet tunics and white pith helmets have been a familiar sight at Cape Town’s ceremonial occasions for generations. The Dukes Band is probably the only military band in the Commonwealth ever to have had a Victoria Cross recipient for a bandmaster – Bandmaster Tommy Rendle VC, a hero of World War I, who served in this capacity for many years.
Although composed entirely of part-time bandsmen, the Dukes band is nothing if not versatile in its repertoire, and is eminently suited to provide the incidental music at the Cape Town Military Tattoo.” (CTMT 2003)
Programme Notes: CTMT 2004
“The Cape Town Rifles (Dukes), whose members are taking place in the “Soldiers’ Race”, is the oldest Cape infantry regiment and the second-oldest in the South African Army. It was established in 1855 and has been fighting South Africa’s wars ever since. It served in local campaigns, then both on foot and on horseback throughout the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902, and sent many men to France and East Africa during World War I. When World War II broke out, it was one of the first infantry battalions to depart for the crucial Abyssinian Campaign, after which it went to the Western Desert. It has served in all subsequent campaigns.
Its best-known “trademark” is its traditional full dress of scarlet tunic and spiked white sun helmet, a familiar sight to generations of Capetonians, which is still worn today by the regimental band – which, unfortunately, is not taking place in this year’s tattoo.
The traditional nickname for members of the regiment is ‘Dukes’, because up to 1961, it was officially called the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Rifles. When it reverted to its original name on the advent of the republic, it requested, and received, permission to retain ‘Dukes’ in brackets, in perpetual remembrance of the name under which it had campaigned in so many of our wars.” (CTMT 2004)
Programme Notes: CTMT 2007
“The Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) is the oldest Cape infantry regiment and the second-oldest in the South African Army. It was established in 1855 and has been fighting South Africa’s wars ever since. It served in local campaigns, then both on foot and on horseback throughout the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902, and sent many men to France and East Africa during World War I. When World War II broke out, it was one of the first infantry battalions to depart for the crucial Abyssinian Campaign, after which it went to the Western Desert.
The traditional nickname for members of the regiment is ‘Dukes’, because up to 1961, it was officially called the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Rifles.” (CTMT 2007)
Programme Notes: CTMT 2008
“The Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) is the oldest Cape infantry regiment and the second-oldest in the South African Army. It was established in 1855 and has been fighting South Africa’s wars ever since. It served in local campaigns, then both on foot and on horseback throughout the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902, and sent many men to France and East Africa during World War I. When World War II broke out, it was one of the first infantry battalions to depart for the crucial Abyssinian Campaign, after which it went to the Western Desert.
The traditional nickname for members of the regiment is ‘Dukes’, because until 1961, it was officially called the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Rifles. When it reverted to its original name on the advent of South Africa becoming a republic, it requested, and received, permission to retain the name ‘Dukes’ in brackets, in perpetual remembrance of the name under which the regiment had campaigned in so many of our wars.” (CTMT 2008)
Programme Notes: CTMT 2010
“The Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) is the oldest Cape infantry regiment and the second-oldest in the South African Army. It was established in 1855 and has been fighting South Africa’s wars ever since. It served in local campaigns, originally both on foot and on horseback throughout the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902, and sent many men to France and East Africa during World War I. When World War II broke out, it was one of the first infantry battalions to depart for the crucial Abyssinian Campaign, after which it went on to fight in the Western Desert.
The Dukes Band has been part of the Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) for 155 years. They were formed a few months after the Regiment itself was established and their first performance was in 1856. This took place at the Grand Parade in Cape Town, at which the Governor of the Cape, Sir George Grey, inspected them.
The Dukes Band is the oldest surviving military band not only in South Africa, but also in the whole of Africa. The Director of Music is Captain L Taylor.” (CTMT 2010)
Additional Notes
(Added on 31 January 2021)
I received an inquiry from a curious reader, who asked whether I knew what the Cape Town Rifles (Dukes)’ Regimental March was. Fortunately, Mr Alan Brashaw, the Chairman of the Dukes Regimental Association, was able to furnish the following information:
“From the beginning, the band became an integral part of the unit and performed before appreciative audiences at military parades and public or private functions. It was much in demand in an era that enjoyed little public entertainment, and hiring out their services helped individual members to cover the costs of their instruments and travel. The lively tune ‘Maids of Kent’, which was adopted as the Regimental March, is also known as ‘The Buffs’ and was for a time the Regimental March of the Royal East Kent Regiment – renowned as ‘The Buffs’.”
A search on YouTube led me to the following renditions of this march, in case you are interested in what it sounds like. It is quite a jaunty, cheery tune:
Memories of the Cape Town Military Tattoo 